January 27, 2017/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Endangered: Silver Spring Library by Rhees Burket

The mid-century modern Silver Spring Library by noted local architect Rhees Evans Burket, AIA, is facing an uncertain future. The county has put out a request for proposals from developers to turn the site into senior housing and child day care facilities through either incorporating the existing building or knocking it down and starting from scratch. Local activists, including the Silver Spring Historical Society (SSHS), are urging any development plan to integrate the existing structure into the future design. Proposals are due Feb. 28.

A vintage rendering of the low-slung library. Courtesy of the Silver Spring Historical Society.

“Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘organic modernism,’ ‘in harmony with nature,’ his 1957 S.S. Library of stone and glass and brick, integrated into the hilly landscape, was the largest County library at the time., ” the SSHS said in a statement. “This public building is Burket’s legacy to Silver Spring and Montgomery County.”

An original clock inside.

Burket (1899-1963), a Silver Spring resident, was a noted architect in the D.C. area for his homes, commercial and public buildings, including schools. His Stratford School in Arlington, Va., is on the National Register of Historic Properties.

May 1, 2012/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Modern Snapshot: Silver Spring’s American National Bank Building

When you walk into the lobby of the former American National Bank Building in Silver Spring you think ‘Mad Men.’ The preserved mid-century lobby (terrazzo floors and marble walls) evokes Manhattan mid-century skyscrapers featured prominently on the show. I learned more about this building and others from Montgomery County historic preservation planners who have begun exploring, analyzing and recording local mid-century modern buildings and communities. Their project is called Montgomery Modern.

A recent recent post by Clare Lise Kelly focuses on the building now known as the Zalco Building, which features green porcelain panels that recall Gordon Bunshaft’s groundbreaking 1952 Lever House in New York City. “Designed by architect Edwin Weihe in 1960, the American National Bank Building, at 8701 Georgia Avenue, is a fine example of an International style office building,” Kelly writes. “When it opened in 1961, it was the tallest building in Silver Spring and featured several design innovations.”

So make sure to follow and help support the endeavors of Montgomery Modern as the team works to document and preserve the mid-century modern architecture throughout the county.

August 24, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Mid-Century Modern Office Space: Silver Spring’s Technical Service Park

On the new season of “Mad Men,” Don Draper and the rest of the crew have new digs in the Wallace Harrison-designed Time-Life Building. Anyone looking for their own mid-century office space? I came across Technical Service Park on Linden Lane in Silver Spring a few weeks ago by chance. I’m glad I did. When I first saw the office building with its vintage stone sign and concrete screen block decorated exterior walls, I thought I had taken a detour to LA, Palm Springs or Vegas. If anyone is looking for office space in a mid-century modern building, you can see what is available here (scroll down to the Silver Spring listings.) If you’re not looking for office, at least you can enjoy the pictures of the this well-preserved (at least on the outside) local mid-century commercial space. Speaking of Harrison, stay tuned for a report on my visit to his Empire State Plaza in Albany.

April 17, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Open Houses in Rock Creek Woods

This 5/3 Goodman listed at $585K is open 1 to 4 on Sunday.

While the peak of the neighborhood’s cherry blossoms may have passed, there is still good reason to head to Rock Creek Woods on Sunday (April 18): two open houses. A For Sale By Owner offered at $550K that I posted here is open from 1 to 3 p.m. This new listing for a 5/3 updated Charles Goodman (pictured above) with with two patios and koi pond is listed at $585K and open from 1 to 4 p.m.

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