Mid-Century Modern Preservation (San Antonio, Bowie, Howe: for sale, lenders, houses)

[sprnova]

Myself and a team of students at UTSA are embarking on a large-scale, documentation process to help expose San Antonio to its rich, mid-century modern architecture. I have been reading lots of threads and a common question asked is how to control the demolition of excellent modern houses. Our answer is to document them, identify common characteristics, categorize the architecture into sub-categories, and provide the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation the necessary documents to create a historical distinction for mid-century modern architecture, therefore putting such architecture under their jurisdiction and requests for demolition would need their approval.
Pretty good idea, huh? We know. However, in order to complete this task, we are asking residents, owners, and connoisseurs to help us by sending information about the location and condition of mid-century modern architecture throughout the city. Images, lists, areas, architects, suggestions, and stories are great. We will need lots of different types of information to create a San Antonio MCM definition and specific sub-categories. The project just started this week and we have just begun to gather information. We hope to gather all necessary information before the end of the year, then finalize the documentation and definitions in the new year.
If anyone has any guidance to give, we are all ears. The potential scope of this project is daunting, but we are up for the challenge. Thanks for reading this! Have a great week!

[jwebtx]

off fred, near the country club there are several mid century mod gems. I have also seen a few in the terrel hills area.

sorry, i can't be more specific. if you search here, i'm pretty sure there are threads of when some of these have come up for sale.

[wCat]

Can you expand on your group? Other than a group of students, are you students of architecture and design? Do you have faculty involved?

Also you mentioned "the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation." Do you mean the San Antonio Conservation Society?

I'm very interested in your project as someone who's been in the design business for a long time, plus a local history junkie. Obviously you've seen the threads on here that have talked about MCM houses in different areas of the city.

I'm also wondering if you've gotten any outside support for your project. Have you contacted the local AIA chapter? They may have a list started for you.....and you can add to it, or as you said, maybe have sub categories.

Sounds interesting. It will take a lot of historical records reseach....anyone on your team really good at that?

Tell us more!

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by sprnova

Myself and a team of students at UTSA are embarking on a large-scale, documentation process to help expose San Antonio to its rich, mid-century modern architecture. I have been reading lots of threads and a common question asked is how to control the demolition of excellent modern houses. Our answer is to document them, identify common characteristics, categorize the architecture into sub-categories, and provide the San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation the necessary documents to create a historical distinction for mid-century modern architecture, therefore putting such architecture under their jurisdiction and requests for demolition would need their approval.
Pretty good idea, huh? We know. However, in order to complete this task, we are asking residents, owners, and connoisseurs to help us by sending information about the location and condition of mid-century modern architecture throughout the city. Images, lists, areas, architects, suggestions, and stories are great. We will need lots of different types of information to create a San Antonio MCM definition and specific sub-categories. The project just started this week and we have just begun to gather information. We hope to gather all necessary information before the end of the year, then finalize the documentation and definitions in the new year.
If anyone has any guidance to give, we are all ears. The potential scope of this project is daunting, but we are up for the challenge. Thanks for reading this! Have a great week!

Anything I can do to convince you & your group to quit?

Kidding.

Let me caveat everything I'm gonna say by disclosing that I'm a committed member of the Congress for New Urbanism, and a devoted disciple of Andres Duany, Christopher Alexander, Leon Krier, and Nikos Salingaros. So to say that I'm not a fan of "modernism" (in a macro context) would be an understatement.

As you probably know, there are two big "tools" in the HPO toolbox: the "HS" (historically significant) designation that attaches to specific/individual properties, and special overlay districts that impact entire neighborhoods (thought the boundaries can be arbitrary). My guess it you'd have more success focusing on MCM building forms and design criteria (irrespective of their location) as opposed to finding some numerical quantity within a particular neighborhood. The big trick is getting enough people on HDRC & City Council to accept MCM as a design style that should be protected and preserved. Better put on your Le Courb. hat.

The other trick would be to deploy the HPO tools in neighborhoods that are resistant to change for other reasons (not specifically related to design, in other words). There was a big, fat fight a couple of years ago in the Oak Park & Northwood neighborhoods, where residents became concerned about older homes on large lots being redeveloped into higher-density housing. Said differently, it would maybe get property owners (and, thus, HPO) motivated to use those tools to prohibit tear-downs/redevelopment.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't encourage you guys to devote your talents to promoting & creating human-scaled, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods instead of promoting the auto-centric, inefficient, non-sustainable living arrangement that we all know as "modernism".

I'll be thrilled when all those low-density, single-use MCM neighborhoods are razed to the ground and replaced with good urbanism!!! But good luck to you guys, regardless.

[wCat]

DVLPR......don't rain on their parade, just because you don't like MCM. I applaud what they are doing. They are the next generation. You know that there aren't enough MCM homes in ONE neighborhood that would qualify pulling in the HDRC for this kind of project. And since you're not a fan, I doubt you know enough about the architects of any truly significant MCM houses in San Antonio. That appears to be part of their project....identify, research and label. They don't HAVE to have the city involved if they get the right support. The right support will win the city for them.

There are plenty of mid century houses that do need razing....like Ray Ellison developments....but we're not talking about that kind of construction. Keep your historically relevant measuring rod in your own pocket and do what you do best....and let these students find what interests them. I'm thrilled to see interest in another facet to this city. Possibly, if some of the truly awesome MCM houses are preserved and restored, they will become gems. Some already are.

I'm personally anxious to hear their plans. They may be way ahead of you anyway.

[jennifer6271]

Have you looked at Shearer Hills off McCullough near Olmos Basin? My sister lives on Harriett in a beautiful mid-century modern. Most of the houses on her street are the same.

[Bowie]

Originally Posted by sprnova

I have been reading lots of threads

Just FYI for you and for other enthusiasts who visit this thread, Mid-Century Modern homes is a topic that has come up before in earlier threads in this forum. Here are some links a few of to the other threads.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...n-antonio.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...ive-help.html?

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/123885-mid-century-modern.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/88685-new-mid-century-modern-cafe.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/11422-mid-century-modernist-homes.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-antonio/27300-highland-hills-mcm.html

That's a cross-section of the 38 threads that came up in a search of this forum for "mid-century."

[wCat]

WOW! Thanks Bowie. I didn't know there were so many!!!! Hopefully these students will be encouraged by the amount of interest in this topic!

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by wCat

DVLPR......don't rain on their parade, just because you don't like MCM. I applaud what they are doing. They are the next generation. You know that there aren't enough MCM homes in ONE neighborhood that would qualify pulling in the HDRC for this kind of project. And since you're not a fan, I doubt you know enough about the architects of any truly significant MCM houses in San Antonio. That appears to be part of their project....identify, research and label. They don't HAVE to have the city involved if they get the right support. The right support will win the city for them.

There are plenty of mid century houses that do need razing....like Ray Ellison developments....but we're not talking about that kind of construction. Keep your historically relevant measuring rod in your own pocket and do what you do best....and let these students find what interests them. I'm thrilled to see interest in another facet to this city. Possibly, if some of the truly awesome MCM houses are preserved and restored, they will become gems. Some already are.

I'm personally anxious to hear their plans. They may be way ahead of you anyway.

Sorry...but I think their parade is a bad idea. If you noticed, though, I did wish them good luck, and it was my intention that my post convey a genial tone with respect to two very different approaches to architecture/planning. Worthy adversaries, in other words.

On the other hand, it's clear you don't know much about the subject matter, and, as such, it might be best if you didn't try to referee this debate.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

Sorry...but I think their parade is a bad idea. If you noticed, though, I did wish them good luck, and it was my intention that my post convey a genial tone with respect to two very different approaches to architecture/planning. Worthy adversaries, in other words.

On the other hand, it's clear you don't know much about the subject matter, and, as such, it might be best if you didn't try to referee this debate.

Referee? How silly. I don't have a yellow flag in my pocket, dear. We know you think it's a bad idea. You were very clear the first time. I don't really give a dots behind of your opinion of what "I" know. You don't know me, and you don't know who I have connections with. I have my personal taste in architecture, but I'm not so narrow minded to discourage others from appreciating what appeals to them...and that includes your opinions. I don't agree with a lot of things you promote, but rudeness is just inappropriate even if you wish them luck. Can't imagine that's the way you talk to the people you do business with...ie lenders and investors.

Just go be your bad self and pretend to rule the city...K? Just remember this isn't a kingdom. Silly man.