Beautiful landmark Art Deco Glen Huntington Bandshell in Central Park, Boulder, Co from 1938
Often casually overlooked, this is a stunning compound arch design, which Huntington modeled after the Hollywood Bowl
Huntington worked in a variety of styles, building many houses in Boulder and Denver, including two great Denver Prarie-Style homes, along with the Art Deco Boulder Courthouse
Many musical acts have played here, including Tommy Bolin, Colorado’s equivalant of Jimi Hendrix
Hiding in plain sight on a hillside in Boulder, Colorado . . .
The Moment House, designed by Charles Haertling, 1966.
Another one of the rare historical examples of International Style in Boulder, an office building from the 1960s designed by Roger Easton.
Much of the new construction going on in Boulder these days seems to wish that they could recreate this style of architecture.
One element they seem to be missing in the current designs is a sense of scale. All the new construction seems so oversized.
Also, much of what they are doing these days is cosmetic. There is a barber shop in Boulder currently adding a tower similar to this one below, only without windows or any reason to exist that I can see.
Nation Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, 1966 by renowned architect I.M. Pei.
Pei referred to this commission as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
Beautifully located on a mesa near the Flatirons of Boulder.
Pei wanted to create a structure that would harmonize with the mountain backdrop, yet not be dominated by the surroundings.
Master architect Pei has designed many important structures all over the world including the famous National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.
Pei also designed the Louvre Pyramid (of recent Da Vinci Code fame) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, both glass pyramids
Three important I.M. Pei Denver commissions were the Mile High Tower, The Zeckendorf Plaza and the 16th Street Mall.
Both Mile High Tower (1956) and Zeckendorf Plaza (1960) have only partially survived, which is truly surprising considering Pei’s importance in the world of architecture.
N.C.A.R. designed by I.M. Pei. Built throughout the mid-1960s, it was completed in 1966.
The design was partly influenced by the spectacular Mesa Verde cliff dwellings in southwest Colorado.
(Enjoy the view from this unusual cut in a stairwell.)
Woody Allen chose N.C.A.R. as one of 5 outstanding examples of Colorado modern architecture to represent the future in his 1973 film, Sleeper. I will feature the other 4 locations in future MMM posts.
Aggregrate for the cement was partially derived from the soil on the site, giving the structure a color that is natural to the location.
Joslin’s, 1955 design by James Hunter. Now called the Colorado Building.
One of few historical examples of International Style architecture in the Boulder area, the building’s status has always been controversial and is probably not helped by unnecessary signs and awnings applied to the exterior.
My wife, mod real estate specialist Shannon Stanbro pointed out that this building is featured on the interesting site dedicated to modern Boulder architecture by Jim Broaddus.
Boulder Courthouse, 1932 design by Glen Huntington. Huntington also designed the Lion’s Club Fountain, which has been meticulously restored.
This Art Deco design was built after the previous Boulder courthouse
burned down the year before. It is an example of Art Deco without
much actual applied decoration.
The stepped design of the exterior walls is echoed in the
window design of the front entranceway.
Glen Huntington did many designs for Boulder and Denver,
including these two Denver Prarie-style homes.
The breathtaking Menkick House by one of the regions most outstanding modern architects, Charles Haertling, 1970
Sadly, he passed away in 1984, but he left a legacy of unique modernist works in a remarkable variety of styles
To find interesting historical modern Boulder properties, see the Boulder website of real estate agent Shannon Stanbro. She is the only exclusive buyer’s agent focusing on modern architecture in the front range Colorado area.
First Christian Church, dated 1960, designed by Thomas Nixon & Lincoln Jones. The location of this church marks your entry into Boulder, CO from the turnpike, but only for the time being. It is slated for destruction!
The brickwork and design remind me of this Boulder apartment building:
