Mid Century Modern Architecture

[neptunebob]

Would "The Jetsons" be considered mid-century?

Our community plans to build a new high school and I think the architects are watching a lot of Jetson reruns. Think Judy Jetson would go there? (Scroll to the bottom of the linked page to see a rendering)

BTW, the current HS was built in 1959 and is a glass rectangular box, so I guess that is mid-century too.

http://www.phsd.k12.pa.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=240&Itemid=227

 

[bugsyjones]

neptunebob

Sure the Jetsons would be considered MCM!

I really like the style of that school! The two-story front configuration DOES remind you of the Jetson's skypad apartments.

I think more schools should be individually designed with an emphasis on modern styles. I see too many new schools that are just boxes connected together. No personality.

My old alma mater, in my old hometown of Augusta, KS, is mid-century modern style. The gymnasium has flying gables, the commons area is sunken with a wall of floor to ceiling windows that look out onto the courtyard. The main office has a glass front with sliding glass doors for entry. It was built in 1973 I believe. I will obtain a photograph or two the next time I'm there.

~Tim

 

[spankomatic]

Here are some photos of a mid century elementry school...

 

[spankomatic]

2

 

[spankomatic]

3

 

[spankomatic]

4

 

[spankomatic]

5

 

[hydralique]

Certainly the whole aesthetic of The Jetsons was much influenced by the most modish architecture and design of the MCM era, so in that respect the show was Mid-Century.

From the rendering of the proposed new high school it's difficult to tell how truly Mid-Century it would be. The soaring triangular canopy at the entrance looks like it was cribbed directly from one of Albert Frey's most famous designs, a gas station in Palm Springs that has now been transformed into a visitor center. The rest of the school is an eclectic combination of various influences, even a bit of '70s Brutalism and then some shopping mall skylights. From the small scale of the rendering it's hard to tell what materials are being proposed and that's a key part of any design - are the red roofs sheetmtal, and do I see matching red windows at the upper corners of those trianular curtainwalls, a la Cesar Pelli? To be honest I feel for any architect trying to design a school now: the big issue is budget, and things like quality and good design often take a back seat. I wish them luck, and give them points for trying to do something other than a generic box.

Here is Frey's gas station. If it were in concrete then it would look more like something from John Lautner, another master of MCM architecture and creator of the Elrod House as pictured above. Just imagine leaving the Elrod house in a '59 Electra convertible and wafting over to Frey's gas station for a fillup . . .

 

[spankomatic]

6

 

[neptunebob]

You can't let MCM get shabby! It loses its look!

That elementary school is kind of like a mini version of the present HS. Actually even though the present HS has a 50's look it was a dark, depressing, overheated and creepy place on the inside as far back as the 70s. It's so bad off that the architects decided that it would cost as much to refursbish it as to build a new building (hydralique being an architect do you know anything about how a decision like this is made?). The link below is from the architect, it kind of explains the way they were thinking. It's kind of what they do on Trading Spaces.

One thing will be different I think: This design calls for balconies on the second floor - you should have heard what the audience had to say about that - The kids will throw each other over the balcony!

http://www.phsd.k12.pa.us/pdf/ProposedModelD.pdf

 

[58limited]

Here is the gym and auditorium of the high school in Port Arthur. Formerly known as Thomas Jefferson, the school was renamed to Memorial H.S. in 2003. The rest of the school looks like the elementary school posted by Jim, but is two stories.

Not a great pic, took from car.

 

[58limited]

Another picture, just the gym this time.

 

[spankomatic]

That roof looks like a skate boarders dream....

 

[a440]

What a great thread!

I have always loved these type of homes! Great pictures!
I grew up in a Victorian Home in New Orleans, but that was not good enough for me when I was a kid! I loved to go to the subdivisions that were built in the 50's and 60's. I just thought they were the best and most modern! Of course someway or another I would work my way into these homes and would explore. The owners never really seemed to mind and thought it was kind of cute. Go figure. I remember many of them having these amazing kitchens. I think the same builder built these homes because most of them had sunken in appliances that would pop up out of the counter! Can Openers, Blender bottoms, etc. Being in my youth I thought this was way too cool!
Anyway.....years later my partner and I are living in a home that was built in 1965. I guess you can consider it kind of mid century. It is a fun house with very large rooms.
Here are a few pictures.
Brent

 

[a440]

Front Door!
I have had so many people ask my why I don't replace these front door lights????

 

[a440]

Patio. You can run and jump onto the roof! I don't do this very often!!!!

 

[a440]

This is a picture from the street. This was taken in the fall when we placed our bid on the home close to 4 years ago! (man time flies)
I love everything about the house, but when fall comes it is murder! We have over 42 Oak trees and 20 pines. Slowly taking out the pines! Oh...and not to mention the streak of bad storms that can pop up any minute. Scary! Thank God we have not had any damage.
Brent

 

[bygted]

Front

Wow this is a great thread - seeing all of the great architecture is awesome!
Here are some shots of my place.
Not as ultra mid century mod as I would have liked - but it does the job for now...

 

[bygted]

Front 2

more of the front

 

[bygted]

Back

The addition - deck and upper part of the pond that I built on the rear...