As is common with many architects, the early work of Bruce Goff was considerably different (much more mainstream) than his later work. The following three houses were built in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1918, 1919 and 1925 respectively. The first and third houses show a strong Prairie (Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan) influence while a hint of his later, still emerging, creative direction may be seen in the porch of the second house. All photos are sourced from zillow.com:
1918: 1401 S. Quaker Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma
A strong horizontal emphasis characteristic of the Prairie style characterizes this stucco-clad house which was recently restored in a a very informed, considerate and responsible manner. The flattened Gothic arches reappear in some of his later designs. Goff was only 14 when this house was built.
The wood paneled walls are not characteristic of Goff, but look good here! The generous width of the front door is a design consideration which re-emerges in later work.
The unusual fireplace design is composed of then-readily available brick.
The window sash seen here (living and dining rooms) reflect a Craftsman influence and were likely specified from a catalog.
The recently renovated kitchen is sympathetic to the overall character of the house.
Original casement sash convey a strong Prairie aesthetic.
The flat roof provides additional outdoor space.
1919: 1732 S. Yorktown Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma
An unusually generous sense of scale characterizes the front porch of this house, built when Goff was 15.
The glazed room is a later addition; the broad steps leading to the porch are atypical of the period.
The rear of the house appears to be fairly conventional.
The living room is distinguished by a single ceiling coffer. One of the massive porch supports is visible from the window. Note that the wood flooring is directionally organized around the hearth at lower left.
1925: 1712 S. Madison Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma
A return to the Prairie influence! The ornamented fascias are especially intriguing.
Unusually massive piers support short, squat and boxy columns.
The front door, characteristic of the Prairie style, appears to be a bit wider than what is normal for a house of this size.
The fireplace mantel displays a form of entasis (intentional distortion of a column for aesthetic purposes) reflecting Goff’s on-the-job (Rush, Endacott and Rush) familiarity with the classical orders. The marble surround is seen in some of his later houses. Goff was 21 when he designed this house.
Those are really cool. Hard to believe those tender ages! And still quite distinctive. That porch on the second house is really terrific.
Another great example of how much the world has changed in the past century! Today, if a parent took a twelve-year-old child to an architectural firm to be apprenticed (as Bruce Goff’s father did to him), the most likely result would be that CPS (Child Protective Services) would be called in and then all hell would break out. I mourn for all of the stifled talent in the world. And yes – the porch on the second house is amazing – especially given that it was designed by a 15-year-old! When I was a student, one of my professors told me that “there will never be another Frank Lloyd Wright”. I didn’t fully understand what he meant back then, but I certainly do today.
The third one is my favorite, probably because it is thr most extravagant, and an interesting combination of Mission, Deco, and maybe even some Moderne influence in a Prairie form. I only wish it had a stained wood interior like its more modest sibling (the first).
What is the siding on the 2nd house? Is it a Dutch or shiplap siding with decorative profile?
I think the siding on the second house is normal clapboard which has been fastened in alternating course widths (probably a 2″ and 4″ reveal or something close to that). The technique was fairly popular for “modern” houses of the period – Craftsman and Prairie – but normally it was done with wood shingles. Clapboard examples such as this are more rare. I agree about the painted woodwork – it never seems to look good in houses from this era.
i think Ross’s word for all of this is gobsmacked. that a teenager designed these incredibly complex and beautiful houses filled with iconic but just slightly changed touches. they are related to prairie but absolutely unique. i am stunned. the living room on the yorktown house is one of the most together rooms i have ever seen (and with all the blogs i follow, i’ve seen a lot) and the multi roof levels on the quaker house are totally groundbreaking. they echo the period but are so far beyond it as to defy description. the windows may be catalog but there are so many styles and they so fit the house. and i could stare at the madison porch all day. with those roof bands and the massive columns, it is just so far beyond wright. i am awe struck and thank you again for bringing us a so underrated architect . you can see where he was going to the later houses from the slightly different way these are imagined. and a freakin teenager – jeez louise.
21 years old?! What’s the background on that? Was it a house for a relative?
Bruce Goff was apprenticed to the Tulsa architectural firm of Rush, Endicott and Rush at age 12. He caught on rather quickly and was designing houses as a teenager. We don’t have many child prodigies anymore because we view youthful apprenticeships as “child abuse”. I would argue that our current school system is more harmful to young people than a creative work environment in the “real” world!