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Wright Studies
William L. Thaxton
Residence (1954 - S.384) |
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INTRODUCTION
FLOOR PLAN
PERSPECTIVE
1958
1991
2015 EXTERIOR
2015 INTERIOR |
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Introduction |
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On a trip to Austin in August for our niece's wedding, we
decided to take a side trip to Houston to visit the Thaxton
Residence, The home was for sale, and Perry, from Sotheby's
International Reality graciously gave us a tour of the gated
property.
In 1954,
William L. Thaxton, an insurance executive, commissioned
Frank Lloyd Wright to design the only home in Houston,
Texas. The 1,800 square foot house, originally estimated to
cost $25,000-35,000, ended up costing about $125,000 to
build. "You didn't work with Mr. Wright," said Mr. Thaxton,
"you presented Mr. Wright with a piece of property." The
outdoor swimming pool adjacent to the master bedroom was
originally designed to be partially inside the master
bedroom, but Thaxton dissuaded by him.
The Thaxtons sold the home in the late 1960s, and the
integrity of the Wright design was all but lost through a
succession of owners. The custom furniture Wright designed
to correspond with the homes' geometric shape, was torn out
long ago.
In 1983
Brian Nivins purchased the 1.2 acre property with the intent
of demolishing the home and building another, But after
finding a different piece of property to build on, he left
the house to sit unoccupied.
In 1991, after less than 40 years, and many additions that
obliterated Wright's design, the house was put on the market
again, and nearly demolished. The home was purchased by Drs.
Betty Lee and Allen F. Gaw, architecture enthusiasts who
restored the home to Wright's original plans and added a
large addition. “It was dilapidated and the beautiful
redwood paneling had been
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painted over with many coats of
paint,” said Dr. Gaw. (Houston House And Home, October
2014.)
Gaw went to
visit the Thaxtons in the 1990s. “Originally, Wright had not
planned on air conditioning the house, and when Thaxton
explained ‘this is Houston; this is swampland,’ Wright
relented but would not let his original design be altered,”
Gaw says. "Instead, all the AC ducts had to be inserted into
the foundation, and the cool air comes out of the floor.
Because of the change, the foundation was made about three
feet deep, with the side benefit that, after 60 years, the
foundation is still solid."
Thaxton also told Gaw that the motivation behind having
Wright design the house was that he hoped to develop a
subdivision. It was in a densely wooded area – the Memorial
area – then considered out in the sticks – and he believed
if a famous architect built a home there, others would
follow.
The couple
worked with Bob Inaba at Kirksey Architects to restore the
house and to build the substantial annex that wraps around
the back of the Wright house, touching it at either end but
otherwise stepping back from it, Fox says. (Houston
House And Home, October 2014.)
The original Usonian home was designed utilizing a 120/60
degree parallelogram and constructed of concrete block. The
concrete blocks step inward every two rows, as the walls
rise upward from the foundation. The red cement floors is
inscribed with the 120/60-degree diamond module, each side
of the diamond being 4 feet long.
August 26, 2015
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Thaxton Residence Floor Plan |
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Floor Plan courtesy of William Storrer, adapted by
Douglas M. Steiner. |
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William Thaxton Residence Perspective |
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William L.
Thaxton Residence Perspective. Courtesy of The Frank
Lloyd Wright Foundation. |
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Date:
1958
Title:
House & Home - August 1958 (Published monthly by Time Inc., New
York) (Note: Photograph on the cover is flipped horizontally.)
Author:
Anonymous; Wright, Frank
Lloyd
Description: "3 New Homes By Frank Lloyd Wright." 1:
Harper House, St. Joseph; 2: Thaxton House, Bunker Hill
(Houston); 3: Austin House, Greenvillle.
1 House in St.
Joseph, Michigan.
2 House in Houston, Texas. Test on page
106: This house is a
Frank Lloyd Wright solution for the large suburban lot. On the
problem of designing for a one or two acre site Mr. Wright says:
"We will have a good garden. The house is planned to wrap around
two sides of this garden. We must have as big a living room with
as much vista and garden coming in as we can afford, with a
fireplace in it, and open bookshelves, a dining table in the
alcove, benches, and living room tables built-in."
A large screened
porch virtually doubles the size of the living room, since it
can be used all year round in temperate Houston. There is no
roof over this porch – only screening. The Bedrooms turn off the
living room at a 30o angle to enclose the garden.
Street side of the house is almost entirely closed. See
Thaxton Residence Study.
3 House in
Greenville, South Carolina.
(Sweeney 1250)
Size:
9.25 x 12.5
Pages:
Pp Cover 101-113
S#:
1250.00.0517 |
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1) Thaxton Residence viewed from
the South. The Maid's room is on the left, the Carport and
Entrance left of center, the Living Room and Workspace
(Kitchen) on the right. The fascia and Carport wood screen
detailing appear to be diamond shaped. According to Storrer,
the detailing in the wood fascia alone contained more than
nine hundred pieces of trim. A light pole begins at the far
end of the wood screen, extends through the roof, and
continues skyward. Published on page 101, House & Home,
August 1958. Courtesy of House & Home. |
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2) Thaxton Residence viewed from
the North. The three Bedrooms are on the left, the Master
Bedroom in the foreground. The Screened Terrace and Living
Room is in the center, the Maid's room is on the right.
Published on the cover of House & Home, August 1958. Courtesy of House & Home. |
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| 3)
Thaxton Residence viewed from the Southwest. The three
Bedrooms are on the far left, the Screened Terrace and
Living Room is in the center, the Maid's room is on the
right. Caption: "Screened porch and the living room behind
it overlook the private rear garden. Swimming pool (far
left) is feature of the garden." Published on page 106,
House & Home, August 1958. Courtesy of House & Home. |
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| 4)
Thaxton Residence viewed from the Northeast. The Dining Room
is on the far left, the Living Room is in the center, the
Screened Terrace is on the right. Caption: "Screened porch
is an extension of the living room. The two areas open to
each other through glass doors. To give an uninterrupted
sense of the flow of space, Mr. Wright kept the floors on
the same level and used the same polished concrete, with low
thresholds under doors." Published on page 107, House &
Home, August 1958. Courtesy of House & Home. |
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| 5)
Thaxton Residence viewed from the East. Master Bedroom. Caption: "Bedroom
also opens to a view of the garden. All walls are of
standard 8"x8"x16" concrete block, set back 1/2" every
second course. The result is a slight batter to the walls,
and distinctive horizontal lines." Published on page 107, House &
Home, August 1958. Courtesy of House & Home. |
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| Thaxton
Residence 1991.
Caption on face of photograph: "Houston, April 22, 1991 - Wright - A battle
has ensued over a house designed in 1954 by Frank Lloyd Wright
which has been put up for sale in Houston. Several non-Wright
addictions, including iconic columns, have encouraged offers
from developers to tear down the house while Wright enthusiasts
want it renovated. F. Carter Smith / New York Times Photo.
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| Detail of the
Thaxton Residence 1991. |
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The basic designed for the Thaxton Residence utilizes a
120/60 degree parallelogram, a diamond shape, The red cement
floors and patio are inscribed with the same diamond module,
each side of is 4 feet long. The shape of the pool follows
the same angles. The open space between the Maid's room and
the Living Room has been enclosed with a doorway. Each had
it's own entrance, and what was stereotypically Wright,
hidden from view as you approached the house.
The only windows on the Southern wall of the Living room are
the 8" x 8" holes that run horizontally under the roof. The
windows and doors on the opposite side are floor to ceiling.
The built-in lighting is triangular in shape. In addition to
the missing wood details in the fascia, the original
vertical slats that enclose the Carport, held five short
horizontal pieces between each slat. Every other space was
consistent, creating a pattern that some-what reflected the
feel of the fascia. The chimney has been extended four
courses upward.
The
walls are constructed of standard concrete block. Corner
blocks had either a 60 or 120 degree angle. As the walls
rise from the ground, each two courses of block step inward.
The Living Room walls are topped by small 8" x 8" windows
and half-blocks that are turned 45 degrees, forming a
diamond. Those blocks
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are finished at the bottom with a
diamond shape. The mortar is raked on the horizontal joints,
while flush on the vertical joints, accenting the horizontal
lines.
The walls of
the Workspace and Maid's Bedroom are 20 courses, over 13
feet high. There are built-in planters and mitered glass
windows. The roof line over the Master Bedroom cantilevers
out to a point. The pool is built right next to the house,
the pool wall actually becoming part of the foundation. A
thin 16" floor to ceiling doorway leads directly from the
Master Bath to the pool. One step outward and William
Thaxton was in the pool. The Terrace originally was screened
in, as-well-as the trellis above, virtually doubling the
size of the Living Room.
The "U" shaped 1991 addition touches the home on either end.
Passage is gained through the Maid's Bedroom on one end, and
what was originally a bathroom on the other end. Above
the 16" doorway which leads to the original Maid's Room a
16" wide clerestory window aligns above.
Although changes were made to the original design, most of
the design details were retained, far better than the
alternative, demolition.
The following 36
exterior images were photographed on August 26, 2015.
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| 1) Thaxton
Residence viewed from the Southeast as you enter the
property from the street. The Entrance is on the left, the
Living Room is in the center, the Workspace is on the right.
20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-1) |
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| 2) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Southeast. The Entrance is on the left, the Living Room is
in the center, the Workspace is on the right. The upper roof
in the center background is from the separate addition. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-2) |
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3) Thaxton Residence viewed from the South. The Entrance is
on the left, the Living Room, which is nearly closed off to
the street view is in the center, the Workspace is on the
right. The roof fascia detail has been eliminated and
simplified. The fireplace chimney has also been extended
upward. (See 1958 image.) 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-3) |
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3B) Thaxton Residence 1958. The detailing on the wood fascia
and between the vertical slats of the Carport appear to be
diamond shaped. According to Storrer, the detailing in the
wood fascia alone contained more than nine hundred pieces of
trim. Published in, and courtesy of House & Home, August
1958. |
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| 4) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Southwest. The Entrance is in the foreground. 20 x 13.5 high
res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-4) |
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| 5) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Southwest. The 1991 addition can be seen on the left. The
Maid's Bedroom is in the center, the Carport is on the
right. The walls of the Bedroom are 20 courses, over 13 feet
high. Corner blocks had either a 60 or 120 degree angle. The
"U" shaped addition touches the home on either end. The
passage from original to addition is attained through the
original Maid's Bedroom. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-5) |
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6) Thaxton Residence viewed from the South. The 1991
addition can be seen on the far left. The Maid's Bedroom is
on the left, the Entrance is in the center, the Carport and
Living Room is to the right. Corner blocks had either a 60
or 120 degree angle. The "U" shaped addition touches the
home on either end. The passage from original to addition is
attained through the original Maid's Bedroom. 20 x 13.5 high
res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-6) |
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7) Thaxton Residence viewed from the South. The Entrance is
on the left, the Carport and Living Room is to the right.
This front door was originally an open space between the
Maid's Bedroom on the left and Living Room on the right.
Each had it's own entrance, and what was stereotypically
Wright, hidden from view as you approached the house. The
mortar is raked on the horizontal joints, while flush on the
vertical joints, accenting the horizontal lines. 20 x 13.5
high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-7) |
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| 8) Thaxton Residence. This front door
was originally an open space between the Maid's Bedroom on
the left and Living Room on the right. Each had it's own
entrance, and what was stereotypically Wright, hidden from
view as you approached the house. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-8) |
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| 9) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
South. The Entrance is on the left, Living Room in the
center, the Workspace is on the right. The only windows on
the Southern wall of the Living room are the 8" x 8" holes
that run horizontally under the roof. The windows and doors
on the opposite side are floor to ceiling. The built-in
lighting is triangular in shape. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-9) |
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10) Thaxton Residence. My brother-in-law enjoyed
contemplating the genius of Wright. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-10) |
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| 11) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
South. In addition to the missing wood details in the
fascia, the original vertical slats that enclose the Carport
on the left, originally held five short horizontal pieces
between each slat. Every other space was consistent,
creating a pattern that some-what reflected the feel of the
fascia. The chimney has also been extended upward four
courses upward. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-11) |
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| 12) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
South. The Carport is on the far left, the Living Room is in
the center, the Workspace (kitchen) is on the far right. 20
x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-12) |
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| 13) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
South. The Living Room is on the far left, the Workspace
(kitchen) is on the right. The walls are constructed of
standard concrete block. As the walls rise from the ground,
each two courses of block step inward. They are topped by
small 8" x 8" windows and half-blocks that are turned 45
degrees, forming a diamond. Those blocks are finished at the
bottom with a diamond shape. The mortar is raked on the
horizontal joints, while flush on the vertical joints,
accenting the horizontal lines. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-13) |
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| 13B) Detail of the block wall. The walls
are constructed of standard concrete block. As the walls
rise from the ground, each two courses of block step inward.
They are topped by small 8" x 8" windows and half-blocks
that are turned 45 degrees, forming a diamond. Those blocks
are finished at the bottom with a diamond shape. |
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14) Thaxton Residence viewed from the South. The exterior of
the Workspace (kitchen). The walls of the Workspace, like
the Maid's Bedroom are 20 courses, over 13 feet high. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-14) |
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| 15) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
East. The exterior of the Workspace (kitchen). 20 x 13.5
high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-15) |
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| 16) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. We continue counter-clockwise around the house. The
1991 addition can be seen on the left. The Bedroom's are on
the right. The passage from original to addition is attained
through the original Bath that was removed. The Workspace
can be seen in the background. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-16) |
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| 17) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. We continue counter-clockwise around the house. The
1991 addition can be seen on the left. The Bedroom's are on
the right. The passage from original to addition is attained
through the original Bath that was removed. The Workspace
can be seen in the background. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-17) |
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| 18) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. The Master Bedroom is on the left, the 1991 addition
in the background to the right. A built-in planter is in the
center foreground. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-18) |
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| 19) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. The two corner windows of the Master Bedroom are
mitered glass. A built-in planter is in the foreground. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-19) |
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| 20) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. The 1991 addition is in the background on the
left. the horizontal row of bedroom windows open outward.
The corner window of the Master Bedroom is mitered glass,
essentially removing from view the corner from the inside. A
built-in planter is in the foreground. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-20) |
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| 21) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. The roof line over the Master Bedroom cantilevers
out to a point. A built-in planter is in the foreground.
Corner blocks had either a 60 or 120 degree angle. The pool
is built right next to the house, the pool wall actually
becoming part of the foundation. The thin 16" floor to
ceiling doorway to the right leads directly from the Master
Bath to the pool. One step outward and William Thaxton was
in the pool. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-21) |
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| 22) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. Of course you would want to shower off without
having to go back inside the house. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-22) |
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| 23) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. The Master Bedroom is on the left, the Living Room is
on the right. A built-in planter is in the foreground. The
pool is built right next to the house, the pool wall is part
of the foundation. The walls are constructed of standard
concrete block. As the walls rise from the ground, each two
courses of block step inward. The mortar is raked on the
horizontal joints, while flush on the vertical joints,
accenting the horizontal lines. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-23) |
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| 24) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. The Master Bedroom is on the left, the Living Room is
on the right. A built-in planter is in the foreground. The
pool is built right next to the house, the pool wall is part
of the foundation. The walls are constructed of standard
concrete block. As the walls rise from the ground, each two
courses of block step inward. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-24) |
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| 25) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. The was designed utilizing
a 120/60 degree parallelogram, a diamond shape, The red
cement floors and patio are inscribed with the 120/60-degree
diamond module, each side of the diamond being 4 feet long.
The shape of the pool follows the same angles. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-25) |
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| Thaxton Residence viewed from the North.
The three Bedrooms are on the left, the Master Bedroom in
the foreground. The Screened Terrace and Living Room is in
the center, the Maid's room is on the right. Published on
the cover of House & Home, August 1958. Courtesy of House &
Home. |
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| 26) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. The Master Bedroom and Bath
are on the left, the Living Room is on the right. The thin
16" floor to ceiling doorway leads directly from the Master
Bath to the pool. One step outward and William Thaxton was
in the pool. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-26) |
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| 27) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. The Living Room is towards the
left, the original Maid's Bedroom is toward the right, the
1991 addition is on the right. The doors and windows of the
Living Room run floor to ceiling, the doors open outward.
The walls of the Maid's Bedroom, like the Workspace are 20
courses, over 13 feet high. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-27) |
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| 28) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
West. The Master Bedroom is on the
left, the Living Room is on the right. The Terrace
originally was screened in, as-well-as the trellis above,
virtually doubling the size of the Living Room. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-28) |
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| Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Southwest. The three Bedrooms are on the far left, the
Screened Terrace and Living Room is in the center, the
Maid's room is on the right. Caption: "Screened porch and
the living room behind it overlook the private rear garden.
Swimming pool (far left) is feature of the garden."
Published on page 106, House & Home, August 1958. Courtesy
of House & Home. |
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| 29) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
North. The Living Room is on the left,
the 1991 addition is on the right. The "U" shaped addition
joins the home on either end of the original home. The
passage from original to addition is gained through the
original Maid's Bedroom. The walls of the Maid's Bedroom,
like the Workspace are 20 courses, over 13 feet high. 20
x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-29) |
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| 30) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. The Living Room is on the
left, the Maid's Room is in the center, the 1991 addition is
on the right. The "U" shaped addition joins the home on
either end of the original home. The passage from original
to addition is gained through the original Maid's Bedroom.
20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-30) |
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| 31) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
West. The Living Room is on the left,
the Maid's Room is in the center, the 1991 addition is on
the right. The walls of the Maid's Bedroom, like the
Workspace are 20 courses, over 13 feet high. Above the 16"
doorway which leads to the original Maid's Room a 16" wide
clerestory window aligns above. My sister-in-law is
enthralled with Wright's design. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.25.0815-31) |
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| 32) Thaxton Residence viewed from the
West. Detail of the Maid's clerestory
window. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.25.0815-32) |
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| 33) Thaxton Residence. Detail of the
trellis which were originally dotted with a row of diamonds.
(ST#2015.25.0815-33) |
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| 34) Thaxton Residence. Detail of the
trellis support. (ST#2015.25.0815-34) |
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| 35) Thaxton Residence. Detail of the
trellis support. (ST#2015.25.0815-35) |
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Text photographs copyright
Douglas M. Steiner, Copyright 2015. |
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When the Thaxton Residence was first constructed the main
house and the Maid's room were separate, but connected by
the roof and the wood screen. Redwood was liberally used
throughout the interior. Lighting inset into the ceiling was
triangular in shape using 60 degree angles. Wright dropped
ceiling above the entrance, so as you enter, the ceiling
height in the Living Room seems to expand. As the walls rise
from ground level, each two courses of block step inward.
Mortar is raked on the horizontal joints, while flush on the
vertical joints, accenting horizontal lines. Corner blocks
had either a 60 or 120 degree angle.
The Terrace was originally screened in at the trellis
supports, doubling the size of the Living Room. The red
cement floors is inscribed with the 120/60-degree diamond
module, each side of the diamond being 4 feet long. The
fireplace opening is 48" high by about 80" wide. Redwood was
used for the built-in seating, cabinetry, paneling and trim.
The concrete block walls in the Living Room are topped by
small 8" x 8" windows and half-blocks that are
turned 45 degrees, forming diamonds.
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The
dropped ceiling in the Entrance, continues around the wall
and ties into the built-in cabinetry. The dining room table
utilizes 60 and 120 degree angles.
The interior walls of the Workspace consist of 19 courses,
12 1/2 feet high, 20 courses on the exterior. Clerestory
windows and skylights lighten in the interior of the
Workspace. The Bath was removed to allow a passage from the
original Wright home to the 1991 addition. Not only was the
wall removed between the Bath and the first Bedroom, but the
Southwest hallway wall was also removed enlarging the rooms
square footage. The closet doors as-well-as the built-in
cabinets along the windows have been removed. The wall
between the second and third bedroom has been removed. The
built-in cabinetry that exists was in the middle Bedroom.
This thin 16" floor to ceiling exterior doorway in the
Master Bath leads directly to the pool. One step outward and
William Thaxton was in the pool.
The following 30
interior images were photographed on August 26, 2015.
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| 1) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the South. This entrance area was originally enclosed
on the left with the wood screen, but open on the right. The
front door was on the left side of the block wall. The
Living Room is to the right. Redwood was liberally used
throughout the interior. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-1) |
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| 2) Thaxton Residence interior. Inset
lighting are triangular in shape using 60 degree angles. 20
x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-2) |
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| 3) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Southwest. This entrance area was originally
enclosed on the left with the wood screen, but open on the
right. The front door was originally between the end of the
wood screen on the left and the center corner of the block
wall. Wright dropped ceiling above the entrance, so as you
enter through the dropped ceiling, the Living Room seems to
expand as you enter. The Living Room is straight ahead, the
Dining Room is in the background. Redwood was liberally used
throughout the interior. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-3) |
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4) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Southwest. The original front door was on the
concrete block wall corner in the foreground. The Living
Room is straight ahead, the Dining Room is in the
background. As the walls rise from ground level, each two
courses of block step inward. Mortar is raked on the
horizontal joints, while flush on the vertical joints,
accenting horizontal lines. Corner blocks had either a 60 or
120 degree angle. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-4)
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| 5) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the South. The Terrace on the left was originally
screened in at the trellis supports, doubling the size of
the Living Room.
The Dining Room and fireplace are to the right. 20 x 13.5
high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-5) |
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| 6) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Southwest. The Dining Room is on the left, the
fireplace is in the center, built-in seating to the right.
Redwood trim and paneling was used throughout the house. The
red cement floors is inscribed with the 120/60-degree
diamond module, each side of the diamond being 4 feet long.
20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-6) |
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| 7) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the West. The built-in dining room table is on the
left. The fireplace opening is 48" high by about 80" wide.
20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-7) |
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| 7B) Detail of the built-in dining room
table and stools. (ST#2015.26.0815-7B) |
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| 8) Thaxton Residence interior. The
built-in ties into the 120 degree corner.
(ST#2015.26.0815-8) |
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| 9) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the North. Redwood was used for the built-in seating,
cabinetry, paneling and trim. The concrete block walls in
the Living Room are topped by small 8" x 8" windows and
half-blocks that are turned 45 degrees, forming diamonds. 20
x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-9) |
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| Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northeast. The Dining Room is on the far left, the Living
Room is in the center, the Screened Terrace is on the right.
Caption: "Screened porch is an extension of the living room.
The two areas open to each other through glass doors. To
give an uninterrupted sense of the flow of space, Mr. Wright
kept the floors on the same level and used the same polished
concrete, with low thresholds under doors." Published on
page 107, House & Home, August 1958. Courtesy of House &
Home. |
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| 10) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northeast. The end of the built-in seating turns
120 degrees as it abuts to the built-in cabinetry. 20 x 13.5
high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-10) |
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| 11) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the North. The Entrance is to the right. The dropped
ceiling in the Entrance, continues around the wall and ties
into the built-in cabinetry. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-11) |
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| 12) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northeast. The Entrance is to the right. The
dropped ceiling in the Entrance, continues around the wall
and ties into the built-in cabinetry. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-12) |
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| 13) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northeast. Detail of the built-in cabinetry.
Redwood was used throughout the interior. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-13) |
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| 14) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the built-in dining room table and stools. 20 x 13.5 high
res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-14) |
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| 15) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the built-in dining room table and stools. The table
utilizes 60 and 120 degree angles. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-15) |
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| 16) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the built-in dining room table. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-16) |
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| 17) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the built-in dining room table. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-17) |
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| 18) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the built-in dining room table. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-18) |
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| 19) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the dining room stool. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-19) |
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| 20) Thaxton Residence interior Workspace
(Kitchen). The ceiling in the hall to the right, is dropped
down to the level of the Entrance, then opens up as you
enter the Workspace. The interior walls of the Workspace
consist of 19 courses, 12 1/2 feet high, 20 courses on the
exterior. Clerestory windows and skylights lighten in the
interior of the Workspace. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-20) |
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| 21) Thaxton Residence interior Workspace
(Kitchen). View of the upper portion of the Workspace. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-21) |
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| 22) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the West. We are in the first Bedroom, the Workspace is
to the right behind the wall. The Bath was removed to allow
a passage from the original Wright home to the 1991
addition. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-22) |
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| 23) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northeast. We are in the 1991 addition, the
workspace is in the center behind the wall, the Dining Room
can be seen down the hall. The blue picture is in the Dining
Room. The Bedrooms are to the right. 20 x 13.5 high res
digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-23) |
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| 24) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northeast. We are in the 1991 addition, the
workspace is in the center behind the wall, the Dining Room
can be seen at he end of the wall to the right. The door to
the far left was added, the open doorway leads to the
Workspace, and was an exterior door. The Bath was removed to
allow a passage from the original Wright home to the 1991
addition. The blue picture is in the Dining Room. The
Bedrooms are to the right. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color
photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-24) |
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| 25) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the East. Just as you enter the original Wright house
from the 1991 addition, as you look to the right you are
into the first Bedroom. The Dining and Living Rooms can bee
seen on the far left. Not only was the wall removed between
the Bath and this Bedroom (to the left), but the Southwest
hallway wall was also removed enlarging the rooms square
footage. The closet doors to the right as-well-as the
built-in cabinets along the windows on the far right have
been removed. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-25) |
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| 26) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northeast. Passing through the first Bedroom. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-26) |
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| 27) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northwest. The wall between the second and third
bedroom has been removed. The built-in cabinetry was in the
middle Bedroom. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-27) |
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| 28) Thaxton Residence interior viewed
from the Northwest. The wall between the second and third
bedroom has been removed. The built-in cabinetry on the left
was in the middle Bedroom. The Dining Room can be seen
through the doorway on the right. 20 x 13.5 high res digital
color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-28) |
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| Thaxton Residence viewed from the East.
Master Bedroom. Caption: "Bedroom also opens to a view of
the garden. All walls are of standard 8"x8"x16" concrete
block, set back 1/2" every second course. The result is a
slight batter to the walls, and distinctive horizontal
lines." Published on page 107, House & Home, August 1958.
Courtesy of House & Home. |
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| 29) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the Master Bath. This thin 16" floor
to ceiling doorway leads directly from the Master Bath to
the pool. One step outward and William Thaxton was in the
pool. 20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
(ST#2015.26.0815-29) |
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| 30) Thaxton Residence interior. View of
the Master Bath. This triangle
skylight allows daylight into the Master Bath. 20 x
13.5 high res digital color photograph. (ST#2015.26.0815-30) |
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Text photographs copyright
Douglas M. Steiner, Copyright 2015. |
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WILLIAM L. THAXTON RESIDENCE (1954 - S.384) |
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Date:
1978
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, Bunker Hill, TX., 1978 (1954 - S.384).
Description: Thaxton Residence viewed from the
Northwest. The pool is in the foreground. The house was designed
utilizing a 120/60 degree parallelogram, a diamond shape. The red
cement floors and patio are inscribed with the 120/60-degree diamond
module, each side of the diamond being 4 feet long. The shape of the
pool follows the same angles. The Thaxtons sold the home in the late
1960s. The house is still as Wright designed it, but the integrity
of the Wright design was all but lost through a succession of
owners. Clipping pasted to verso: "The only example of the work of
architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Houston is this concrete block and
redwood house at 12020 Tall Oaks, built 20 years ago for the William
L. Thaxtons. Photo by Sam C. Pierson, Jr., Chronicle Staff." Stamped
on clipping: "Wed May 3 1978." Stamped on verso: "Houston Chronicle
Library." Photographed by Sam C. Pierson, Jr.. Acquired from the
Houston Chronicle archives.
Size:
Original 10 x 7.25 B&W photograph.
ST#:
1978.59.0321 |
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Date:
1991
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, Bunker Hill,
TX., 1991 (1954 - S.384).
Description:
Contact sheet of the exterior of the
Thaxton Residence before it was restored in the mid 1990s.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1954. The Thaxtons sold the
home in the late 1960s, and the integrity of the Wright design
was all but lost through a succession of owners. The custom
furniture Wright designed to correspond with the homes'
geometric shape, was also removed over time. Text hand written
on verso: "Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect. 12,020 Tall Oaks Rd.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed home. 4-11 Houston." Label pasted to
verso: "Houston Chronicle Library. Thu Apr 11 1991." Stamped on
verso: "Apr 10 ‘91." Acquired from the Houston Chronicle
archives.
Size:
Original 8 x 10 color contact sheet with
31 partial and complete images.
ST#:
1991.95.1120 |
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Left:
1) Frame 3.
Right: 2) Frame 6. |
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Left:
3) Frame 5.
Right: 4) Frame11. |
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Left:
5) Frame 13.
Right: 6) Frame18. |
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Left:
7) Frame 13.
Right: 8) Frame 9. |
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Left:
9) Frame 19.
Right: 10) Frame 22. |
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Date:
1991
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, Bunker Hill, TX., Living Room 1991
(1954 - S.384).
Description: View of the Living Room from the
East. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1954. The Thaxtons sold the
home in the late 1960s, and the integrity of the Wright design was
all but lost through a succession of owners. The custom furniture
Wright designed to correspond with the homes' geometric shape, was
also removed over time. Note, the original wall on the left side of
the living room has been removed, as have the doors on the right
side of the living room. Text hand written on verso: "Frank Lloyd
Wright, Architect." "Donna Carson/Photo." Clipping pasted to verso:
"The interior of the only building in Houston designed by famed
architect Frank Lloyd Wright shows some of the angular oddities for
which Wright was known. The house is for sale and may be
demolished." Stamped on clipping: "Thu Apr 11 1991." Label pasted to
verso: "Houston Chronicle Library." Photographed by Donna Carson.
Acquired from the Houston Chronicle archives.
Size:
Original 8 x 10 B&W photograph.
ST#:
1991.97.0121 |
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Date: 1991
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence (1954 - S.384) Bunker Hill, TX.
Description:
Caption on face: "Houston, April 22, 1991 - Wright - A battle
has ensued over a house designed in 1954 by Frank Lloyd Wright
which has been put up for sale in Houston. Several non-Wright
addictions, including iconic columns, have encouraged offers
from developers to tear down the house while Wright enthusiasts
want it renovated. F. Carter Smith / New York Times Photo.
Size:
Original 10 x 8 B&W photograph.
ST#: 1991.64.0212 |
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Date:
1991
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, Bunker Hill, TX. 1991 (1954 - S.384).
Description: View of the entrance to the Thaxton
Residence before restoration. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in
1954. Stamped on verso: "Houston Chronicle. Apr 10 ‘91. Hand written
on verso: "Frank Lloyd Wright - architect. Frank Lloyd Wright home,
12020 Tall Oaks Dr. Front exterior." In 1954, William L. Thaxton, an
insurance executive, commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the
only home in Houston, Texas. The 1,800 square foot house, originally
estimated to cost $25,000-35,000, ended up costing about $125,000 to
build. "You didn't work with Mr. Wright," said Mr. Thaxton, "you
presented Mr. Wright with a piece of property." By 1991, after less
than 40 years, and many additions that obliterated Wright's design,
the house was put on the market again, and nearly demolished. It has
been fully restored. Acquired from the archives of the Houston
Chronicle.
Size:
Original 10 x 8 B&W photograph.
ST#:
1991.98.0221 |
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Date:
1991
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, Bunker Hill, TX. 1991 (1954 - S.384).
Description: View of the Thaxton Residence from
the North. The pool is in the foreground. Designed by Frank Lloyd
Wright in 1954. In 1954, William L. Thaxton, an insurance executive,
commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the only home in Houston,
Texas. The 1,800 square foot house, originally estimated to cost
$25,000-35,000, ended up costing about $125,000 to build. "You
didn't work with Mr. Wright," said Mr. Thaxton, "you presented Mr.
Wright with a piece of property." By 1991, after less than 40 years,
and many additions that obliterated Wright's design, the house was
put on the market again, and nearly demolished. It has now been
fully restored. Stamped on verso: "Houston Chronicle. Apr 10 ‘91.
Stamped on verso: "Howard Castleberry /photo. 12020 Tall Oaks Rd.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed home." Clipping pasted to verso:
"Architectural experts believe enough of Frank Lloyd Wright's touch
remains in this Bunker Hill Village home that it should be
preserved." Stamped on clipping: "Thur Apr 11 1991." Photographed by
Howard Castleberry. Acquired from the archives of the Houston
Chronicle.
Size:
Original 10 x 8 B&W photograph.
ST#:
1991.99.0321 |
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Date:
2015
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, 2015 (1954 -
S.384) Bunker Hill, TX.
Description: Set of 36
exterior images of the Thaxton Residence photographed on August 26,
2015. The basic designed for the Thaxton Residence utilizes a 120/60
degree parallelogram, a diamond shape, The red cement floors and
patio are inscribed with the same diamond module, each side of is 4
feet long. The shape of the pool follows the same angles. The open
space between the Maid's room and the Living Room has been enclosed
with a doorway. Each had it's own entrance, and what was
stereotypically Wright, hidden from view as you approached the
house. The only windows on the Southern wall of the Living room are
the 8" x 8" holes that run horizontally under the roof. The windows
and doors on the opposite side are...
Continue...
Size:
20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
ST#:
2015.25.0617 (1-36) |
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(See additional images.) |
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Date: 2015
Title:
William L. Thaxton Residence, 2015 (1954 - S.384)
Bunker Hill, TX.
Description:
Set of 30 interior images of the Thaxton Residence
photographed on August 26, 2015. When the Thaxton Residence was
first constructed the main house and the Maid's room were separate,
but connected by the roof and the wood screen. Redwood was liberally
used throughout the interior. Lighting inset into the ceiling was
triangular in shape using 60 degree angles. Wright dropped ceiling
above the entrance, so as you enter, the ceiling height in the
Living Room seems to expand. As the walls rise from ground level,
each two courses of block step inward. Mortar is raked on the
horizontal joints, while flush on the vertical joints, accenting
horizontal lines. Corner blocks had either a 60 or 120 degree angle...
Continue...
Size:
20 x 13.5 high res digital color photograph.
ST#:
2015.26.0617 (1-30) |
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(See additional images.) |
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