Expressionist...
Boulder Usonia
One of the best Usonian-style houses in Boulder, the Menkick House from 1970 by
Charles Haertling. Behind it is Green Rock.
November 4th, 2011 / 2 Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Folded-Plate
The distinctive folded-plate roof used for the Johnson-McFarlane Residence Halls
designed 1958 by Edwin Francis for D.U.
November 3rd, 2011 / No Comments » / 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
Quaker Meeting House
The Quaker Meeting House, a 1961 design in North Boulder by Charles Haertling.
June 9th, 2011 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Lakewood mountain homes
And for Friday, some beautiful Rustic Modern* homes in Lakewood, overlooking Denver.
The home above is from 1987 and makes use of Brutalist poured-in-place textured concrete.
This next one from 1973 is classic mountain Rustic Modernism.
The view of Denver from these homes.
And finally, another attempt at photographing the elusive Expressionist Fredrick House,
designed by Boulder architect Charles Haertling in 1964.
* Rustic Modern term coined by Diane Wray and Michael Paglia, authors of the outstanding guidebook The Mid-Century Modern House in Denver.
April 8th, 2011 / 3 Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Boulder Eye Clinic
The Boulder Eye Clinic, designed 1969 by Charles Haertling.
The four windows originally had protruding bays with eye charts at the ends.
Now home to Boulder’s What Are Records?
(see comments)
March 24th, 2011 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
Sculptured House of Genesee
A beautiful rendering of the Sculptured House of Genesee, or the “Flying Saucer House”
as it is referred to by passerby on I-70.
Designed 1963 by Charles Deaton, it was the focal point of Woody Allen’s futurist comedy Sleeper from 1973. It was never quite finished until Denver’s John Huggins completed it and added the Deaton-designed addition in 2003.
October 11th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
Loveland Musuem Gallery
Loveland Museum Gallery, built 1970 with floating roof and hanging globe lamps.
September 12th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Brenton House
One last example of treasured architecture in the Boulder mountains, the Brenton House,
designed 1969 by Charles Haertling.
September 10th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Denver Firestation #12
Many old Denver-area firestations are being replaced these days, and sometimes the
modernist designs are underappreciated.
Denver Firestation #12 on Federal was designed 1967 by Austin Siegfried and is
one of the most unique local modernist firestation designs.
I don’t really know if it is considered more Expressionist or Formalist. What do you think?
I’d like to hear.
July 20th, 2010 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Brenton House
Streetside view of the 1969 mushroom-shaped Brenton House by Charles Haertling,
also in the mountains of Boulder.
June 29th, 2010 / No 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
Rustic mod
This rustic modern home in Boulder was built in 1966.
I believe this home is part of the Expressionist movement in architecture.
May 7th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Cherry Hills
This striking home in Cherry Hills was designed by Charles Haertling and
Tician Papachristou in 1960.
The style is considered part of the Expressionist movement in architecture.
May 4th, 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
Hilltop house
Unusual Expressionist house in the Hilltop area, designed 1964
November 19th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
Varner House
This unusual Post-Modern design from 1969 by James Ream is located in Greenwood Village.
The idea was to “blend the concept of a seashell and that of a scotch tape dispenser”. This home was featured in the Woody Allen film “Sleeper“.
November 18th, 2009 / 1 Comment » / by Tom Lundin
Key Savings and Loan
Key Savings and Loan Bank, organic design by Charles Deaton 1965-67.
Located on S. Broadway in Englewood.
Deaton also the designed the famous Sculptured House of Gennessee, which has many similar features and details.
November 15th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Tom Lundin
