A chance meeting in 1964 between John H. White, MD and architect Karl Kamrath on the site of the future Epstein Medical Clinic at Bayshore Hospital (MacKie and Kamrath, 1964, demolished) led to a commission for a house for White`s young family in Meadowcreek Village.
White had been interested in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright since college and was pleased to meet an architect who had similar passions. White recalled that `Kamrath said he was very busy, and would work on our plans if we agreed to be patient in receiving them and if we would agree to build the house as he designed it.` With Kamrath`s advice, White selected a large, private wooded lot on Berry Bayou.
Kamrath presented preliminary sketches in early 1965. The house, an L-shaped Usonian built of rose-blend St. Joe brick and redwood, was completed in 1968. It includes many elements typical of Kamrath`s work including art glass windows, a wide decorated front door and built-in furniture. Bishop and Walker were landscape architects. The current owner continues to restore the house to it`s original design and finishes.
This section of Meadowcreek Village contains many houses built for physicians from Pasadena General Hospital who later collectively founded Pasadena Bayshore Hospital. It also became an enclave for many of the Houston Pilots from the ship channel. Architects Mackie & Kamrath, Clovis Heimsath, Lucian Hood, Betty Jo Jones, James Womack, and Howard Wisenbaker designed mid-century modern houses in the neighborhood. Today a rich mix of residents – both new and long-term original homeowners – make for an active community around the park
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