Should This House Have Been Saved?
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2023
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Dive into the riveting history of the Micheels House - a modern architectural marvel designed by legendary architect Paul Rudolph, the pioneer of the Sarasota School of Architecture. Witness the rise and fall of this masterpiece as it stands, dazzles, and eventually succumbs to the relentless wave of progress.
Location: Westport, Connecticut
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The ground quartz inside the stucco was brilliant, and a very similar application to what was being installed in many suburban homes of the era. From the late 1950's through the 1970's, you could find many homes with an asbestos "popcorn" texture mixed with silver glitter. Though it's considered dated nowadays, I've always thought it was a beautiful ceiling treatment. I feel like a lot of significant artifacts from this time period go *vastly* under-appreciated in terms of their contribution to the design world, and thusly find themselves in a state of neglect and disrepair. Developers have no respect for what they demolish or put on the landscape. Many have casual design experience, and as such, they are completely blind when it comes to context - thus the reason we have so many McMansions out there nowadays. Gone are the days when an Architect could barely be out of college and buy himself a plot of land, design something with much care and rigor - an actual *artifact,* not a McMansion - that can be enjoyed forever. Land isn't as easily acquired, and "spec homes," as builders call them, are WAY too expensive to build. Developers and builders have the capital required to acquire land, and it's the all mighty dollar that dictates design nowadays. Sorry for writing a book. 😞
Would love to see what sort of a mcmansion is now sitting on 3.2 million dollars worth of land . . .
@@genghis_connie thankyou.
@@The_Smith That’s odd. I also added a link to the house listing, and the comment seems to have disappeared.
@@genghis_connie I think youtube strips url links, I used the co-ordinates you posted and was able to to get an aerial view of what I think was it.
@@The_Smith I posted the address. You can paste it in Google to see the listing.
It seems like some links still work and some don’t.
Oh, well.
At best it is offensively non-descript, and at worst it is a hideous, soul-less vanity palace. You can see it on Zillow by typing in the address (16 Minute Man Hl, Westport, CT 06880). It has changed hands a few times, so there are plenty of pics.
It is indeed sad to see gems like this torn down. While that era is not my favorite, I certainly appreciate the artistry. That old song, "Pave paradise, put up a parking lot" popped up in my mind. Thanks again for an interesting post.
Hollywood demolish most of its history for ugly buildings. Sad
These teardowns make me so sad and angry😢
not me
So, so sad. Thanks for bringing us these videos.
I LOVE that you added the locations in the video description.
The ground quartz in the stucco was brilliant.
I love this house so much. What was the consensus on why it didn’t sell?
From what I gathered, it was a mix of 2 things:
1. The amount of maintenance it needed would have been expensive.
2. The area was being redeveloped with new, luxury houses and it would have seemed out of place in the changing real estate landscape.
@@ThisHouse Good reasons. A shame.
I'd never heard of this house, how devastating that it was so carelessly destroyed!! The quick history of Paul Rudolph was so interesting! I am from Los Angeles, and most of my architecture knowledge comes from there and Paul Rudolph has always interested me bc his work in LA alone has a surprising range. I hadn't seen any of the building you showed in this video and his range was even more than I realized!! I know there is a documentary about him on PBS that I really need to watch :) Thankfully, in Los Angeles we are very proactive in granting historic preservation protection to so much of our architectural gems so we have only lost a few of these kinds of modernist masterpieces. It is so sad to see a house like the Micheels house lost.
Such a unique style but all I can think of is dust collecting on all those surfaces
So sad - doesn’t matter the architecture always tragic when houses are demolished instead of restored and historicaly preserved. I can’t even-😢
I'm in northern California and there's a couple mid century modern homes in my neighborhood
If you like them, you would love a visit to Chicago. So many gems.
I used to live off Mies Van Der Rohe Wqy downtown.
And oh, his furniture collections. I wish. ❤
@@genghis_connie they are all over California too, in my area there were builders who built mostly mid century modern homes,
@@califdad4 Especially Palm Springs, yes?
Every state has them. IL has a Frank Lloyd Wright tour every year. I wish I would have gone before I moved.
@@genghis_connie I'm just outside of Sacramento Streng Bros built a bunch around Sacramento, Carmichael and Roseville
@@califdad4 Oh! Thanks for that.
I have a small, basic brick one-story in the desert and am always looking for inspiration- especially making my exterior interesting.
Thanks!
A site on a grade is a great gift to an architect. It offers many possibilities not available on flat ground.
The opening shot is Sarasota High School "the new building" where I graduated in 1978. The architect's ideas sound good, but don't necessarily succeed in real life, and they aren't always well-built. The school has wide breezeways to help with the hot weather, but the high, stepped panels of roof covering did not keep out the frequent torrential downpours, and you would have to run on the slippery concrete not to get soaked. Water would collect and the floors were always wet and you would track dirty water into the classroom. The other building on the campus was the "old building" which was gothic and so much more comfortable. Both buildings have been preserved.
Had the same kind of architecture in the new high school building I went to in 1973. The building was a disaster and had to be completely rebuilt.
Loved that you featured something different. I love the older homes you select for your videos but this was a nice change.
That must have been hell to heat and cool.
I just love the late 60's versions. Probably one of the best looking cars for the time. Cheers from Australia
Great episode! Check out the Rudolph residential masterpiece in Fort Worth Texas for the Bass Family. It is incredible! Rudolph designed a couple of beautiful glass skyscrapers that were also built in Fort Worth for the Bass Brothers.
Ya know. I tend to love Victorian architecture and have an intense dislike for modern and brutalist architecture. Honestly, the downfall of this home shouldn't bother me and should even make me smirk because so many beautifully crafted Victorian masterpieces fell to the same fate to build places like this. For some reason though, this one left me feeling saddened and melancholic. It wasn't to my personal taste, much too bland and geometric, however there was something different about this one. With such clean, well thought out spaces and a healthy dollop of legacy to boot. The destruction of this home was a sad waste that reminds one that they cant stop the steamroller of progress, even if those at the helm aren't even clear what they are progressing towards or even why they are doing so. The fall of this home was just, so uncalled for.
I agree with his contemporaries. For 1973, this DOES look out of place. And it looks like Wright's Falling Water. This would have been forward thinking 50 years earlier. German art moderne designs looked very similar with rounded corners instead of right angled corners. So, yea, unfortunately, a person does get stuck sometimes in an aesthetic.
I was really hoping the description for this video was wrong. I wanted to hear that it was saved at the last moment and was now a museum open to the public. It's a crime that this magnificent building was demolished.
Hey Ken, have you done Madison’s house, Montpellier? There’s a lot there. The DuPont additions were removed and it is restored to original form now. Lots online about the changes and history
Nice looking house but it looks like it had a weather tightness issues. It could be rebuilt to modern standards with better detailing to eliminate those problems. It is the type of house that could be recreated
I'm actually stunned this was demolished
The design of the supporting columns was wonderful - strong yet with a delicate appearance.
thank you!
very similar style to Rudolf Schindler. He designed the Lovell Beach House in Newport Beach, CA. check it out👍🏾
Anyone remember the Rancho Mirage tragedy? That was Richard Neutera's Molson House demolished at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning?
that house had all the charm of a Motel 6 combined with a strip center.
I understand the people that bought the iconic Maslon House, 1963, told the family they were going to restore it?: what scary structure replaced it? Being on a private golf-course it can't really be seen.
@@PeterMcDonald-sl9rt The replacement is uninspiring to say the least. A typical Rancho Mirage Spanish "thing" was built in its place.
Wish you could have included a photo of the McMansion replacement to complete the sickening effect.
🙏😊 Ken
I see this a lot in the metro Detroit area, old architecture being replaced with strip malls and fast food places
While the style of the house doesn't suit me, I did like certain elements of it. Unfortunately, it reminds me of the old saying that not every great design looks great once it's made.
Ken, not sure how interested you are in doing more home tours, but I see that the Nabisco House there in St. Louis is up for sale again. Maybe the realtors would allow a tour? We can always hope...
This House might’ve looked good in Palm Springs, Califonia, but not my taste. I don’t feel sad about its loss.
They do say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Cheers!
@@ThisHouse That is so true, Ken. I didn’t say that I was happy that it got torn down and it’s replacement was probably made as huge as the law would allow it to be. Ken, I thank you for your input and for this incredible community that you’ve built here!
Such a tragedy that this fantastic building was destroyed.
I can understand that the vinyl siding--asphalt shingle crowd wouldn't like Rudolph: a lot of people don't. Fortunately for them, there remains the warmth of shag carpet and Harvest Gold appliances nestled under a wood framed Mansard roof.
I JUST READ THE COMMENT BELOW HERE AND I ALMOST COULD HAVE WRITTEN IT MYSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "JUNK" LIKE THIS HAS REPLACED MANY FINE LANDMARKS, BUT THIS UNUSUAL STRUCTURE STILL STRIKES A NERVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS 9 YEARS OLD IN 1971!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS WHOLE THING GIVES ME MIXED FEELINGS, AND I WISH THE SILLY THING WAS STILL THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT GIVES NEW MEANING TO THOSE THREE KEY WORDS IN REAL ESTATE: DEMOLITION, DEMOLITION, DEMOLITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sad that some have NO CARE
Sad world 😢
Wew what a maze
The people that can really appreciate, preserve and cherish this type of "art form" usually can't afford it, and those that can, and do, mostly: DON'T! We say this a lot here in Southern California, where significant architectural and character buildings are being destroyed almost weekly, in the name of "progress." The push to totally eliminate residential zoning, coming out of Sacramento will be the final nail in the coffin of the historic oreservation movement. We even have flashy people who make a big show of buying a property for preservation/restoration and then turn around when escrow closes with the wrecking-ball and bulldozer. In this sad case "those that cannot remember the past, will be made to relive it," could be a GOOD thing?
Beutiful house
I have another ask. I really love your work. I don’t have a wide spectrum of architectural knowledge.
When you show buildings and homes in a montage, like in this video, is there a chance you could include it on the image?
It’s extra work, I know. I would be happy to do it (for free) if you and anyone else thinks it would add value.
Regardless, I appreciate the lid channel and your hard work!
😢
I would feel ashamed to live in a McMansion, even more so if said McMansion were built on the site of this masterpiece.
👍
"Everything us For Sale if the Price is right" (that Human Ego Mind)
While countless panic to save another Victorian, the more rare examples of Architectural Mind's Maturing in the early through mid 20th Century, get cast to demise. For it 8s the subject of evolving, maturing continues to hold fear of the many whom see it as "an Exoression of Liberalism", and the fearful are insistent on the preservation of Traditional, and all associated with Conservative, like Elizabeth's Victorian reoresents.
Beth Bartlett
Sociologist/Behavioralist
and Historian
Masterpiece? I doubt this late work even made the top ten of Paul Rudolph's many residential designs. My personal favourite is the Frederick Deering House from 1958.
I do like some modern styles (not all) and I appreciate the cubist design prowess in this creation but to me; not to be cynical or mean, this was a stilt house in a place where it wasn't needed. I don't like cantilever or stilt designs. I feel 80% of architectural innovation is predetermined by the site. I know, I know. I'm an ole stick in the mud. Old fogie. A scrooge. Don't care. I like what I like.
So sad that Human's must Destroy the works of Art if others
Just like Fl to 'make way for new...'and I say as a Floridan. A shame.
Your audio is quite low, turn it up!
Great commentary Ken but I am not into modern
the saddest part of this entire story is someone paid 3.2 million to have this amazing structure demolished...Imagine what 3.2 million would have looked like had it been invested in updating this masterpiece? Even though they don't show it, I'm sure whatever house sits there now is ugly and generic af.
It's sad that a unique house is demolished for a Basic Becky McMansion
Shameful 😢
he rolling in his grave rn
That’s what happens when people think in terms of the almighty dollar rather than historic significance, sad.
I don't think it matters that his house was demolished.
its this attitude that is the reason all the big beautiful Victorians were torn down.
I’m sorry.. I appreciate the gilded age older homes and mansions more because I absolutely love their historic beauty and furnishings that fills the rooms with extravagance and awe.
The sound is distorted 😢can't understand you.
Some architects are highly overrated.
Paul Rudolph was not an architect but an architectural stylist, interpreting the ideas of others and hoping to be heralded as their equal.
My thoughts?????? Not a great style. There have been many more beautiful mansions that have been torn down, too. Pretty sad!
This architectural style is so not my taste
So, I'm glad it really only exists sporadically IRL and in The Sims games.
concrete slab designs. it was bound to fail
Architecturally significant. Most probably. Aesthetically pleasing. Almost definitely not.
Looks like a crazy chicken coup made out of old mobile homes.
I do not like Paul Rudolph's architecture, there is no sense of human scale, no balance and no proportion. This house would be perhaps useful as a company's headquarters offices. No loss that it was torn down. Too bad it was replaced with a McMansion.
It looked like an ugly community college building from the 70s..
Brutalist architecture is so schizophrenic. That house was a perfect example of it. No rhythm. No harmony. Doesn't relate to the environment around it or to itself.
I guess the masterpiece is in the eye of the beholder. I behold a very ugly house. Looks like something the Soviets built for their citizens. Hate Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses too. I am more of a Biltmore style house person.
Not a fan of the style...
Personally I think it's ugly..
Taste is Subjective.
...But aesthetics aren't. This thing is a mess.
I agree, I truly dislike it-inside and out. It seems so contrived, something blocking the flow everywhere. All I can think of is living in an adjacent house and having to look at it all the time. But why would the family pass on $3.2 million?!
God, this house is ugly. The guy spent a year designing, only to create something that nobody give a crap about.
Brutal, dehumanizing, and ultimately unnecessary. All "modern" architects should be put on a way trip to the moon. Modern life is anti-human enough without everything around us looking like it came out of the USSR.
Let’s put you on a trip to USSR since you enjoy being antimodern so much
"Ripped down for a McMansion..." The loss is ours. Thanks, rich jerks!