October 2018 Mod of the Month

October 14, 2018
1111 Guinea Drive, Hilshire Village, Houston, TX 77055

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The enduring value of good design is evident in the 1964 house by architect Tom McKittrick designed for his own family in the small city of Hilshire Village. Floor to ceiling glass joins brick planes at decked patio spaces, blurring the bounds of indoors and out. Spaces are ample and flow freely across the original poured terrazzo floor beneath the flat-roofed structure which has been maintained by the architect’s family as he envisioned. The compound also includes a 1970 studio/guest house with a spectacular double volume central space and loft. The house was featured in a 1966 Better Homes and Gardens publication.

Thomas Lamar McKittrick (1934 – 2013) was born and raised in Houston and graduated from Rice Institute in 1957 with an architecture degree. After serving in the Navy he became a registered architect in 1963 and co-established the firm originally known as McKittrick Drennan & Richardson, which specialized in the design of schools and pioneered energy efficient sustainable design. Later, he earned his Master of Architecture degree at Texas A & M University where he also taught design studios, eventually becoming a full professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, and interim Department Head. McKittrick was a Fellow in the AIA and served as AIA Houston President, Texas Society of Architects President, and national AIA Vice President. He also served as Mayor of Hilshire Village.

Houston Mod Members:
Members, please join us at 1:00 PM for a talk by Barbara McKittrick, wife of the late architect, who will discuss her husband’s career; aspects of living in this mod home; and other mod houses in the neighborhood. Special snacks and refreshments will be served.

All Others:
All are welcome to join us from 2:00 to 4:00 PM to help us find a new preservation-minded owner for this vintage modern house located in Hilshire Village, about 9 miles west of downtown.