Thursday, October 9, 2008

A quick roadtrip to Wichita.

I had the chance to take a quick trip down to Wichita, Kansas this past weekend. While I was there I cruised around some MCM neighborhoods. There are some really great MCM homes around the Wichita State University campus and many of them are in great shape. Here are a few pics from my trip. Jerad

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Modern Photo of the Week - Morley Residence

Name: Morley Residence
Architect: John "Jack" Morley (for his own family)
Year Designed: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
Year Built: Circa Early 1950s
Location: 6735 Belinder Mission Hills, Kansas
Type: Residential
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Status: DEMOLISHED 12-07 to make way for another McMansion
Photographer: Unknown (Photo From Family)

A mid-century modern passive solar, post and beam design with south facing windows, clerestories and wide overhangs. It had mostly wood interior with some interior stone walls used for thermal mass. The exterior was predominantly stone and wood.

For a photo taken shortly before the house was demolished go here.

Monday, October 6, 2008

KCMODERN's Charles Phoenix Show a Huge Success







KCMODERN's "The United States of Charles Phoenix" show was huge success by all accounts. Over 200 people crowded beneath the wing of the Lockheed Constellation to enjoy CharlesPhoenix's retro vacation slide show. We made a lot of new Modern friends that evening because well over half the crowd was made up of people who had never been to a KCMODERN event before. Charles putting his spin on local Kansas City Landmarks like the White Haven Motor Lodge, Town Topic, Fritz's, Villa Capri and Johnny's Space Age Doughnuts was a first, one of a kind show for him and it was my favorite part of the show.The TWA Clipped Wings Stewardess fashion show was great to see. Can you believe some of the women can still wear their original uniforms from the '60s?

At intermission some people chose to tour the interior of the Lockheed Constellation and everyone enjoyed hand-crafted root beer supplied by 75th Street Brewery and three kinds of popcorn from Velvet Creme Popcorn. KCMODERN was proud to offer these local treats.When Charles went into his vintage retro vacation slideshow the audience was mesmerized by his delightful commentary and unusual, sometimes campy slides. It really was “the classic living room slide show supercharged.” I, for one, hope that we can bring him back next year to perform another show, The Charles Phoenix Christmas Jubilee!

A special thanks go out to our event sponsors, Bob Myers Properties, Bob Greenspan Photography, Retro Inferno and Michael Q. Gratz of Pulaski Bank. And thanks to all of you who attended!