Visual Acoustics: The Modernism of Julius Shulman

This opened on last Friday, March 5th, and runs for 1 week. Sponsored by AIA Austin.
Wilt’s House


No wonder Wilt got all the ladies.
Wilt Chamberlain’s Bel-Air home. Lots more info and a ton of pictures at the MidCentury Architecture Blog.
Leonard Lundgren – 1111 31st

Leonard Lundgren build a set of homes on W 31st street overlooking Shoal Creek. A couple years ago the above home was sold after the original owner died. There was concern that the home would be lost. I often think of the home and been meaning to stop by and see what happened. Turns out it was bought updated and now is available for lease. It was available for sale at some point last fall but I missed it then.
Here are pictures of the home 2 years ago. I don’t have one that truly captures how lovely the site the home sits on.
Here are pictures of it today. (pictures by realtor)
I have to say I am pretty please that they left the home largely intact and the update is in pretty good order.
Ridge Oak – Fehr and Granger – $739k
Excellent Fehr and Granger home available in Highland Park West. Looks like in the home is in good condition and ready for restoration (and hopefully not some heavy handed remodel).
Frank Lloyd Wright – $2.7M
FLW, 80 Acres, 75 mile commute to the valley, bargain at $2.7M.
Rummer
This home is for sale in Portland for $535k. My first thought was, “I didn’t know Eichler built up there”. Turns out he didn’t and this was built by Bob Rummer. Here is an a bit of history on Bob Rummer and how he intersects with Eichler.
Vladimir Ossipoff
Nice write up on Vladimir Ossipoff and his ‘casual formal’ style with strong roots in Japanese and modernism. I wasn’t very familiar with his work until a visit last year to Kauai. If you are interested in more this book provides a nice overview of his work.
Stahl Residence

(photo by Julius Shulman)
As the Stahl Residence is stunning in many ways, no wonder it has been used in numerous movie and tv shots. Built in Hollywood Hills in 1960 by C.H. “Buck” Stahl, who designed the original concept for the house, and architect Pierre Koenig.
Website:
More info here:
Schaffer Residence

As some of you know, I love John Lautner. His early work is among my favorite modern designs and few are better than the Schaffer Residence, pictured above.
Currently it is for sale.
More pictures here.
More fun stuff on that website from Frank Llyod Wright, Neutra, among many others.

3941 Balcones
This is a lovely mid-century modern home on Balcones. Thanks to Robert Nash (of modernaustin.net), I was able to take an extensive photo set and talk with the original owner. The architect was Pat Riley (sp?). Someone who I have never run across of before. This is a classic southern California modern influenced design. Much of the home is in original condition though there have been some updates over the years. The owners also have some lovely Danish modern furniture.
Sadly, the original owners are moving. This house will be hitting the market next week. Given the extremely nice location (near the top of the hill, water views) and the area, I am guessing close to $1MM will be the listing price. Next door is an absolutely huge Spanish affair that demonstrates the pressure and direction of that area. Hopefully, someone who loves this house for what it is will step up and save it from being torn down.
Click here for a 61 photo slideshow (going to take you to flickr).
UPDATE: Hit the market today. $760k. Actually that seems like a pretty decent price given that area and the other homes. House is a bit bigger than I thought as well. Anyone want to give me, oh about $360k so I can get it to reasonable mortgage payments? MLS Listing here. Not pictures yet but I gander the set I took will actually provide more detail. Please buy this and preserve this great home.









