Churches...
Boulder icon
I am happy to note that this iconic Usonian building, the First Christian Church, located
where the 36 Hwy becomes 28th St at the entranceway to Boulder, is still standing despite
having been for sale for years now. There was concern that it would be torn down and
replaced with student housing.
Designed 1960 by architects Thomas Nixon & Lincoln Jones.
With it’s prominent Boulder location, it is nice way for residents to regularly view a historic
example of the direct influence of Frank Lloyd Wright.
October 27th, 2011 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
The Modern Architecture of Sleeper
Charles Deaton’s Sculptered House of Genesee
Woody Allen chose Colorado in 1973 to film his famous science-fiction comedy, Sleeper,
because of the abundance of futuristic modern architecture along the front range to
feature as backdrops in his film. Here is a rundown of locations in order of appearance
in the movie.
This house at the beginning of the film is actually the back of the Church of the Risen Christ, designed 1969 by James Sudler.
Next, this shot is the Boettcher Memorial Conservatory designed 1966 by Victor
Hornbein and Ed White, Jr. at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The movie has a little
model futuristic car riding on a track in front.
Some locations I could not identify such as this interesting interior above. I am hoping
readers can write in and enlighten us.
These underground parking shots are another unknown. One reader suggests these are
from Cinderella City, but I can’t find shots of this to verify. Anyone?
The amazing Sculptured House of Genesee, built by Charles Deaton in 1966 and not
actually lived in until John Huggins completed it after purchasing the home in 1999.
After watching the film, it is clear that the circular elevator is not used as the famous,
ahem, Orgasmatron in the film as rumored, it is really just a cheap small prop.
This odd, yet beautiful building is the Varner House, designed 1969 by James Ream.
Another interesting concrete shell structure, I am hoping someone can write in and tell
me where it is.
Next we are off to Boulder to see Charles Haertling’s impressive Brenton House,
a 1969 design that resembles barnacles or possibly mushrooms.
More shot’s of Deaton’s Sculptured House. Charles Deaton also designed this similar
bank on South Broadway.
No visit to Boulder is complete without a visit to the I. M. Pei masterpiece, the National
Center for Atmospheric Research, N.C.A.R. (more shots of this coming up)
Of the locations in the film that I could not identify, this is the one I would really like to
track down. Anyone? I am guessing it is a church. Note: Reader Eric identified this as
Culver City High School in California. It is still there!
This is the Mile Hi Church in Lakewood with a McDonalds sign over the eye. It is now
accompanied by two other larger structures, the newest one is an enormous concrete shell.
N.C.A.R. in Boulder, one of the most beautifully sited structures ever. Of all the I. M. Pei
projects in Colorado, this is the one that has remained the most-intact. Planning started
in 1961, the building was completed in 1967.
And, finally, the late, great Currigan Exhibition Hall, designed by Jim Ream in 1969
for William Muchow Associates. It was built with the world’s largest use of the space
frame. It was torn down in 2002 to make room for the expansion of the Denver
Convention Center.
(Brutalist structures are the most under-appreciated, most misunderstood and most
endangered modern architecture.)
June 24th, 2011 / 7 Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Johnson’s Corner
World-famous Johnson’s Corner truckstop on I-25, originally built 1952 long before I-25,
when the route alongside was still Highway 87. (Click on the photo to enlarge).
While most well-known for their cinnamon rolls, my favorite feature is out back, the little
Johnson’s Corner Chapel:
Johnson’s Corner can also be seen in Bill Murray’s 1995 film Larger Than Life.
September 15th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Usonian church
St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church on Green Mountain in Lakewood.
It is an octagonal church designed in the Usonian-style in 1964.
September 7th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
First Christian Church
As of 2010, this iconic example of Boulder’s original modernist architecture is still standing!
The Usonian First Christian Church on 28th in Boulder was designed 1960 by Thomas
Nixon & Lincoln Jones.
August 31st, 2010 / 3 Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Park Hill Church
Entranceway to Park Hill Church, designed in the early 1950s by Eugene Sternberg
July 6th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
Charles Haertling church addition
Charles Haertling designed this Capitol Hill Usonian church addition in 1961. One of
our favorites at The Denver Eye!
It was intended to be the beginning of a much larger project, but I assume was considered
too extreme at the time.
June 24th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Wheatridge United Methodist Church
Wheatridge United Methodist Church, a grand 1968 modernist design in Wheatridge.
June 23rd, 2010 / 4 Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Mile Hi Church
Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, designed 1973 by the church of Dr. Fred Vogt.
This unique building played a McDonalds-of-the-future in Woody Allen’s Sleeper.
May 13th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Church of the Risen Christ
The Church of the Risen Christ on Monaco, designed 1969 by James Sudler.
Sudler teamed with Italian architect Gio Ponti to design the Denver Art Museum.
April 19th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
Calvary Temple
The highly photogenic Calvary Temple on University Blvd.
A remarkable Usonian building designed by Ralph Peterson in 1958.
Usonian architecture is the style Frank Lloyd Wright popularized in the 1930s-50s. This church may be the largest example of Usonian architecture in the state.
The roof of this smaller companion building on the same site is one of Denver’s few remaining examples of the use of the hyperbolic parabaloid.
April 15th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Usonian church – Calvary Temple
Calvary Temple, a grand Usonian-style church on University Blvd. Designed 1958
(or possibly as early as 1954), by Ralph Peterson.
April 14th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Paul Schutt
Our Savior Parish Center
Usonian addition to Our Savior Parish Center on Capitol Hill.
Designed by Charles Haertling in 1961.
February 12th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Charles Haertling church design
The St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Northglenn, designed 1964 by Charles Haertling.
December 15th, 2009 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
Leaded glass
Once in again in Boulder… the leaded glass in the windows of the First Christian Church on the turnpike.
The Usonian church was designed in 1960 by Thomas Nixon and Lincoln Jones and is currently in danger of being scraped.
December 10th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Temple Emanuel
The beautiful Usonian-styled synagogue in the Hilltop area.
Designed 1953 by Percival Goodman.
October 22nd, 2009 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
