HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/07/2000 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 25, 2000, DESIGNATI AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 16
DATE: March 7, 2000
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF-
' Karen McWilliams
SUBJECT:
First Reading of Ordinance No. 25, 2000, Designating the Sondburg House, Garage, and Chicken
Coop, 237 West Street, as a Historic Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. At a public hearing held on February
9, 2000, the Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously recommended designation of this
property as a local landmark for its architectural importance to Fort Collins.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The owner of the property,John Litschert,is initiating this request for Local Landmark designation
for the Sondburg House, Garage,and Chicken Coop. The house and garage are significant for their
architectural importance to Fort Collins as locally raze examples of residential Art Moderne
architecture. The chicken coop has architectural importance for its representation of the property's
early history.
History-This stucco over wood frame house features many design elements associated with the Art
Modeme architectural style. Hallmarks of the style include smooth, unornamented wall surfaces,
usually of stucco, flat roofs with a small ledge or coping at the roofline, curved walls and comers,
an emphasis on horizontality, and corner windows, often with steel frames. Alterations to the
building are minor,and include the addition of a concrete porch extending from the front door to the
southeast comer of the house,added sometime in the early to mid 1960s. All but two of the original
windows have been replaced. The garage, also of stucco, appears to have been constructed at the
same time as the house, and is relatively unaltered. It dates from the period of significance, and
contributes to the architectural importance of the property. A wood chicken coop is located at the:
rear of the property. It predates the existing house, and appears to have been constructed in the:
1920s.
A building permit was issued on March 20, 1946,to N. A. Shultz for the construction of a $5,000
single family house, replacing an earlier residence on the site. The first owners of this home were:
Arthur and Opal Sondburg. The Sondburg family moved from Kansas to Fort Collins in 1947.,
purchasing the property at that time.
ORDINANCE NO. 25, 2000
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DESIGNATING THE SONDBURG HOUSE, GARAGE, AND CHICKEN COOP,
237 WEST STREET,FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, AS A
HISTORIC LANDMARK PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 14 OF
THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WHEREAS,pursuant to Section 14-2 of the City Code, the City Council has established a
public policy encouraging the protection,enhancement and perpetuation of historic landmarks within
the City; and
WHEREAS,by Resolution dated February 9,2000 the Landmark Preservation Commission
(the"Commission")has determined that the Sondburg House and Garage,located at 237 West Street,
have importance to the City as locally rare examples of the Art Modeme architectural style in Fort
Collins,and that the Sondburg Chicken Coop,located on that same site,has architectural importance
for its representation of the property's early history; and
WHEREAS,the Commission has further determined that the foregoing improvements meet
the criteria of a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the Code and are eligible for designation as
a local landmark,and has recommended to the City Council that said improvements be designated
by the City Council as a local landmark; and
• WHEREAS,the owner of said improvements has consented to such landmark designation;
and
WHEREAS,such landmark designation will preserve the significance of the improvements
to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and
desires to approve such recommendation and designate the Sondburg House, Garage,and Chicken
Coop as a historic landmark.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the buildings and structures historically known as the Sondburg House,
Garage,and Chicken Coop located on lands in the City of Fort Collins,Latimer County, Colorado,
described as follows. to wit:
Lot 6, Block 322, Capitol Hill Addition
also known as 237 West Street
• be,and hereby are,designated as a historic landmark pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City
of Fort Collins.
Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines
for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service,
Revised 1983) will serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to the
buildings and structures located upon the above described property will be reviewed for compliance
with Chapter 14, Article III, of the Code of the City of Fort Collins.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 7th day of
March,A.D. 2000, and to be presented for final passage on the 21 st day of March,A.D. 2000.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 21st day of March, A.D. 2000.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
Citv of Fort Collins
RESOLUTION 3, 2000
OF THE
CITY OF FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE
SONDBURG HOUSE. GARAGE,AND CHICKEN COOP
237 WEST STREET, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
WHEREAS, it is a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of
sites, structures, and districts of historical, architectural or geographic significance. located within
the city, are a public necessity and are required in the interest of the prosperity, civic pride and.
general welfare of the people; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the City Council that the economic, cultural and aesthetic
standing of this city cannot be maintained or enhanced by disregarding the historical, architectural
and geographical heritage of the city and by ignoring the destruction or defacement of such cultural
assets; and
. WHEREAS, the Sondburg House and Garage, 237 West Street, Fort Collins. Colorado, have
architectural importance to Fort Collins as locally rare examples of residential Art Modeme architecture;
and the Chicken Coop has architectural importance for its representation of the property's early
history: and
WHEREAS, the Landmark Preservation Commission has determined that the Sondburo House,
Garage, and Chicken Coop meet the criteria of a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the code
and are eligible for designation as a local landmark; and
WHEREAS, the owner of the property has consented to such landmark designation.
NOW, THEREFORE,be it resolved bv_ the Landmark Preservation Commission of the City of
Fort Collins as follows:
Section 1. That the Landmark Preservation Commission recommends to the Council of the City
of Fort Collins that the buildine and structures known as the Sondburs House. Garage. and Chicken
Coop, located on the lands in the City of Fort Collins. Larimer County. Colorado. described as
follows. to %vit:
Lot 6. Block 322. Capitol Hill Addition
also known as 237 West Street
. be designated as a Local Landmark in accordance with Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort
Collins.
_Si \orth Coiie,e 1,venue • P0. Bos 580 • Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 • (970)'11-ei376
< °701 _I--,:i • T.DD (970) -=-v002 • l mail: aplanning�a,ci.iort-collins.co.us
Landmark Preservation Commission
Resolution No. 3, 2000
Page 2
Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for
Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Revised
1983) shall serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to the buildings
and structures located upon the above described property shall be reviewed for compliance with
Chapter 14, Article III, of the Code of the City of Fort Collins.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Landmark Preservation Commission oft ity
of Fort Collins held this 9th day of February, A.D. 2000.
er o tad, hairman
Ate_
�e
Secretary/Staff
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
rty of Fort Collins
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2000
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Local Landmark Designation of the Sondburg House and Garage, 237 West Street,
Fort Collins, Colorado
STAFF CONTACT: Karen McWilliams, Preservation Planner
APPLICANT: John Litschert, Property Owner.
BACKGROUND: Staff presents, for your consideration, the local landmark designation of the
Sondburg House and Garage at 237 West Street. The buildings are significant to Fort Collins as
both a rare and an outstanding example of residential Art Modeme architecture in Fort Collins.
A building permit was issued on March 20, 1946, to N. A. Shultz for the construction of a $5,000
single family house, replaced an earlier residence on the site. The first owners of the property
were Arthur and Opal Sondburg. The Sondburg family moved from Kansas to Fort Collins in
. 1947, purchasing the home at that time. The Sondburgs, with their daughters Veda and Natalie,
owned this home for nine years.
The stucco over wood frame home features many design elements associated with the Art
Modeme architectural style. Hallmarks of the style include smooth, unomamented wall surfaces,
usually of stucco, flat roofs with a small ledge or coping at the roofline, curved walls and corners,
an emphasis on horizontality, and corner windows, often with steel frames. Alterations to the
building are minor, and include the addition of a concrete porch extending from the front door to
the south east comer of the house, added sometime in the early to mid 1960s. Additionally, all
but two of the original windows have been replaced. The garage, also of stucco, appears to have
been constructed at the same time as the house, and is relativeh'unaltered. It dates from the
period of significance, and contributes to the architectural importance of the property.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approving this request for Local Landmark
designation of the Sondburg House and Garage, 237 West Street. for its architectural importance
to Fort Collins as both a rare and an outstanding example of residential Art Modeme architecture.
•
ICI
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 • (970)221-6376
FAX i070) 224-olll • TDD (970)234-6002 • E-mail: aplanning@ci.fort-collins.co.us
Application for Local Historic Landmark Designation
Building Location: 23' West Street.Fort Coffins CO 80521
Owner Information: John C. Litschert
'37 West Street
Fort Collins. CO 80521
1970)224-0086
Building permit number 8989 was issued to a N, A. Shultz on March 20, 1946 for the construction
of a single-family residence at the address 237 West Street. The estimated cost of the structure was S5000
and the permit cost was S8.50 The first entry in the city phone directories for a resident of_37 West Street
was in 1948 and was the Sondburg family Arthur M. and Opal M. Sondburg moved from Kansas to Fort
Collins in 1947 with their daughters Veda and Natalie. The Sondburas owned and lived in the house from
1948 to 1957 at which time they sold the property to Evans C. and Rosalie A. Pearcy and moved to 120
South Grant Street. The Pearcys rented the basement apartment to a Colorado State University(CSU)
student named Charles Buderus and his wife Judy. Mr. Pearcy was an employee of CSU.
The Pearcys lived in the house until September of 1962 when they sold the property to John C.
and Ruth L. Meyer. John C Meyer was bom in Fort Collins to Chris H. and.Anna Marie Meyer on March
21, 1906. John was one of ive children four boys and one girl. He marred Ruth Elliot on August 4. 1936
in Denver and was employed as a superintendent for the.Arthur Ditch Companv. John and Ruth had two
children. John W_ Mever and Ruth Dival. The:Meyers rented the basement apartment to Elmer W and
Martha Wilcox in 1963 and then sold the property to them in August of 1963. Elmer and Martha Wilcox
lived in the house until 1966 when they began renting the upper floor to Paul and Eleanor Comstock and
the lower floor to their son William(Billy)-E. Wilcox and his wife Judy. Billy was a teacher at Lincoln
Junior High School and Judv was an office clerk for the Poudre Vallev REA. At this time they had one
son.Jeffrey,bom in 1962. By 1969 the Wilcox family had grown to rwo children Jeffrev and Darren, and
they moved upstairs to live in the larger of the two residences. In 1971,Billv and Judv Wilcox purchased
the property from their parents and added a third child. Man,to the family Billy Wilcox died on June 14,
1974 at the age of 38. The City phone directories indicate that his widow.Judv. and their four sons(they
apparently had another child between 1971 and '74)remained in the house for several vears after Billvs
death. By 1985.Judv Wilcox had remarried to Dick Schauerman and Marry Wilcox was living in the
basement apartment. In May of 1985 the property was sold to Peter C Wells. Jennifer M. Elners.Barbara
E Wetzel. and D. Christopher Wells. From 1985 until the end of 1999 the property was primarily used as a
rental for students anending CSC. The current owner purchased the properry in May of 1999 and began
occupying it in December of that year.
The house can best be described as belonging to either the an modeme or international stvles of
architecture. Both stvles are characterized by smooth unornamented wall surfaces usually of stucco. flat
roofs with a small ledge or coping at the roofline, horizontal grooves or lines in walls and horizontal
balustrade elements. Curved comers and cylindrical forms are often incorporated into the designs and
windows are frequently located in the comers and are typically steel or aluminum framed. The features of
this house that are consistent with these styles are the smooth unornamented walls, comer windows, flat
roof and the curved forms with horizontal bands of the two entries.
Alterations to the structure have included a concrete porch extending from the front door to the
south east comer of the house and all the windows except the two on the northeast corner. The porch was
added sometime in the early to mid 1960's and the windows were replaced in the early 1990'$(^).
COMMUNITY SERVICES COLLABORATIVE
SURVEY FORM
counter city project
i ldg owner surveyed Ly: C date:
dg name date of construction D
actual : estimate:
address/location source:
use
map present:
b dg nc• historic:
film roll neg. nos : condition excellent good
by: no: _fair _deteriorated
%ent of alterations
minor _moderate _major
describe:
4-Ir-
� _; � field assessme
eligible not eligible
— iL - _ district potential 1
a ves no
. contributing
—�' - non-contributing
associated buildings yes
describe:
if surveyed, list bldg nos .
ste ( �_ no. of stories site plan f
l
arc
hitectural features
4
1
comments
see back es
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY RECORD CARD
PARCEL ;NUMBER
nxg JUnITH L 1001n.
y. �y
16331,790 ` � 7
'.(EST ST 02/75
'ILLINS Cn 80521 r1
97112-35-006 T
SOT 6 BLK 322
FT. COLLINS CAP IIILL
r!•. ifi
1
�1
9118JECT PROPERTY XEIONBOR I1000 _ LOCAIIOIM— Of IMpROYENIN_T!_ CLASSIFICATION Ns
UVf NEXT! UTILITIES TOPOORq PITY _ USE TOPOORAPHY TREND 11—II I 1 II�TI IT—TI I ltO1K8 ELw._TS ROOM! —
r — C." wafer Y L...1 9 yb Fnmlll U •1 -_ Iwp o In9 TYPE
U9f
91 ul .0 w•11 . q.
rlian I.o Pomlry 9 .___ 9la llc__ _ 1 _ Sinp1 •Nlnf
.._ _
r.
.nl 9•..• To. Mnln... it 91e. D•ellning—__ _ Lyuele D.•llf�_ __
s Ply[ Ten• B I u to
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_ c•upnm 9loping - c • [ml _ slnn g _. __ _._ _.. ._.. .. _ •pagnpr Aft- —
i flplur nl 0•f .'. 1II11Y.. -. ._.. lndnflrl•1
1 ♦ _ __ __ _____.—__._ _—
_._ L P 00f Re[n 1_luF.
EI 1 IcllE_ ` R 1 I I g wall _ ---- —
_ oeN of--- — MTnnlon•nl�u
l wll ]ZONING
LAND VALUE CALCULATION
SUMMARY
r1IE OR ACRES
UNIT --- - --ADJUSTMENT FACTORS - - QUA OOT TOTAL - ACTUAL VALUE ------ A
- -- --- ---- ___ __
SQUARE
--- - - 0VAC MOT DATE APPRAISER -- _ __ X 99E 99ED _VA LUE _
VALUE BASE DEPTH DEPTII CORNER. OTHER ACRE VALUE VALUE LAND IMPROVEMENTSI TOTAL LAND MPIIOVCMEN TOTAL ENTERIC
_.
1 8 REMARKS r _.. _ _____ M•pwnd BI: ( Z I `I r
_-__-._------• SPECIAL NOTE!'
UWNER'6 NAME AMU ADDRESS: IAd I
� 17I Q�Ie- l_..� -1�� /.�/f /�I'..rt'.(� Glfll(.r -.•y. .d ' .' 1' � T � r� I ...
80NDBH�r-4,-�--OPA(:Mt SD 5 237 W. ST.
FT. COLLINS, COLO. / / 1
LEGAL UEscrUrrioN `I //. - �r,.j -. L.) ( ' {.- �IC J•> - 1 n; } yl
LOT 6 BLK 322
FT. COLLINS CAP HILL 1'
3 -off- 8�
LOT OR ACREAGE DESCRIPTION LAND VALUE CALCULATION L
ZONING STREET OR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TOPOGRAPHY OtFTN,CORN[R,OTNtR
SIZE OR ACR[t ... FRONT FOOT TOTAL
E[ID[NTIAI__ PAVED—IO�I sIDEWALK_— LEVQL__ �'�L°� iAF�• rAcrOR Aent ww LU[OR VALUE
PARTMENT HARD SURFACE CURD NIGH —_ ----�-- __---- --- --��- /
OMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY___ STEEP
1r-�1 OILED-0
]GMT INDUSTRIAL___— 0 1F,yy-11 CITY WAA'TER_-_. BOIL '1
EAVY INDUSTRIAL GRAVEL OR STONE FF+ WELLLJ SPRING LOW . E
�I
UNIMPROVED_ 0 SEWAR SLOPING.__CJ
I1 CO GOITION( NET O[
iOULAR L�/T� /�-J DOOR_-_
r'1' 'GAS _ ROCK____ NET ADDITION %- AMOUNT TOTAL It--
REGULAR �
AVfiRAGE�JI _ a
LOT SIZE .r g,I rA VOID ALLAY - fLLLI��«««1I1II DUCTIONS % AMOUNT ADD OR D[DUCT
% POOR—_ `J dal _ 0 ❑
''ECIAL LAND NOTES( - TOTAL LAND VALUE _l
-- ------- -------__-_.___.____-__ BASIS OF ADOITIONS OR DEDUCTIONS,
TRANSFERRED ANNUAL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY OF LAND AND BUILDING VALUES
BOOK PAGE DATE AMOUNT % - - - - -
-- --- Mrgov[. FULL APPRAISED
YEAR
REASON LAND rMtNTe TOTAL VALUE
_i LAND
r
- ( BUILDINGS AIIR IMrROV[M6NT8 '
.__ _ _ _._... _. _ __._. _ _ ____ CA..
' I ��'�j�j�j , ,111•vllvl� ..,,.,,,p
FAMILY DWELLING_ U BUILT-UP ABFHALT �J PIRCENT OF GROUND Aq[wl I Ix If % P.G
SHINGLE: ❑ I ,y ' � ' -
)W HOUSE— _ ❑ WOOD_.❑ ASPHALT— FINIHIIEO_.yli UNPIN...__% N
/0' A
❑ ABBfieTOB_❑SLATc—❑ PORCHES I , !6,•���1 %
27 In
'ARTMfiNT BUILDING___ TILH, ❑ ❑ NUMBER, OPEN_CLOBED—
M[TA CEMENT CLAY
UNITS AND ROOMS TIN ❑ COPPER UNFINISHED_..._FINI811110 _ _ �. V, 1 4 !
MIND or puwesp or TERRACES X'
I ,)
INSULATED 2J Irl,., ! X
UNITS ux rL weDMe KIND
`I:3E
IV ASEMENT HEATING X
AREA, f�9T STOVE
100%[A 75% ❑ Bog; ❑ ❑ 1 TOTAL
FOUNDATION EB96—❑ NONE_❑
WARM AIR, PIPELEBB_❑ R[PIIODUCiION COBF AND FINAL VALUE
eta on Piane�.__�. ❑ IfV FLDon. ' PIPED._-- MAIN BUILDING
//JJ��� LASTEnED �LABTHRID FORCED CIRCULATION-0 1
.LLS 2A-dA±�1,/T� C[ILINQ_14 ALLS_� J ` IT[M AREA OR UNIT
_ J WALLS, KIND HOT WATER OR VAPOR_ ❑ �(•••••I " (I 1l� II NO. QUANTITY COBT TOTAL
R
FRANC NO.—�.I FINISHED ROOMBI STEAM._..___.. — ❑ rn' BASH
SOD RAMP
EXTERIOR WALLS ^^jj_ 'nn ,S
� �% AREA GAB STEAM RADIATORS_ ❑ ' i (1 3fl l 7 o x g,Y
IVI No HHHATl1• FLOORS GAS FLOOR FURNACHB NO.— " •T _
iATHING E-`J INO
SUBFLOOR let—w ED UP AIR CONDITIoNINO ❑
❑ ,
J/ - ADDITIONS (PLUS)
JD MASONRY' NO SUBPLOOn ISi ED UP❑ AUTOMATIC BURNER OR STOKER 1'
ULATIONI _,LCO% AREA CONSTRUCTION,
-ING: ❑ WOOD JOISTS. L. .IL. ® OILS_❑ GAS❑ COAL❑ [ .J(' /'1 • U 8 /O�
ODBOARo I El❑ PLUMBING
! CONCRME ON GRAD_ —4
1RD AND BATTEN_ ❑ NONE,_❑WATER ONLY_❑ 1(J /) —�_, ,f 9 C
NOLHI WOOD ❑ FINISH FLOO IN BATHROOMS�TIL[D__ FRONT (Q '/Q 'all . /
17
-HALT ❑ ASBESTOS❑ HARDWOOD SOFTWOOD❑ NUMS[R or FIXTuRHH, 1/01O-te,CO,� . Acr
-0,6
Icco ® TILE, SO.FT. WABIISTANDS� Tuns� DEPRECIATION AND OBSOLESCENCENENBZAC
CK VENEER,❑ 1L'lJ SQ. FT, WATERCLOB[TS-k SHWRB..�. 3s
COM. FACE A. Aa[ (NORMAL DEPRECIATION) 1.'
NE VENEER,❑ ❑ INTERIOR FINISH SHOWER STALLS 1F,1(�1 B. PHYSICAL CONDITION y(,
NATIVE CUT WALLBOARD OR EOUAL,.__❑ AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER eyl C. MODERNIZATION (MINUS) . . -
CK SOLID, ❑ ❑ f'
COM. FACE U
PLAatERED S INK_KITCHEN T BS___LAUNDRY D. TOTAL DEPRECIATION 7e
ICR[T[BLOCS ❑ WOOD PANELING, E. NET CONDITION (tOO-D) . y( •3 f" .f �a�� 3(•
—❑ IND, OTHER ITEMS /-
So. FT. NATURAL FIREPLACES SPECIAL OBSOLESCENCE '
BASK R[PRODUCTION
O
ROOF TILE WALLS, SQ. FT. GAB FIREPLACES F. LPCATION(AREA NO. ) . COST ' 2 cf
E: -
T PITCHED ❑ LOW❑ TRIMi HARDWD. RMS. OUTSIDE CHIMN[YS G. OTHER 96 FINAL NET CONDITION
IIUM—❑ STEEP_❑ SOFTWOOD_ RMB. STATE F REPAIRS H. TOTAL SPECIAL OBSOLESCENCE ye FINAL VALU[--
MIND) SIMPLE ❑ LIGHTING EXCELLENT 14 GOOD_❑ ,), FINAL NET CONDITION (100•H) RE IJ(r MAIN BUILDING S c5!7'�33
RAGL—O DIFFICULT_❑ ELEC. GAB❑ NONE❑ FAIR— ❑ POOR ❑ SUMMARY OF BUILDING VALUE
DATE OF CONSTRUCTION MAJOR ALTERATIONS OR ADDITIONS MAJOn ALTERATIONS OR ADDITIONS �1 �j '7
'AIR I Aae qupc[ DATe Ao[ D[eep,PnON MAIN BUILDING S _d_p 3 0 _
_- PLw cLN. oere AaE o[ecRlmoN IPLR C NT `- - -
GARAGE � dO
GARAGE AND MINOR BUILDINGS �) 0" ), MINOR BUILDINGS Q _
Slit 20 FLOOR OTI/ER Me NO. ARLA FLOOR ROOr -I N[IwoV VCT1eN
W IDT11 L O[PTN FIWH I.+.. -- HEATING LIGHTING PLUMtlINO na• O[FRCCIATION N[T YALU[ IMPROVEMENTS
AND
-
ru.3_c
TOTAL BUILDINGS�
rlAl RIII1 OU,r.
14 Amid the welter of nostalgic sn•les uhar kept
architects bx s-reaea mg the past in the each=-aorh centur-. it was inevitable that some people would
be itching_ re get on with the present—and. even becren the future. Two architectural rren`s came
out of the-.--nmed interest in looking ahead rather than. backward.' the Art Deco or Moderne Stvle
ana the Inte—mationa.Style. e in part.both styles were European developments that took on new di-
mensions when they crossed the Atlantic. Neither srvle could challenge the entrenched claims of the
Colonial Re i.al on cue affeaioru of American homebuiiders.however.and so their immediate effect
on housing was iimitea The less important of the rwo sn ies. Arr Deco,began to peter out around
igio.although buildin s with Moderne features conrinuec to be built into the earn•iggos.The Inter-
national Sr-.-; "so caned because it had roots in several European countries. particutlarh•Germany,
3 Austria.anC l lollanC metYed into the postwar modern movement that is still developing.
fl
i
F C C N
F-iN T o-, .
i
;;� .�Itmni Beath i fam:•�=
1
ti t An Dm'Huron,Dinr--- irit)
- - /laanu Dtm and Stnamu:u
t rhm�Its:sturro,r WI"
i i � _rpnrs•wnnapw oanus.tr:tral
dams.Frank Llmd II^arts
rminmal masttrmr..
Fal)irg". -O.Wsltr.�m,:nwts
_ rirmntu rr rlr Pnlnr SCAN,:swth
7ntrmavowl Sna.
I
• b_; James C. Afassev and 5r. irley N1axwell
I
OLD-HOUSL IOF NVnL 56
k THE CASE T S OF ART DECO.THE CRMCAL HRUT akNIE FROM ZigZag sr-le were constructed. Zigzag decorative elements
the L.xhibmon des Ar_ Decorat.'Is et Induszr:65 lvlo::- somertlrtes made their w•av onto❑Ouse racac2es Of me io2Os
ernes in Pa:< in m2:. Of course.Air Dcco design had and sews.ptaa=suer as Fla[mois.stuccoed walls.extensive
been around far a number of vears before that. but nobody use or glass blocks.and sans of steel casement windows a-
knew what to iL The xhibitior.settled that,There were tablished me Deco sme credentials
two phases of Art Des sn•le:Zizag and Streamlined In the 1930s,S&amlined Deco was especially'well suited
to industrial design imM.automobiles and airoianes to[oastets
n and coffeepors.I.-.fat it was designers l ke l:em Weber and
RayTnond Lcew tame:-han arhirem who dominated the
phase o:the Art Deco movement Sleek Steamlined designs
implied speed and efnamm so per;aps it was not suronsing
that cansporauon bees ne its speca Lime Airports and bus
! stations.as well as aircianes and busses.were built to its soeafi-
cations. 'The old Gra-hound Bus decor. once the soul of
mode:nim is now often me only A::Deco component in
a mate'an urban. and small-mwn preservation piar..` The
Streamlined approach aise had a persuasive ionic viewed from
me eerecnve of Depression-eta economics.Whereas Zizag
Decor success depmcied largely on e rnarenais.arnsucalir
wrought and skillfuHv applied lie.. expensive;. the smpped-
dow ..S:rcami ne fo_n-s were ideal for mass production.In
fan.its forms,typified in ardntectum by-horizontal bands of
windows and rounded comers,often wave its omammc In
Streamlined bui]dings.me emphars was unflinchingly hori-
zoncai,an effe.c:mmfored by bands o:steel windows.incised
spin£courses.and flu roofs.Scman::ried wails usually ended
A,14odem bk.•s =gs-w.ndow tnxm=of thr sr'i:bow arc in cures rather than in angles.
comer wanGovrs,s_ :.unr_^_.ata day biecz. (GSatinno:-.DC�
HIIF ART DECO HAS NOW REGAL4ED A LOT OF rrS
Ziorae what mcst of us=mk orr as"real" Art Deco w•as >rhr quir appeal,tie international Sale is
largele a s-ster..oflow-relief.angular ornament a:piied cc still by fat me more ^por an[archi¢aurallr.
smooth buudirc s aces._i_.ag was ooptslar from around and=rroressional arc irecu had it ii rni•, in hand from its ven•
me time ofthe F==r.`Xbrid War until about 1030.Tnm it was beginnings 1;sartec in==oe.aimough i n'cievelopmeaa
overtaken by Scmamlined :scmecmes also called Modeme;. such as;Tie siascraper and Lie Prairie Sciool house took place
wiridu abandonoi omamw_-almost entirely in order to focus in America as well`..both as a resporse to the ooporruni[ies
on saeamlined forms such as smooth walls,rounded edges. supplied ix'modem mchnoiogy and-'as a rebeliion against who
and circular windows mode zsrs saw as the=messy eciec iasm of the lace-loth
Ziezae Art Deco culled its motifs from various and earir-tom cenruies.Jts:as Comic Revival had been pro-
sources.induLn_Amencar indian tiruxt The repertoire moteC as the"onir proper sn•ie' in�_n e mid-u1m centurt%so
included dhevrors.Z-aes. cd stcoped-ban.:lines wish strong
vertical aecenLs.Arr Deco motifs could be applied as handiu' Rrsiannui.in Deco in•rrtia its soolicc:i: 2L Tr^do ,cldem U
to furniture.jnye_.:doEn:n-. even hairsrvles;'mmember the uon uc ware xn�u..R;s�aa.Fla.:
Flapper with her compere shin__ic-cut7j as to buildings.
In a.chi-C:-. a the .- ashv Zie_za2 style was a way
putting a mode-sum on a more-or-less traditionally dc-
lizncd'auii C.'-.;0=sied mosm'in big cities-Da.-tieularn' ! - f q�► R
...f
IF
New York'-where Dcco sk:scravm added zest to rice urb ::an ee_3 ®� �� -
skvlinc. In ioyv-:`se :nodes.Zigzag Deco appca. ...= in the�
warmer ceasral tress or Cal:ornin and plorida.where hotels
arid aparpncnr_c:.iEngs. as well as commercial ant public
cu]dinl s were ie35:ikc1`:ro-C-led to Stu, d6igru^.rproa:;1-
jes. Ahhough vet•: :m. it any, sin_de-iamiir houses in full
i ,
eta-rouse 1pt>i�.._ �S C...kw,
the Into- nonai Sr.-le seemed esocciav well suited to the Itboa-
Ma-
chine Abe. was cicaniiineci.east to ev oaucr!at icast in the-
I on-:.cornmereiv hL'.laora.ane:o[^..t:auv Inat^e:sn'e once a - - • '
orororvrc nad been^.:u;.net was one sn'ie.its rr000nenu
believed.mar cow-'be:Sec r-X am'buudin,in anv price=Y T
a:anv ie•.el pi asrte-•:a`soonariadon.This one was right
rot all buiicin¢s—from am:ches to banks ro factories to
rnarsions to wafl;:r,:rnens houses.Like the Arts and Crafts
laeencn: the In: .a:iota Sr.ie was acrraliv a sadc that
r
anied saki and p:.iiosociv_ mCarl'n_5 amour moraiir and
me rursuir of human iavvIn-ss as weii as about architecture.
No:even'bodv was szv about the idea.In fact.most Inxre Gills DDavr6ur%arnolir�,an tariv acmDa or
.A.meri=homear'ne s iould me new buiidirle sr'ie uei•..and Llcm=nanai In irc Am an idiom. ;Zs AiLa Its, igi6'
o (erred to sack with sa iinora norms and Beaux.Arts ideals.
Still. American archi- around the ration.a genearion, or 4imen can arc erects bean
teas such as Irvin_J. ro move out of the realm of the Beaus Arts and into the mod-
Gill had been experi- e n design arena
C menring for mar-vears
• 1 wrID aa2pung pared- ROPIUS' DESIGN FOR HIS HOME IN LINCOLN. M?SSA-
1 c.own arcillrecrural cuselrs.tea mu h aNur the lnre iarional S ie as it cle-
f ornns baud on Puebio w svoozd m ne Ln red Sates.The e are T e=aurae r-
end Spanish Mission caiiv flat r iL.fiat roots.bars or windows.and a total lac o-
aesions in builaines ornament.?icin ..moum rhe'nouse loola.:ttepriv ileasim_
const used of modern pie rterancia there a.1'the proie...n_and recedm¢wails and roofs
r concrete and steel. De- tut"ar es " he ma es whin r stead Dime ours:wails dicaOmnz
"9 some his expressed dis- when rooms can be piacec.the races inside me houu cietermine
taste fo: the Interns- ,mere the oseri%=ww u 'parr or se aesign has a f inc-
rionai Sn'ie. Frank rion.5hasd it binv a io'e-Ni.ewi wit run rea--h oretose wno inr in
L:ovd«'right himself the house Should is shelter them Tiom a hot sanmr s=mffiour
p nau ed seve:ai hoes- deoznlIx sen of soa near m se wince:Grooius'house is a pic-
$ciI -<,r a:'_(1 aucr H u es n a mod Pied.wNdc t ae of the rec asproblem-solve
snr:ecnc:, cowmr rosins anr.'smrs. Inre:narionai sn•le. Mesr ofrhe ideas belied International Sn'ie desig_ as-
:nlxr:&'si. G:z=. hq_o' Furthermore. wined;:,a;the builciineswouic use themostup-rc-::aterec1-
m.-re were orhe:armi- noiop-ana moaem marenais—steel. concrete. piasric.and
rCC'Ls workinz in who;sac been exposed to modern oiass panes of almost infinite size.Such rrarenais were not
arChicec a:e tilroueh n%lei:Eurooear•,ssooiinc:the Viennese I�
Rudoipn Schindler and Risa:a \cut for exam piz. who
by ig2t were p:ac ::ne ar&'1—ecure zo,e[her in southern
Caiirornia. a m7ion crass:raved to be unusually receonve
to the new a:c.:reczure.
It v.z tar beiorc Worid\gar E _at thmes rear took
i
it Tor is inurnanonai Sr:ie :r.:he �:nircd States. Walter
Grooius.a Ge.-man :c:i_ee from N:4sm6 is the best known
contriburor to me movement. Grop:us nazi or._anized the
naUnaUS.a tee=_=ac3.:,1n`:rOr+tank-_.1'3C a.'LISIS.=111tects,
....d dcsr._rr.-s. •.rn�.i `:oursicz ^no::v undr. rnr We:mar
Nginc �s m a:can :cilc.;_uc ar tic Bauhaus. \larcel f . .
nrcu - - {.i"Y 1RLT'.:"'s �.er"� '�' Y_ vr��?'Y'Y•:.
.r_.. .r..a,- �.�- .._..en w.0 ..:uo on.the rein oh the {\;,u'xa ....='�i Sw,s.:�c-c••.�Lnw7t .w'i wsr.ai'S^.eN��:.
School O: r:. lrc�.:ri.;. . ..0..a'L. C"o-l'1S successor as di- — -
III . .e.ror of tnc B.;r:.iau. 110`cvi_icr Rohe became.iir=or of+::^r Dr ttc vs m.,zunu !laiter Gr.-:a oxen lur is a snt.rie a ii r
Me arclrc^arc aco.;:o ;r^r li�inois Institute of Tech- arsron 1Ln;ihs:rr\-;:•Er�Iau.::z:a:nmi. Zirl:ciri. .. Io_;6)
noiozv in to;s. R-i-. -_' ::Se inriuennai rhinkerS established
G
• - ��, - .. . .,T 59 MARCH APRIL 100.
cheap.and nitre%%-a tic rc.^.nologr required to build with The Floor mans or-international Sr:is ihouscs acimowi-
mcm.Corssequ ::rr>am houses in the International Snleare edged :ha:life was changing_as the 2oti. ccnrun wore on.
based on a wood-^amdne nstem with stucco.or on concrete- There was less formaijr:. and there w'as crrtainiv a for less
block or hollow:ac corsstruimon Gropiui housc.for instance. household heir.So thoe are fewer maids*rooms and isoiatcd
is or wood with t-rdcai wood siding.Almough smoorn stucco work areas such as kirchcns an i laundries. i-iomc air-condi-
tionim,came into limited use in::it hotos.it onir for:he iuc;F
{ rew who could afrord¢—and international Snic arihircas
t, w clients we^•often among me iuci:v rew._ 17n a more dc:noc'a[-
1
+� tc note.comma oil ti:maces n-,azic it possible for copse once
bulkv and' d--n mechanical sena-hu to be mood our of me
f•- gasemrnt and onto me Erst 600:.The basement was not Ben-
i -
1 emll. a par,of me International Sntie scheme.\eime.was the
attic.With no antic to hold goods and no basement in which
to hide mechanical eeumment nor to mention the iaundn.
now done oc machines-obviousiv either the house had to
t
soread out or some things had to go.The axnansive for size
was a problem in right urn area.But one or the phiiosophi-
cal'ommises of the Inte rational St.Ic was mat the good I&
de.ended on having ease access to the great ourdoors.That
par of Irrernationai Sc:ic thtnirmc,at icasr ht rich[ in with
Its srrmrrunnd.lfc nrt girt amma'rnam walk i+md uuiir w14 Arricricas well-esrabiished love a`air with automobiles and
tc P uiL hit to ca arittaurr e_%rcr Sown rst. -&Wuc acre suburban livine.It did mean.howecc-.that[.here arc not a lot
orIntcrhatio:al Sn•ie rr vhouscs. 'Wiliiam csc zei house in
or concrete wails were gmealk prtie_ d M'International Sn!le \ew York is among the notable=cntiom.
aesjgners George-ate chose local fieldstone and red brick lronjcallr.the Depression and tt••orid War that had
i
for;fie otherwise-:e:otsir International Sn.le design."Squa'e helped to brrtg the modern sn-ies to America's shores also
Sadari`in t\"h::g-harsh.pcnrurivania;t l 9;q_ viared a role in stifling melt development. The Art Deco
Tnc roofs orintemattonai Sn•ic houses is virrualiv Sn•ie was aireadr fadm_ when the war began. The Interra-
aiways flat.altihou some arataees.such as Gregon Au..an uo:al Stele also lost some of its ene-_v at a co�zical moment in
_^mean associate or Neum.used r=rcd roots on occasion its development.%\-her.�Osru :.7ut:ng mum cc low'CLCh-
i is i Tnc:r a lot of._i3s to chest twues.T :n;ce nc windows arc•us:ai- moues and n r ais c come ro ;;,: forth-ant\fade-ar-
t -
it large and aiwa's reran.-:ian Clencston-windows. located mirccouc has pulled intro a aesi_+ sc am war was sa rt, n['
jut beiav the ccu:-.g une.are common.and later wracamunci it different rrom.ana mu_less ngic u,an.me one M.sionca
cor ae:wu.dovs an s icon:glass aoors arc smndani br the Ina:..ar ana Sr,-'e.:,ssadc,or me ho_os ana':os.
READING THE OLD HOUSE: INTERNATIONAL STYLE
Courposiron is based
on geomear[re Ran- Fur ROOF
I gular forms.in project-
ing and receding planet SOME A65p. OF CORMC,OR
with a single curved Tali - OR..A 7
to dining terrace for
counterpoint.Winaow•s I
gmerizEr grouped ac- _
quently u corners.Some =y rKy SUN o�
large glens area for -
phasis,as for the long 'Tt r :,DICE Mc E WI Wll ID7MN:J5
Moth.The functions •QOtS w'mrN OF ul. RCO..
and rooms dicnre the
design of the house— caLn'En Waamws !
the opposite of much
earlier design. _ �- "
WµJR PLVn'�FRORMLI STLCCO;
Imes:AT LOW To nro nR.wult..-
G0.Oenv,fin M.,EaIF1:T
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' AIE\i T n rHE aIME TT1Cl'
s.Hrc:nwo:I mm�Ir.:r imx.;.rirwt n.i..i,.mmi Pw,nn..L''lad.
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