Boulder Modern House:
Mid-century architecture in Boulder County, Colorado
Base Line Junior High. Baseline at 20th Street
James Hunter, 1952
Great ribbon windows, this time with shades. Hunter learned his lesson regarding solar gain from the Small Building. Floor plan asymmetrical, based on activities within. The ceiling supports of the gym may be of historical interest. Recent additions are a bit out of scale and are more massive.
James Hunter, 1952
Great ribbon windows, this time with shades. Hunter learned his lesson regarding solar gain from the Small Building. Floor plan asymmetrical, based on activities within. The ceiling supports of the gym may be of historical interest. Recent additions are a bit out of scale and are more massive.
Here are some odds and ends around Boulder: for now, all commercial or institutional. Similarities include a restrained horizontality in general, balanced by just enough verticals. Lots of glass, with ribbon windows being popular for schools. Floor plans: open, often asymmetrical. Monumentality is kept in check, so these structures are humble compared to some big things built later. Overall some good examples of mid-century modern.
Some Buildings
The Colorado Building. 1419 14th St
James Hunter, 1955
Eight stories plus penthouse & helipad; nice international style with lots of glass & multicolored spandrels on east & west sides. The recently added awnings seem somewhat out of character; too much diagonal action in a building that is about the balance of horizontals and verticals.
It will probably remain the highest building downtown, since height limits have been enacted preventing new construction over 55 feet.
James Hunter, 1955
Eight stories plus penthouse & helipad; nice international style with lots of glass & multicolored spandrels on east & west sides. The recently added awnings seem somewhat out of character; too much diagonal action in a building that is about the balance of horizontals and verticals.
It will probably remain the highest building downtown, since height limits have been enacted preventing new construction over 55 feet.
The Annex (formerly Sigma Chi House). 1715 Aurora
James Hunter, 1950
I have seen no records confirming that Hunter did this, but a long-time neighbor said so. It looks like he could have done it. The section on the right with the big windows was the dining hall; it is just off the kitchen. The effect from the interior is just great. Look at that giant chimney stack; much larger than necessary, it is a design element. It reminds me of the superstructure of a WWII aircraft carrier such as Hornet or Enterprise. Come to think of it, remember that Hunter had served in the South Pacific. He did this on other buildings, such as the small building and the Public Service Co. building at Arapahoe and Broadway. That design element has a history, and I know only a little of it. Erich Mendelsohn's Universum Cinema in Berlin (late '20's) had one, but I think Frank Lloyd Wright used it earlier still. I'll check.
James Hunter, 1950
I have seen no records confirming that Hunter did this, but a long-time neighbor said so. It looks like he could have done it. The section on the right with the big windows was the dining hall; it is just off the kitchen. The effect from the interior is just great. Look at that giant chimney stack; much larger than necessary, it is a design element. It reminds me of the superstructure of a WWII aircraft carrier such as Hornet or Enterprise. Come to think of it, remember that Hunter had served in the South Pacific. He did this on other buildings, such as the small building and the Public Service Co. building at Arapahoe and Broadway. That design element has a history, and I know only a little of it. Erich Mendelsohn's Universum Cinema in Berlin (late '20's) had one, but I think Frank Lloyd Wright used it earlier still. I'll check.
Click on the images to enlarge them!
The gym: what a great timbered roof!
Nice factory sash in the dining room!
The Huntington Arms. 14th & Euclid
Glen Huntington, 1939
A delightful moderne apartment building with more factory sash than General Motors. Huntington designed many residences in various revival styles, as well as sorority houses, the Boulder County Courthouse, and the Bandshell. He was also involved in the design of Boulder High, and was resident architect at CU in the late '30s. The Huntington Arms is still in very good condition.
Glen Huntington, 1939
A delightful moderne apartment building with more factory sash than General Motors. Huntington designed many residences in various revival styles, as well as sorority houses, the Boulder County Courthouse, and the Bandshell. He was also involved in the design of Boulder High, and was resident architect at CU in the late '30s. The Huntington Arms is still in very good condition.
