October 2016 Mod of the Month

Please help us find new preservation-minded owners for these vintage contemporary houses located in the Meyerland, Westbury and Braes Timbers subdivisions of Houston, about 8 – 10 miles southwest of downtown. Thanks to Houston MODern Market for sponsoring this FREE event. Save the date for the next MODern Market on April 21-23, 2017.

Joel Brand, FAIA designed this expansive modern house featuring broad plate glass walls opening to partially walled landscaped gardens from most rooms. Many rooms are fitted with extensive built-in cabinetry. Joel Brand is a graduate of the University of Houston College of Architecture. He became registered to practice in Texas in 1966. He first worked for Howard Barnstone beginning in 1957 and later for Bolton & Barnstone before co-founding Brand & Allen in 1965. Joel Brand worked prolifically in the Houston area before moving to central Texas and later to the west coast.

4815 Braesvalley Drive, Meyerland, Houston, TX 77096

HAR Link  |  Google Map

This house has a unique and inviting floor plan with multiple living areas featuring walls of glass opening to private outdoor spaces. The entry sequence has a Palm Springs feel with a stylish double porte-cochère connecting to a double door entry through cactus-lined court topped with soaring beams. Architect Lars Bang designed the house in 1956. Bang was a 1950 graduate of the University of Houston and first worked for Phillip Willard where he had a hand in designing over one thousand houses. He designed and built the internationally acclaimed Bendit House from 1952 – 1954. He partnered with Lucian Hood until 1959 on several large projects. Bang formed his own firm in 1960 and concentrated mostly on commercial projects for the remainder of his career.

10815 Kit Street, Westbury, Houston, TX 77096

HAR Link  |  Google Map

This flat-roofed vintage modern house has a partially covered court yard entry opening to a spacious living area viewing the unusually large park-like back yard. If you know about the history of this house, please share with the information to Houston Mod.

9307 McAvoy Drive, Braes Timbers, Houston, TX 77074

HAR Link  |  Google Map

This house may be on drive-by only status on Sunday.
This very attractive contemporary style house was designed by architect Lucian T. Hood, Jr., a 1952 graduate of the University of Houston. Hood was a master at designing picturesque elevations while creating captivating perspective drawings of his projects. Flexible living spaces, complete with brick wall and fireplace, open wide to the expansive views of a giant lot and swimming pool. Hood designed mostly modern architecture until the mid to late 1960’s when a demand for more traditional styles necessitated a change. His extensive archives are now preserved at the University of Houston Special Collections library. Sadly, many of his most spectacular modern houses have been demolished and many records have been lost.