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News & ArtsWednesday, April 7, 2010
Visual Art / Architecture / Retail Salvage from Paul Thiry's Historic House Going on Sale
Posted by Jen Graves on Wed, Apr 7, 2010 at 4:23 PM
Get down to Second Use this weekend—according to the store's blog, materials have just today started trickling in to the store today from the Paul Thiry house in Normandy Park that's scheduled for demolition. So sad.
Thiry designed the original Frye Art Msueum, and was the 1962 World's Fair architect. This concrete house is from that year. Check it out.
1
It's shocking that they're allowing it to be torn down. They tried to move it, but it's pretty much impossible because of the big concrete cantilevers. I assume the owners will proceed to construct a huge "Tuscan villa" complete with Italian cypresses, that can be seen from space.
2
Wow. I love that house. What a shame it's being demolished. I actually teared up a little watching the video.
3
the huge tuscan abortion is the house to the left (if you watch the video, you can see it)
the owners are taking it out for a better view and tennis court, i think.
and of course the former republican senate candidate (a supposed champion of keeping neighborhood character intact) doesn't want her name out there - no one will invite them to food or art functions. friggin hypocrites.
the owners are taking it out for a better view and tennis court, i think.
and of course the former republican senate candidate (a supposed champion of keeping neighborhood character intact) doesn't want her name out there - no one will invite them to food or art functions. friggin hypocrites.
6
You know how rich people used to have taste, and supported the arts, including architecture? You used to get guys like Paul Thiry designing high-end modernist houses with a true Northwest Style that their owners would fill with paintings by Morris Graves and Mark Tobey. Now you get butt-ugly McMansions filled with Chihuly. Fuck.
7
This is 18175 Normandy Terrace SW, Normandy Park, WA. Belongs to William W. Steele and Karen R. Steele. Karen Steele's the one who ran for state senate in the 33rd as a Republican. Rot in hell, bitches.
8
I suspect the Teak built-ins are from trees that were once HUGE monster trees taken from the forest with no thought of sustainability. Just an observation of the 1960s. Yes it's a crime this house is being torn down. It's sort of like "The Red Guard" just a very very slow Red Guard destroying the past for a perceived better future.
9
Wow. It's a beautiful house--and it *is* sad.
(It's a rare thing when architecture made of concrete arouses perceptions of beauty in me.)
I do agree that it's also sad that the Teaks were destroyed to make add-ons for the house. I would actually like to know more about that--a little investigative or archival reporting, anyone? *cough*Stranger*cough* I wonder if the original architect even did that. We should do more to save big trees.
(It's a rare thing when architecture made of concrete arouses perceptions of beauty in me.)
I do agree that it's also sad that the Teaks were destroyed to make add-ons for the house. I would actually like to know more about that--a little investigative or archival reporting, anyone? *cough*Stranger*cough* I wonder if the original architect even did that. We should do more to save big trees.
10
it's ugly as crap. it looks like a prototype for all the ugly multifmaily in Ballard...the airy garage space and the floating bloc of concrete....my look how warm and inviting those deep dark bays look...like moms said, "Early Motel."
13
It's Modern and also an excellent example of Brutalism - which gained a lot of traction in the PNW in the 60s. Sad to see it go. Makes me want to go hug every building on the main campus at Evergreen.
14
It's a beautiful place, no doubt. Could have been the background for Shag's paintings, or some Playboy shoots. 1962 FOREVER!! (I was 12, LOL.)
15
It breaks my heart that this house has to go. I work in a office complex built in the 1960s in Glenview, Illinois, and the longer I've been here, the more I love it. It's got fantastic, mostly glass walkways between buildings that give you wonderful views of arching concrete columns that support the overhanging roof. I occasionally mention to my coworkers how beautiful the building is, and most of them think I'm crazy. Newark airport is also an great example of the style. It's a joy just to walk around there, as with the Seattle Center as was mentioned above. Regarding the house in the video, just image it with the incredible furniture and artwork of the time.
16
While it's not exactly my cup of tea (I can't get past the concrete), I do think it's a real shame to see it go. And I agree the house next door would be a much better candidate for demolition. Fake Italian is the absolutely lowest of the low. It's what's ruined Hillcrest Avenue and Orleans Street in West Seattle.
17
Having seen many such grand houses torn down for the sake of "keeping up with the neighbor's out of place Tuscan monstrosity" it breaks my heart and instills a fanatical desire for stringent and all encompassing preservation laws for the region. Nothing quite like tearing down your own history. Who needs heritage and a sense of community, place and belonging when it comes to your structures and homes? This kind of brilliance in design is a rare thing, getting rarer by the decade and most likely couldn't be done today with codes and zoning laws. Don't even get me started at the loss of embodied energy and wasted resources this loss represents. Some condolence that a little of it gets to be saved, but at least it is something. Thank you to those involved for your efforts to save it intact.
One of the salvage jihad
One of the salvage jihad
18
I remember driving with my parents to see this home back in the 60's. It was so different from the post-war decade asbestos sided home we lived in at the time. It was truly inspiring.
Stupid nitwits! It's concrete and its cool and it beats the hell out of the crappy McMansions made of plasticized wood fiber.
Stupid nitwits! It's concrete and its cool and it beats the hell out of the crappy McMansions made of plasticized wood fiber.
19
@1: I read a Seattle Times piece that seemed to imply it *could* be done, for about a quarter of a million dollars by barge, but nobody came forward with the right proposal. Other problems included cost of land for relocation, and *finding* the right place.
I still can't see why they want to demolish it though. I'd be thrilled to have a house like that on my gigantic property. Couldn't they use it as a summer/beach home or massive studio? Guest house? Come on.
I still can't see why they want to demolish it though. I'd be thrilled to have a house like that on my gigantic property. Couldn't they use it as a summer/beach home or massive studio? Guest house? Come on.
20
There is another WATERFRONT Paul Thiry house available in North Beach that doesn't have to be moved! Of course, it's more than $1, but under a million which is a great price for the neighborhood and its waterfront location. Totally isolated from neighbors which is rare for Seattle waterfront. Check it out at www.johnlscott.com/78406 or call/text me for a private showing. Cori Whitaker 206-795-4361or email coriwh@johnlscott.com. 3 bedrooms plus a detached studio apartment. Sweeping Sound and mountain views from EVERY public room and EVERY bedroom.
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