Though I could definitely picture Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond & Co. playing in the rotunda, I keep hearing ‘Ash’ by contemporary classical composer Michael Torke.

Surely, by now, the tear-downer McMansioners are afflicted with horrid skin ulcers, which defy both diagnosis and cure… and I don’t have to tell this crowd, that that is the mildest poetic justice they can expect. ;’)

Even worse was the update on what replaced this spectacular home. I agree that the owner had every right to build whatever she wanted on her property, but that oversized monstrosity seems little more than a monument to bad taste and the epitome of conspicuous consumption that characterized our society and contributed to the demise of our economy.

What a shame that a design so shallow and insignificant replaced such a gem. Less really is more.

While the post-Zorensky owners should be moderately flogged for applying that “public school gray-green” over BRICK and REDWOOD, at least they stopped at the rough STONE! (*That* would’ve merited staking to the anthill!)

But the vulgar new McMansion owners should simply be burned at the stake… and I don’t have to tell THIS crowd that I’m being extremely merciful, lol. OTOH, who could possibly abide in such a “tiny” 5,900 sq. ft. architecturally significant MidMod? Dreadfully claustrophobic… :rolleyes: (Something tells me the replacement McMansion will have twice the sq. footage, but half the fenestration.)

Seriously, though, has ANYTHING better come along since, style-wise? NO, and that’s why this post-International (aka Mid-Century) Modernist genre is *STILL* very much IN STYLE! Update the glazing technology and roofing membranes, and it’s Mid-21st-Century!

As in So-Cal, the “MiMo” is still revered here in So-Fla… not just the style, but the build-quality vis-a-vis HURRICANES. Nature culls some of the McMansions for us. ;’)

My thanks go out to those, such as Toby, who take the time and care to document these buildings.

I live in Houston now, and I can see the same thing happening here. There have been a lot of lovely old homes demolished for McMansions. Some things never change

I stumbled on this house while doing research on the owners of another grand home. I may call this one grand, as well. Grand for its time, for it’s scope and for its spirit. What a great symbol of the imagination and forethought of the architects of the 50s. And I thought such Beauties existed only on the hills of California.

A touching and sad story… documented in a sensitive and heartwarming way. Your photography is brilliant!

What a joy to read and watch!

Keep me posted on your next projects,
Maya

Spencer

Have you seen the new place? Nothing can take the place of that 50′s beauty..

Great pics and stories on this blog!
Spencer

Keep up the amazing work!