The Dallas Architecture Forum, on their 25th anniversary, highlighted eight architects in an informative and insightful way. The program at the Dallas Museum of Art was presented in two panels. One was led by Kate Aoki, AIA, who now designs the DMA exhibits, and Kelly Mitchell, AIA, who is a talented architect and who many…
4908 Lakeside Drive is Demolished – Start Saving Homes Now
4908 Lakeside Drive, Highland Park, Texas, should be the wakeup call that we should start saving homes now. “Start Saving Homes” should be the public cry. There is an understandable consternation when there is an onslaught of homes being torn down across the country, particularly one that has the significance of 4908 Lakeside Drive in…
Continue Reading about 4908 Lakeside Drive is Demolished – Start Saving Homes Now →
Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
New Urbanism is Like a Virus New Urbanism is a virus that keeps coming back in mutated forms – Organic Urbanism is the cure – Douglas Newby Why Does New Urbanism Need a Cure? New Urbanism is like a virus. For 50 year it keeps coming back in mutated forms. It needs a cure. First,…
Continue Reading about Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism →
Five Preservation Steps to Saving Historic and Architecturally Significant Homes in Highland Park and Across Country
From time to time, we hear of the demolition of an historic or architecturally significant home in the news. Inevitably there’s an outcry. Members of the community are understandably upset. Community leaders agree that “something must be done.” But what? Shaming a Buyer Who Tears Down a Home Has Never Saved a Home. These Five…
Saving Homes – Preservation Step Two
In my last article I proposed five steps for saving homes that were historic from demolition, with a deep dive into the first step: identifying and illuminating historic and architecturally significant homes. In this post, I’ll take a closer look at Step Two of the next four proactive preservation steps that will save homes. Recap…
Continue Reading about Saving Homes – Preservation Step Two →
Preservation Step Three and Four for Saving Homes is a Gamechanger
Preservation Step Three comes after identifying and illuminating historic and architecturally significant homes and contacting and cultivating the homeowners like the owners of the David Williams designed home. Preservation Step Three is a gamechanger. Architects and interior designers can create a vision for a renovated home. Inspectors, contractors and appraisers can determine the cost and…
Continue Reading about Preservation Step Three and Four for Saving Homes is a Gamechanger →
Preservation Step Five – Implementing Architectural Deed Restrictions Guarantee Saving Homes
Historic and architecturally significant homes will be saved with each of the first four steps. But preservation Step Five is the most powerful step. It will guarantee that the historic or architecturally significant home will be spared from being torn down. This final preservation step perpetuates the life of a historic or architecturally significant home…
Why There Is an Acceleration of Highland Park Homes Being Torn Down
For decades, Highland Park homes have been torn down, however, this year this activity has accelerated . Perhaps new residents have had an impact. For instance, the great influx of home buyers from California to Dallas has created many benefits for Dallas and has exacerbated some problems. The greatest negative effect on our urban landscape…
Continue Reading about Why There Is an Acceleration of Highland Park Homes Being Torn Down →
Highland Park Teardown or Architecturally Significant Survival?
A Highland Park teardown is just another old, out-of-date house or it is an architectural accomplishment designed by one of the best architects in Dallas or the country, and the former home of prominent residents. An insignificant Highland Park teardown makes room for a new architect-inspired home. An architecturally significant home that becomes another Highland…
Continue Reading about Highland Park Teardown or Architecturally Significant Survival? →
Sorority Home Saved at SMU
It never occurred to me until now that a sorority house is also a sorority home, and many times an historic home contributes to a campus or town. Homes are historic because of their architectural value or the residents that inhabited them or both. Sorority houses like this one, SMU’s Alpha Xi of Gamma Phi…
Highland Park Preservation Success
Historically and Architecturally Significant Home is Celebrated and Saved in Highland Park Preservation Success is achieved in Highland Park! Many consider this Highland Park home designed by Mark Lemmon to be the most historically significant home in Highland Park and maybe even in Dallas and North Texas. Highland Park, University Park, the State of Texas,…
Swiss Avenue Architectural Exclamation Mark
Swiss Avenue boulevard was created as the grandest street in Munger Place, the first deed restricted neighborhood in Dallas, where every home was required to be designed by an architect. In the early 1900s, Munger Place was considered the finest residence park in the Southland. Prominent Architects Designed Architecturally Significant Homes on Swiss Avenue That…
Continue Reading about Swiss Avenue Architectural Exclamation Mark →
Greenlining is Remedy for Redlining and Bluelining
Greenlining designated areas of Southern Dallas for new and renovated single-family homes would give that neighborhood a positive direction, an economic thrust, homeowner confidence that propels a neighborhood and a certainty of success. The More Homeownership in a Neighborhood, the Stronger the Neighborhood The strength, safety and viability of a neighborhood increases with the rise…
Continue Reading about Greenlining is Remedy for Redlining and Bluelining →
