Cite Fall 1988

Big Cite Beat RDA gala chairman Carolyn Farb with Dean 0. Jack Mitchell. m- Asphalt jungle: The Texas m- Fridge of sighs: As a means of at the dinner dance by a string quartet from Department of Highways and last developing bayou-front housing Jk the Shepherd School of Music. Transportation working with the downtown, the Harris County College of Architecture at Texas A&M Commissioners Court has resolved to Fifty-five birthday toys, created by artists will sponsor a national design convert the 62-year-old and architects in recognition of RDA's competition for the beautification of the Terminal and Cold Storage Warehouse, 15th Anniversary, were displayed under 60-acrc intersection of Interstate Highway at the confluence of White Oak and Lovett Hall's arcade by art consultant 45 and Loop 610 in Houston. $500,000 Buffalo bayous, to a 4,200-bed detention Rocio Oden and auctioned during the has been set aside for the first phase of center, despite the protests of evening to the highest bidder. Dinner was construction in 1990. The competition, preservationists and bayou-philes. served by caterer Don Strange with spirits funded in part by a $45,000 National donated by the Quality Beverage Endowment for the Arts grant, will w The soft thud of tent folding: The Company, Hillman Distributing commence in October, according to Houston office of Skidmore, Owings Company, and the Atlantic Ice Company. advisor Harlow Landphair, professor of and Merrill will close effective Guests danced under the stars to the landscape architecture at A&M. Entry September 1988. Gray books has closed sounds of Ezra Charles and the Works. forms and information are available from its University Village shop and headed The table centerpieces were antique toys the College of Architecture, College for the hills of Boulder, Colorado. on loan from local antique dealers and Station, TX 77843. assembled by Penny Millican. Neiman- w Eminence grise: The gray cedar- Marcus provided the "Step Back in m- Job specs: Linda Sylvan has been sided, glass-roofed Menil Collection, JJ u Time" party favors - antique lace named acting executive director of the designed by Rcnzo Piano in joint venture handkerchiefs and silk bow ties. Rice Design Alliance, effective August with Richard Fitzgerald and 1988. She also will continue as managing Associates, received a national Honor Gala Celebrates RDA's Gala honoree O. Jack Mitchell was editor of Cite, a post she has held since Award for Design Excellence from the presented with an "O.-Jack-in-the-Box," 1983. Sylvan replaces Barbara Cochran, American Institute of Architects for 1988. 15th Anniversary abasswood model of the Rice University executive director from 1986-1988, who is The Rice Design Alliance's 15th School of Architecture building created returning to the practice of architecture. • r Knot in my backyard: Kathy Anniversary Gala, "A Step Back in Time," by Jay Baker, Rob Civitello, and Phil Campbell of the University of Houston was held Saturday evening, 21 May, Schawe of the Office for Architecture m- Cover story: The outer wrapping, as Creative Writing Program and Brazos and honored O. Jack Mitchell who + Design. it were, of the Winter 1987 issue of Cite Bookstore magnate Karl Kilian, board is completing his tenth and final year as (photograph by Paul member and former president of dean of Rice University's School of Gala benefactors included Mrs. Diane S. 11 1 Hester, design by 111 RDA, committed merger in May Architecture. Chairman Carolyn Farb Baker and Mr. Edward C. Stanton, III, lit Cite II Alisa Bales) received WIT amidst the picturesque, lot-lined planned the event which was held in the Brochstcins Inc., Gensler and Associates a certificate of i n verdure of Southampton Extension. academic court of the Rice University Architects. Taft Architects, and Vinson & design excellence campus. Over 400 guests, many in turn- Elkins. from Print magazine. - i i m- Montrose shuffle: Suzanne of-the-century attire, were welcomed to Delehanty will become director of the Contemporary Arts Museum in January 1989. She is • presently director of the Neuberger Museum at SUNY Purchase. ; m- Taste of Texas: The Texas Wfe: ;, 1 Society of Architects has THE BURLINGTON recognized the Libbie Rice Farish Gallery of the Rice School m- Rockettes: The city's lowest profile of Architecture with a special example of appropriated art in semi- achievement award. The gallery, which public places can be found at 5503 Ashby opened in 1981 in the James Stirling, in a threesome of granite bricks collaged Michael Wilford-designcd addition to just fractions of an inch above the rough- Anderson Hall, was cited for the cut St. Augustine grass to approximate contributions made by its program of Michael Heizer's mammoth 45°, 90°, "exhibitions and lectures on architecture, 180" in the engineering quadrangle at urbanism. and related subjects" for the Rice (see Cite, Spring 1985). "quality of life for the entire community."

Sign of the times, m- Citelines Paradise Paved

ublic transportation agencies Differences in peak-demand periods of parking lots (low fencing or landscaping This piece of legislation is by no means are spending approximately land uses in the development allow for a greatly enhances the appearance of radical or heavy-handed. In its concept, P $1 billion each year on roadway reduction of 15 to 20 percent in the total surface parking) or to consider ways to the ordinance reflects a trend in local improvements designed to keep Houston amount of parking spaces needed. lessen the visual impact of parking planning theory to equitably assess the moving. Meanwhile, the City Planning structures. impact of development wherever it occurs Commission has begun to wonder where Also created to address densely and to require builders to contain the we're all going to park. A committee, developed areas are special districts "Backdoor zoning," the battle cry raised added impacts. Examples of this chaired by Planning Commissioner Kay called Parking Management Areas each time development-related legislation approach are the Harris County Flood Crooker, and composed of development, (PMAs). Those named in the ordinance is proposed, will likely be heard. But it is Control District's fioodwater retention professional, and civic association are Downtown Houston, Uptown not valid in this case. In fact, an program, the city's Capital Recovery interests is proposing standards for the Houston, Summit Area, and South inefficiency of this ordinance is the fact Charge for wastewater capacity, and number of parking spaces needed for Main/Medical Center. Comprehensive that it is not coupled with zoning Rights-of-Way dedication requirements commercial and residential development. parking plans, developed by entities regulations. Inner-city areas and for land subdivisions in the path of The committee's proposal is an Off-Street representing these areas, can substitute neighborhoods adjacent to commercial proposed thoroughfares. Parking and Loading Ordinance. for the parking standards prescribed in development are to be relieved of more the ordinance. With credit for the on-street parking only to become If adopted by city council, the Off-Street The ordinance is a straightforward presence of transit facilities as well as vulnerable to the intrusion of parking lots Parking Ordinance will be another step in proposal. It requires that new shared parking, PMAs have the lowest into their less-expensive real estate. In public safeguarding of the quality of development, or redevelopment, provide per-unit parking requirements. areas where the value of land exceeds the private development in Houston. for the increased parking demand value of improvements, off-street parking Although it will not further the cause of generated and prohibits truck-loading Because Houston is late in setting up this requirements could hasten the loss of controlling the location of the land uses docks which open directly onto type of control it is possible to learn from significant buildings. The trade-off here that generate traffic, it will impose much thoroughfares. Parking space other cities. Standard-parking demand is the fact that neighborhoods plagued by needed controls upon the quality of those requirements are ratios based upon the ratios have been used or adjusted to local on-street parking congestion caused by land uses - wherever they occur. type of proposed use. If the site being conditions, compact-car spaces are nearby development may now have a developed cannot accommodate the allowed, and the maintenance of parking more effective tool than "No Parking" Mike Davis needed spaces, up to 25 percent of lots is mandated in the proposed signs to address this problem. But required parking may be located off-site, ordinance. Little thought is given to because existing uses are not required to but not more than 500 feet distant. aesthetics, however. Shared parking and conform to ordinance provisions, desired Provisions are made for shared parking PMA planners are neither required nor changes will not be immediately evident. in planned, mixed-use developments. offered incentive trade-offs to screen Cite Fall 1988

Fall Architectural best-known modernist architect in , Houston. These domestic environments ,,// * • • • * ( ( will display the full range of Barnstone's Events •i n •»»i nil distinctive style, a low-key modern lilt , , t , I * • • I » t approach that emphasized simplicity of Rice Design Alliance \ surface yet was capable of inducing . powerful, intense sensations resulting P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas • 77251-1892, 713/524-6297 from the manipulation of space, light, 14 September - Fall Lecture: Peter Cook and view. of Archigram fame, 8 PM, Brown Auditorium, the Museum of Fine Arts, Barnstone, who came to Houston in 1948 Houston. following his graduation from Yale Project for "Blob" Office Building, Trafalgar Square, London, 1986. 20 Oct - "Howard Barnstone." lecture by University, was strongly affected in the Jan Kaplicky and David Nixon, Future Systems, architects. architectural historian Stephen Fox, early years of his practice by the great Brown Auditorium, the Museum of Fine German-American architect, , one of the founders of Arts. Houston. Central Houston. Inc., The Rice Center, Laguna Gloria Art Museum the modern movement in architecture in 30 Oct - Howard Barnstone: An Rice Design Alliance, and Uptown Austin, Texas the 1920s and designer of Cullinan Hall Architectural Tour, Open to the public Houston. The symposium will focus on 512/478-7742 and the Brown Pavilion of the Museum Sunday from 12 noon to 5 PM will be the effect of transporation systems on 24-25 September - "Proud Hands," an of Fine Arts, Houston. It was, however, houses and apartments designed by urban form and function. Panelists exhibition by Texas architectural artisans the intervention of the New York Barnstone, for 35 years the best-known include Sig Grava of Columbia University sponsored by Austin Women in architect, , in Houston that modernist architect in Houston. an John de Monchaux, dean of the School Architecture, the Austin Chapter of the of Architecture and Planning at MIT. attracted Barnstone to the austere, American Institute of Architects, and disciplined elegance of Miesian For reservations and information about George R. Brown Convention Center, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, will bring architecture. The Miesian-style house 8 AM to 5 PM, $40. events, telephone the Rice Design together Texas artisans whose work that Johnson designed for the Alliance, 713/524-6297. expresses the human touch in our built Houstonians Dominique Schlumberger Greater Houston Preservation Alliance environment. Jurors Charles Moore, and John dc Menil in 1950 was the means Farish Gallery 713/236-5000 Natalie DuBlois, Eugene George, and by which Barnstone was converted to M.D. Anderson Hull, Rice University, Guided walking tours of the Main Street- Peter Mcars selected 37 exhibitors who Miesian modern architecture. It also 713/527-4870 Market Square Historic District usually produce architectural works permanently brought Barnstone into contact with Mr. 7 Sept-10 Oct - Exhibition: "Future scheduled the third Wednesday (12 noon) affixed to buildings or used to define and Mrs. de Menil and their circle and Systems: Projects by Jan Kaplicky and and the fourth Sunday (2 PM) of every space. Many artists will demonstrate placed him at the center of avant-garde David Nixon." Designs by the month; group tours available upon their craft during the course of the culture in Houston in the 1950s and London/Los Angeles-based firm, request. Fee is $2; meet at the park-side exposition on Saturday from 10 AM to 1960s. Barnstone subsequently organized by the Architectural corner of Preston and Milam. For more 5 PM and Sunday, noon to 5 PM, on the collaborated with Philip Johnson on the Association, London. information call the Preservation Alliance. grounds of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum. design of the University of St. Thomas in 17 Oct-25 Nov - Exhibition: "Changing Houston and The Art Museum of South Places: Photographs by Catherine School of Architecture, University of Texas in Corpus Christi. Wagner." Wagner's photographs also will Texas at Austin be on exhibit at the Museum of Fine 512/471-1922 Howard Barnstone Arts, Houston, from 10 Sept-27 Nov in 28 August-9 October - Exhibition: During the 1960s and 1970s. Barnstone "American Classroom: The Photographs "Viollet Le Due and the Medieval Architectural Tour moved away from the rigors of Miesian of Catherine Wagner." Treasures of France." Harry Ransom modernism, designing houses with Center, 21st Street and Guadalupe. r discreetly self-effacing exteriors, Houston Chapter, American Institute 6 September-16 November - Exhibition: spatially-varied interiors, and carefully of Architects "Goldsmith Hall: A Building in designed interior-exterior relationships. 20 Greenwav Plaza, Suire 246, Houston, Perspective," featuring the work of Barnstone's sense of humor was Texas 77046-2002. 713/622-2081 French architect Paul Cret, designer of increasingly evident as well, lending to 19 Sept - Annual Meeting and Design Goldsmith Hall and consulting architect his houses a sense of playfulness, delight, Awards, 6 PM. Doubletree Hotel. $10 for the University of Texas at Austin, and surprise. He experimented with the members, $15 non-members. 1930-1945. Goldsmith Exhibition Hall. design of apartments and townhouses to r demonstrate the opportunities both 18-20 Nov - Texas Society of Architects 14 September - Lecture: "Ornament and offered for civilized urban living, Convention. San Antonio Architectural Space," by Kent Bloomer, 4 opportunities most such Houston 16 Dec - Christmas Party. PM, Jessen Auditorium. 3 October - Lecture: "Architectural examples negated, he justly felt. By the Peterkin House, 1983, Howard Barnstone, 1980s Barnstone had begun to incorporate For further information about these Design and Urban Planning." by Andres Duany, 4 PM, Jessen Auditorium. architect. historical stylistic elements in his houses, events, please call the AIA office. once this postmodern approach was 21 October - Symposium: "Architecture The Rice Design Alliance's 12th annual vs. Planning: Collision and Collaboration sanctioned by his life-long mentor. Philip Houston Architecture Foundation architectural tour, to be held from 12 noon Johnson. 20 Greenwav Plaza, Suite 246. Houston. in the Design of American Cities." to 5 PM Sunday, October 30, will be a Texas 77046-2002. 713/622-3256 Sponsored by the Center for the Study of tribute to the Houston architect Howard 30 Sepl - "Shaping the City," a urban American Architecture and the Graduate Barnstone, who died in April 1987. Open to In addition to his architectural practice, design symposium cosponsored by the Program in Community and Regional the public will be six houses and apartments Barnstone taught architectural design and American Institute of Architects/Houston, Planning; $20, $2 students. designed by Barnstone, for 35 years the urban planning at the University of Houston. He was the author of two important books on Texas architecture. The Galveston That \Mis (1966). the now- classic book that rediscovered the architectural history of 19th-century Galveston, and Tlie Architecture of John F. Staub. Houston and the South (1979), \ . \ on the work of Houston's foremost domestic architect of the 1920s and - 1930s. In Houston, Barnstone's best- • known non-residential buildings arc the -,*>•> and the Rice University • Media Center, both designed in ' :. i collaboration with Eugene Aubry for Mr. \ i and Mrs. dc Menil. Outside Houston his

1 works include Marti's in Nuevo Laredo, '"" Ik ^ B Mexico, the Schlumberger Austin Systems Center in Austin, and the 1 IDI ' ' •' Schlumberger-Dol! Research Center in ;i III II i %\< Ridgefield, Connecticut. * * fc • Howard Barnstone was a charismatic • figure, a stimulating, contrary, funny, and absolutely unconventional individual. As an architect, teacher, writer, and speaker, he strongly affected the architectural awareness of both design professionals and the general public. The Rice Design Alliance's architecture tour of the work of Howard Barnstone will give the public a rare opportunity to experience the • \. "magic" with which he sought to imbue his houses.

Stephen Fox Wonderwall, Louisiana World's Exposition, New Orleans, 1984. Photograph by Catherine Wagner For ticketing and further information please call the RDA office, 713/524-6297.