When is a Bruce Goff house not a Bruce Goff house?  When the architect and his protégé client have a dispute.  Such is the case with the semi-circular “Round House” in Dallas, Texas.   Built over a course of nearly six years beginning in 1957 by importer Eddie Parker who studied architecture at Auburn University, the house remained substantially unaltered prior to its sale for the first time in 2009.  The most drastic alteration was the tragic removal of the magical trellised dome covering the motor court; hopefully it will be restored in the future.  And that’s a possibility as the house is once again on the market, allowing us to take a tour of the inside!

As you’ll see, there is plenty of originality still intact… let’s hope it stays that way!  While its attribution remains murky, the house sure looks, walks and quacks like a Bruce Goff house:

The Round House as it appeared in 2008. The signature domed trellis still covered the motor court.  Image courtesy Google Street View.

The curved entry window wall of Frankoma tiles is remarkably similar to the entry of Goff’s Frank House.  Image source:  zillow.com

The fireplace in the conversation pit in the living area.  Image source:  zillow.com

Another view, with the entry virtually hidden in the curved window wall at right.  Image source:  zillow.com

The stone-veneered wall screens the kitchen from the dining room.  Image source:  zillow.com

The kitchen has had some updates…    Image source:  zillow.com

Of all the delightful circular forms in this house, my favorites are the ones built into the masonry which are illuminated!  Image source:  zillow.com

Or maybe the circles on this ceiling…    Image source:  zillow.com

Wait! No; it’s the round bed!  Image source:  zillow.com

One of several great tiled mosaics and a dramatic open staircase in the basement… on what appears to be a terrazzo floor.  There was an indoor pool in the basement originally, but it has been moved outdoors.  Image source:  zillow.com

Another bedroom…  Image source:  zillow.com

This tiled bath is still a knock-out after more than half a century.  Image source:  zillow.com

An aerial view of the house after the dome was removed. the angular roof section behind the house covers the outdoor pool – a later addition.  Image courtesy Google Satellite.

The new pool replaced the original indoor one in the basement.

The exterior in 2008. Image courtesy Google Street View.

The exterior since the dome was removed. Image courtesy Google Street View.

Entrance to the motor court from the driveway. Image source:  zillow.com

The front doors within the Frankoma-tiled window wall.  Image source:  zillow.com

A final look at the magical domed trellis before its removal.

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