by Architectural Observer | May 13, 2021 | Blog, Observations
While not exactly frozen in time, this sixty-year-old house in suburban Chicago has survived largely intact due to the fact that it has been continuously occupied by the original and current owners. Modifications are largely confined to furnishings and decor; the...
by Architectural Observer | Apr 28, 2021 | Blog, Observations
The brainchild of designer/developer Jean Vandruff, these fairy-tale-inspired ranch houses were an instant hit in Southern California when first introduced by him and his brother Shannon in 1955. Sometimes referred to as “storybook ranches”, these houses...
by Architectural Observer | Dec 14, 2020 | Blog, Observations
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is fortunate to have eight houses by Bruce Goff in its vicinity; the Collins house is among them. Commissioned by Russell Collins and built in 1959, the house survives today in remarkably near-original condition. Its recent sale allowed me to...
by Architectural Observer | Dec 11, 2020 | Blog, Mail Order and Kit Houses, Observations
If the old saying “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” is true, then Jud Yoho should have been mighty flattered! Anyone who has spent any time poking around search engines looking for information on Craftsman bungalows has likely run across his...
by Architectural Observer | Oct 31, 2020 | Blog, Observations
Happy Halloween, everyone! Today, in observation of just about everyone’s favorite holiday, we’ll take a look at a very special architectural form. People have long interred the dead above ground, and for a variety of reasons. Some locations with high...
by Architectural Observer | Oct 22, 2020 | Blog, Observations
There has not been much downtime recently, and today I found myself with a whole two hours to kill! Jim had his second cataract surgery earlier today (and, yes, it went well… just like the first one). He was a little woozy coming out of it, but is fine and...
