THEN & NOW -- Drummond's First Houses & Surprise Find

While we were driving looking for Don's first built houses we came across this very interesting house near 53rd and Woodland, KC, MO. The moment we saw it was "holy cow!" It was a fine example of the Chicago Style of Prairie School of Architecture. At first glance, it resembled the brick massing of Frank Lloyd Wright's 1902 Dana Thomas house in Springfield, Ill. (pictured last -- different budget!). Click on the image to enlarge.
The fine styling was definitely from a studied hand. After doing some research, I found the architect was Earnest O. Brostrom. (He designed some notable buildings in KC in the Prairie idiom, we will revisit him later.) This house was built in 1915, it was 25 years old when the black and white photo was taken. (In 1940 Kansas City took photos of all built structures for tax purposes.) The exterior appears to be in good shape with fine brickwork. Note the Wrightian planters and flaired roof lines at the fascia. I guess when the trees grew large enough the awnings were no longer needed. Click on the image to enlarge...to be continued...

Modern Photo of the Week - KC Lustron Home

Name: Lustron Home
Architect: Beckman and Blass with Engineer, Carl Strandlund
Year Designed: 1946
Builder: Lustron with unknown local dealer/builder

Year Built: Between 1948 and 1950
Size: Unknown
Location: Kansas City, MO (Valentine Area)
Type: Residential
Style: "One-Story Modified Ranch Style"

Post WWII Prefab Steel Construction
Status: Good
Photographer: Robert McLaughlin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moderns-r-us/3082074943/

More info:

http://www.lustronconnection.org/

http://www.lustronregistry.org/

http://www.lustronpreservation.org/

http://strandlund.tripod.com/~Strandlund/

http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/ons/CPHDOnsHistoricPreservationLustron.aspx

KCMODERN and Houston's FLW Thaxton House

On a road trip to sister Marilyn's house in Tomball, Texas over Thanksgiving, we stopped by the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Houston. It was built in 1954 by William Thaxton, an insurance executive, for $125,000. FLW received a $25,000 fee. It is in an exclusive area of Houston called Bunker Hill Village on a picturesque 1.2 acre lot. Most of the original houses have been torn down and McMansions now reside on every street. In 1991, within days of the scheduled tear down, it sold to a doctor who saved the house. The original house, which was a parallelogram of 1800 square feet, was saved, the courtyard and the pool were all left original except for a doorway on each end of the house which was cut to a new 10,000 square foot addition. The addition wrapped around the courtyard from each end of the house.

The design on the gate was the best indication it was a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

Speeding along the Oklahoma Turnpike, speed limit of 75 (woohoo!!), we saw the famous Vinita McDonald's Golden Arches on I-44. Built originally as a Howard Johnsons, it was converted into a McDonald's. The golden arches stretch across the entire road. It claimed to be the largest McDonald's until the Russians built one bigger which has been rumored to have contributed towards the end of the Cold War. Charles Phoenix take note!

THEN & NOW -- Drummond's First Houses

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I have reason to count my blessings, but I don't think 2008 has been such a great year, so bring on 2009! Okay, sorry about that, back to our cruise of Don Drummond's first houses. . .

Don's in-laws' asked him and his wife, Francie, to design and build them a house near Arno and State Line, KCMO. This would be 1949. They wanted to downsize and customize a house to their lifestyles. The result, as you see here, is a two-story structure, (he built few two stories) of board and brick. An understated facade with exposed structure and a modern sensibility with lots of large windows, especially on the rear or southside. Note the larger glazed area on the second floor for northern light to help facilitate Mrs. Woodruff's painting.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THIS AREA WITHOUT A SKYSCAPE OF TREES-
Amazingly, it's in a neighborhood active in build ups, blow outs and insensitive additions, the house exterior remains intact. Even the diamond leaded windows and one car garage. The homes' simple lines and natural use of materials gives it a unique distinctiveness in a typical traditional neighborhood.
Next we drove by these houses in Prairie Village on 79th Street and Colonial. These houses are versions of the house plan featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Called the "Home for You in '52"(actually building them since 1950, with it's success, it was considered an important ranch house design). Designed by Francie Drummond with help from architect, Gier Sloan( He's another story Robert or I will go into) "as suggested by Miller Nichols" of JC Nichols Real Estate Co., who had a strong opinion about how houses should look in his developments.

Awesome tree! Must have been 25-30 years old in vintage photo...don't you love it that you can see the garage on the house on the next street in the background. You get a real feel for the "first-ring" suburbs. Almost looks the same, though no door shutters, and the door has been altered with a sidelight( probably an 80's thing) typical Drummond low chimney.
There were numerous variations of this plan: straightline, as depicted here, L-shaped,2-3 bedroom, 1 car or 2 car garage, dining room, multipurpose room, slab/basement, etc. . . I never saw an original 4 bedroom example. This was the most sought after house plan Drummond built or should I say Drummond built more of this house plan than any other.


Talk about a "skyscape"! Prairie Village is a city of trees, but at one time builders sold lots with "views" of the city, nature, etc. The most striking thing to me is the garage door replacement with a "manufactured" door with raised panels, ugh! The easiest way to impact a "period" home is with poor choices of doors and windows...

Interesting similarities in the grammar to the Woodruffs' house are the stained vertical board siding (often "pecky" cypress or redwood), ribbon windows, kitchen in front and Francie's penchant for function with a "service" entrance into the kitchen area. . . Did I miss anything on my comparisons -- would love to hear your comments. . . to be continued. . .

Bonus Modern Photo of the Week - More of Katz Drug

Since we missed posting a photo of the week last week and since we are on the topic of Katz Drug, I thought that I would present you with this vintage image of the mid-town Katz. Don't you just love that neon sign? I would love to see a color shot of that Katz Cat lit up. See the image below for the details on this building.

Modern Photo of the Week - Katz Drug

Name: Katz Drug

(most recently Osco Drug, before that it was a Skaggs Drug)

Architect: Clarence Kivett

(Later a Partner in the firm, Kivett and Myers)

Year Designed: 1934

Builder: Unknown

Year Built: early 1934

Location: Main Street & Westport Road, Kansas City, MO

Type: Commercial Retail

Style: Streamline Moderne, Art Deco

Status: Unoccupied, For Sale and Endangered

Photo by: Robert McLaughlin

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moderns-r-us/212525582/in/set-72157603396737354/

The premiere Katz Drug Store (#9) location at Main and Westport Road was about to be the setting for the latest crime against Modern Architecture in Kansas City. The recent purchase of the Osco Drug chain by CVS Drugs, and the proximity to another CVS drugstore, had left that location's future in question.

The midtown location was one of the first buildings designed by Clarence Kivett in 1934 and it became the first in long line of buildings designed by Kivett and Myers for the Katz Drug chain, owned by Kivett's uncles, Isaac and Michael Katz. It seems that particular building has received a stay of execution as CVS has not sold the building yet and it has recently been successfully added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Landmarks.

This building is a wonderful demonstration of the late Streamline Moderne Style. Alan Hess, architect and author of Googie called it a classic example of "building as billboard," with its masonry and neon clock pylon marking Main Street for miles in either direction.

Saarinen Icon to be Open to the Public

It is hard enough to find a house designed by Architect, Eero Saarinen, never mind finding one that you can visit and tour. That is all about to change. The Miller House is about to join the ranks of a handful of modernist houses such as Fallingwater that are open to the public.

The Miller House, designed for late J. Irwin Miller, former chairman and co-founder of the Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana has been given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art by the Miller family. After a brief freshening-up the museum plans to open the modern house for tours in a town known as a destination for modern architecture junkies.

Mr. Miller gained fame among Modernists when he started the Cummins Foundation, "a charitable program which helps subsidize a large number of architectural projects throughout the city by up-and-coming engineers and architects." The first of these projects was the First Christian Church designed by Eero's father Eliel Saarinen in 1942. In 1954, Eero would design the Irwin Union Bank which was recently designated as one of the rare modern National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Service. The younger Saarinen also built the Columbus North Christian Church in 1955 before designing the J. Irwin Miller Residence in 1957.

The Irwin residence is also highlighted by modern gardens designed by Landscape architect Dan Kiley (Kiley designed the west gardens of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of art) and interiors designed by Alexander Girard.

I, for one, am planning a trip to see the house as soon as it opens. This could be our first KCMODERN bus tour to see the house and other modern landmarks around the city of Columbus, Indiana.

Indy Star - November 18 article

Indy Star - November 19 article

LA Times - November 18 article

THEN & NOW -- Drummond's First Houses

Don Drummond, a builder of a significant number of modern homes in Kansas City, started building in 1947 after returning from the Navy's Engineering Corps where he oversaw building of various Miltary base housing projects during WWII. The black and white photos were provided by Don. He built his first fifteen houses in the 2900 block of E. 52nd St., Kansas City, MO. The only houses that were vacant or in differed condition were the ones from the vintage photos.

These homes were designed by Don. He said he was having difficulty getting building permits when his father-in-law, the honorable Judge Woodruff said "order the concrete." Must have been a "Pendergast thing". . . he got his permits. Then he ran into difficulty when an "early" buyer was Italian and the "Mortgage Man" said "no one else will want to move in. . . reconsider." This was before Fair Housing. These houses narrowly missed destruction when the Bruce R. Watkins Trafficway was constructed a block away to the west. These photos attest to the difficulty of revitalization of certain neighborhoods during these economic times. . . to be continued. . .

Modern Photo of the Week - KG&E Building Wichita, Kansas

Name: KG&E Building, Kansas Gas and Electric Company
Architect:
Year Designed: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
Year Built: 1954
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Type: Office Building
Style: International Style
Status: Standing, but altered
Photographer: Howard Eastwood from
http://www.wichitaphotos.org/

I do not know much about this building, but I cannot help thinking that the designer was well aware of the work of William Lescaze, the designer of the PSFS Building in Philadelphia, the first International Style skyscraper. I recall being amazed by the KG&E building as a child when going with my mother to a meeting in one of the conference rooms. She worked for another electric company as a home economist, teaching women how to cook on their new electric stoves. The thing that was the most memorable to me was the lighting fixtures and aluminum detailing in the lobby and on the exterior of the ground floor. I wonder if that is still there.

American Cars - Hope they stay around!

Watching the Detroit bailout saga reminded me of a recent email I received. Growing up in the 50's and 60's was a great time to appreciate cars. How times and styles have changed.

1951 Chrysler K310
The 1951 K-310 was the second of the Ghia-built Chrysler concept cars designed under the watchful eye of company styling director Virgil Exner.

1953 Buick Wildcat
A special brochure handed out at the Motorama explained the philosophy behind the Wildcat: "Buick by-passes time and tradition to bring your 'dream car' closer. Buick's progressive search for finer styling and better cars for America's motorists enters a new era with presentation of the revolutionary new sports convertible -- the Wildcat -- featuring a Fiberglass body.
1958 Lincoln Premiere
Low sales and less of the "more is better" attitude generally in Detroit led to an all-new downsized Lincoln line for '61.

1955 Nash Rambler Cross County Wagon
Model offerings expanded noticeably for 1954 with the addition of two- and four-door sedans and a four-door Cross Country wagon.

1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner
The Fairlane was named after Henry Ford's Fair Lane mansion in Dearborn, Michigan. 1959 was the last year of the Sunliner convertible.
1956 Nash
In developing this new car, Nash had originally planned to call it the Nash Diplomat. This name would have rounded out the Nash family of cars, as for 1950 the 600 line was re-named the Statesman and the Ambassador remained the flagship line.

1951 Buick LeSabre
One of the most famous concept cars was the 1951 Buick LeSabre. Designed by Harley J. Earl’s studio with styling cues from jet fighter planes and used by him for years as an everyday driver, the LeSabre offered a preview of the aircraft styling that followed in the ’50s.
1958 Edsel Convertible
The Edsel was introduced amidst considerable publicity on "E Day"—September 14, 1957. It was promoted by a top-rated television special, The Edsel Show on October 13, but it was not enough to counter the adverse public reaction to the car's styling and conventional build.

Modern Photo of the Week - Temple B'nai Jehuda by Architects, Kivett and Myers

Name: Temple B'nai Jehuda
Architect: Kivett and Myers
Year Designed: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
Year Built: 1969
Location: 69th and Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri
Type: Synagogue
Style: Sculptural Expressionistic
Status: DEMOLISHED

Photographer: Brad Finch

http://www.f-stop.com/

Clarence Kivett and Ralph Myers were the patriarchs of Modern Architecture in Kansas City. They mentored and entire generation of modernists within their office. Their work spanned some forty years of modernism as they matured their style in the Kansas City area. This building was described as an 82 foot concrete tent for worship.

Ray Kappe Modern California House Tour

Many of the people who know me, realize that I have a real love for the work of California Architect, Ray Kappe, FAIA. So I could not resist posting this real estate slide show. You can have this house for a cool $4.95 million. Designed and built in 1966-68, this design represents the mature Kappe style. Lori and I drove by this house in Brentwood last year, which presents almost a fortress like front elevation that betrays the glass facade on the other side of the house. I also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Kappe while I was shooting photos of his own house. To me Kappe's work has historically been under appreciated and is only just now being recognized by the admirers of Modern architecture. Part of this recent recognition is due to his work with Living Homes. Enjoy the entire slide show HERE!

Modern Photo of the Week - Yanda Residence

Name: Yanda Residence
Architect: Albert J. Yanda
Year Designed: 1965
Builder: Albert J. Yanda
Year Built: 1966
Size: 1700 sq. ft. 2 bedroom 2 bath
Location: Kansas City, MO (Valentine Area)
Type: Residential
Style: Organic Modern
Status: Very Good Condition
Photographer: Unknown

The Yanda Residence was built by Architect, Albert J. Yanda for himself and his wife. The structure, built of steel, sits on what was considered for years to be an unbuildable lot. His creative response to the site is an introverted façade to the street and a soaring glass filled structure to the rear. The inspiration for this house may have been looking West to John Lautner's Chemosphere house in California , built a few years earlier. Not long after completing this house Yanda would move west himself. Yanda had previously been in the employ of David B. Runnells, Architect to several early Drummond Projects. Yanda's initials appear on many of Runnells' drawings as the draftsman of these plans.

The Worden's Modern House Tour Featured on Apartment Therapy

KCMODERN friends, Steve and Cathy Worden's home has been featured on Apartment Therapy!

Click here for the article and here for the slideshow.

KCMODERN Loves Mad Men

Just in case you have been too busy working on your Modern house to watch TV, we thought that we should tell you about one of the hippest and cool shows on TV. The second season of AMC's Mad Men features some of the best Mid-century Modern goodness that we have seen on the little screen (although our little screen ain't so small anymore).

The first season of Mad Men was set in the 1960 world of a Madison Avenue Advertising Agency. Season two has fast forwarded to 1962 and has extended its luscious set dressing beyond New York to locations such as Palm Springs. While it took me a few episodes at the beginning of season one to warm up to the characters and the story line, the sets and the fashions are what kept me coming back every week.

The show has not escaped acclaim outside the world of mid-century modern lovers either, with its 6 Emmys, including outstanding drama series for season one. If you missed season one it is available on DVD.

The season two premiere episode is available online for free here.