Tulsa's International Style Architecture

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by hoodlum

The effect of mass, of static solidity, hitherto the prime quality of architecture, has all but disappeared; in its place there is an effect of volume. The prime architectural symbol is no longer the dense brick, but the open box. Indeed, the great majority of buildings are in reality, as well as in effect, mere planes surrounding a volume. With skeleton construction enveloped only by a protective screen, the architect can hardly avoid achieving this effect of surface, of volume, unless in deference to traditional design in terms of mass he goes out of his way to obtain the contrary effect.

-Henry Russel Hitchcock and Phillip Johnson
The International Style, 1932 (exhibition catalogue, Museum of Modern Art, New York)

That's a great quote Hoodlum.  My take on this is the "form follows function" argument, and I would not argue with that.

[hoodlum]

a sampling of modern architecture in Oklahoma from 1958



JayCee headquarters in Tulsa (demolished)



Convention Center with original arena design

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by hoodlum


Please pick up Kenneth Frampton's book, it is the best way to learn about the enormity of the modern movement in the 20th century and what caused it.

I have already reserved my checkout of this book at my local Tulsa library.  Thank you for informing us of the book and for your posts of the marvelous pictures.

[NCTulsan]

Hoodlum, if it's not too much to ask, could you list the picture captions from the first page of Oklahoma examples you just posted?  The captions are just a little blurry, but I'd love to know what some of those buildings are.  Thank you in advance.

[tulsa1603]

You might research Brasilia, the master planned city.  It is full of this kind of stuff.

In my opinion, the old dorms at OSU, Willham, Drummond, Kerr, etc. could probably be considered part of this.  I remember as a young architecture student first getting a grasp on International style and modernism, I was able to appreciate the details in some of those places.  Of course, they were in horrible condition....hadn't been painted or upkept appropriately.  Willham has been demolished and replaced with cheap apartments.  I'm having a hard time understanding the reasoning behind demolishing 15 story concrete structures and replacing them with two and three story wood frame buildings.  But that's just me.  We got 40 years out of the high rise dorms, I can't imagine we'll get that many years out of these new ones.

[hoodlum]

I will get the magazine out this weekend and post the captions.

[Hometown]

As we have gone along the discussion has expanded a bit to include Mid-Century Modernism.  It looks to me like Mid-Century Modernism stands on the foundation of early International Style (rather than Art Deco).  Now as we go deeper into this discussion I'm wondering where does ORGANIC MODERNISM (like the Eugene Bavinger house near Norman) fit into the picture.  I would guess that the ORU Campus and the Abundant Life building relate more to Organic Modernism than International Style Modernism.  

Is anyone willing to talk about how Organic Modernism fits into the bigger picture?

[hoodlum]

mid-century modern is only a fashionable term for modern architecture that happened in the 50's and 60's. I cringe when I use the term mid-century, because really what we are talking about is modern architecture that can trace its roots back to the earlier days of modernism (early 20th century. organic modernism is a new one to me, i have never heard the term. I have heard the term organic architecture, but that was in speaking of Frank Lloyd Wright.

[Hometown]

That's it.  Organic architecture.  I've heard it used in reference to Bruce Goff's later work.  How does organic architecture fit into the scheme of Modernism?

I have read that Frank Loyld Wright strongly influenced very early European International Style architecture.

[hoodlum]

i hadn't heard that about Wright, if anything i was thinking the opposite, that Wright and early european modernist movements like DeStil, Bauhaus, itaian futurists evolved seperatelty. i also believe that Wright did not like the term modernism. i think Wright was a cross between art nouveau, art deco and austrian seccesionism and the aforementioned movements. Maybe kind of shooting from the hip here and not much time to formulate a solid reason.

[Hometown]

Volunteer photographer is running late on promised pics.  meanwhile, here's some stuff from the internet to chew on.

Bruce Goff's Eugene Bavinger House


Question, how does Bruce Goff's Eugene Bavinger House fit into Modernism?

I admit I didn't learn about Bruce Goff until a couple of years ago, but I knew Boston Avenue Methodist was something special.



Well, how about George Jetson Modernism at ORU


De Stijl


Bauhaus


Austrian Secessionism


Brasilia

[Hometown]

As we've gone along here the conversation has expanded to include more recent examples of International Style architecture.  After World War II International Style was also known as Modern architecture.  Today was a lovely day to stroll around Tulsa's Civic Center Plaza.

Civic Center looking west from Fifth Street.


Check out the Library's new signage.  Good intentions but bad Modernism.


You know, the Library has charm.


And this covered seating looks to be original.


Here's City Hall.  Average Joe cited it as an example of International Style architecture.


Civic Center Plaza terminates at the Convention Center.


If you will permit a one sentence editorial.  Remodeling the Convention Center will destroy its monetary and historic value.

Looking east across Civic Center Plaza towards the core of downtown.


Look, Tulsa has some Modern public art.


Not to mention a couple of dormant fountains on Civic Center Plaza.  Apologies to the zoo but the penquin doesn't rank this central spot.  And the mural on the fountain ain't original.


Well let's just walk on over and take a look at the YMCA and his next door neighbor.  Joe cited this as a good example of International Style and my, my I never noticed how beautiful the YMCA is.


And talk about a gamut of Modernist buildings.  Take a look at downtown Tulsa up close.


More photographs of Tulsa's International Style architecture to follow.

[Steve]

Wonderful photos Hometown.  Your suggestions are great too.  I definately agree about the Libraray and sign; the intentions may have been good, but the new sign looks awful, IMO.

Come over to Lortondale some day soon and we can walk around and take photos to post on the recent Lortondale thread, so folks can see why I am so passionate about Lortondale!  You seem to be an excellent photographer.

[Hometown]

Thanks Steve.  Lortondale is my list.  

[NCTulsan]

Hometown, I could be wrong on this, but I "think" the covered seating which you said looks to be original was actually added years later (late 1970s?) when 5th/Denver evolved as the on-street hub for MTTA passenger services.

Great pics!