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Above: Homeowner Dana Harper hired Stern & Bucek Architects to design and direct the restoration of his classic mid-century modern home.
houston past & present
good brick awards salute champions of preservation
special to houston house & home
by david bush, director,
programs and information,
greater houston preservation alliance
Modern architecture takes center stage when Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (GHPA) celebrates the unsung heroes of historic preservation during the 2007 Good Brick Awards ceremony on Friday, Feb. 2. For the first time since GHPA began presenting the awards in 1979, most of the historic homes being recognized were completed in 1950 or later.
“Houston enjoyed spectacular growth after World War II, so it has a wealth of notable modern architecture,” says Ramona Davis, GHPA’s executive director.
“It was only a matter of time before people realized many of these buildings are worthy of preservation.
“The National Historic Preservation Act defines historic buildings as being 50 years old or older,” Davis adds. “Many buildings constructed in the 1950s meet that requirement.”
Mica and Robert Mosbacher will accept the Stewart Title Award for their vision in preserving the 1950 Hugo V. Neuhaus Jr. House in River Oaks. The Mosbachers purchased what was being marketed as a “tear down” and embarked on a comprehensive restoration of one of Houston’s earliest and most important modernist designs.
Vanessa and Jason Smith are being recognized for the high standard set during the restoration of their 1955 home in the Willowbend subdivision in southwest Houston. Although bees, termites and water had inflicted extensive damage on the house, the Smiths’ rehabilitation remained true to architect William R. Jenkins’ distinctive modernist plan.
Dana Harper is receiving a Good Brick Award for his meticulous restoration of the 1960 Frame House in Memorial. Designed by architect Harwood Taylor, this exceptional one-story, flat-roofed house takes full advantage of its terraced site overlooking Buffalo Bayou.
Owners who restored more traditional historic houses also will receive awards.
Laura and John Calaway carefully renovated the 1910 Paine House in the Westmoreland Historic District. When they purchased the home, most of the original features were intact, including crystal light fixtures, stained glass, oak mantels and brass hardware. The Calaways’ painstaking attention to detail preserved the historic home’s architectural integrity.
Stephen Steiner and Keith Wallace rehabilitated one of the three oldest homes in Eastwood. The comfortable two-story house was built in 1912 and exhibits classic Craftsman-style detailing. The owners’ colorful renovation has brought a beautiful home back to life.
Since 1979, GHPA has given Good Bricks to honor exceptional preservation projects and the people who make them happen. Award recipients are selected by a jury of design and preservation professionals and community leaders. GHPA board member and architect Natalye Appel chaired this year’s jury.
“We were impressed with the variety of nominations and the scope of the projects,” Appel says. “Each of these undertakings represents an exceptional commitment and sends an important message about the value of historic preservation in Houston.”
In addition to those described above, several other individuals and organizations will receive Good Brick Awards.
Joella and Stewart Morris will accept GHPA’s President’s Award for their outstanding leadership and personal commitment to historic preservation. They have been responsible for significant preservation projects in the Greater Houston area.
Dave Matthiesen will be recognized for his successful adaptive re-use of the 1923 Farrar House in Montrose as a mediation center.
Holy Rosary Church in Midtown will receive an award for the exterior restoration of its 1933 church building and the construction of an architecturally sympathetic parish hall.
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church is being recognized for its master plan, which respects the parish’s historic architecture while providing for new construction on its restricted site near Hermann Park.
Harrisburg Plaza Ltd. is receiving a Good Brick Award for its redevelopment of a 1929 Joseph Finger-designed supermarket in the East End, one of Houston’s most overlooked historic neighborhoods.
Post Wood Municipal Utility District will receive its Good Brick for developing the Seal McDougle Memorial Park to preserve the remnants of a historic African-American cemetery in north Harris County.
CORNERSTONE DINNER
The Cornerstone Dinner presentin g the 2007 Good Brick Awards is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Blvd.
Beth Madison, Fran Fawcett Peterson and Kelly Somoza are the event’s co-chairs.
Tickets start at $200 per person.
For reservations and information, call 713.216.5000. A ticket order form also is available online at www.ghpa.org.
Reservations must be received by
Monday, Jan. 29.
Proceeds benefit the programs and projects of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. Since 1978, GHPA has promoted the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s historic architectural and cultural resources.
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