Modern Tulsa

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Downtown Civic Center Plaza and found a quiet time to get some photos this past weekend. This is such a well designed facility in my opinion and it seems like such a shame to see it so underutilized. Many of these buildings are totally vacant since abandoned by the City of Tulsa.

Modern Tulsa is excited to announce our partnership this month with Philbrook’s 3rd Thursday speaker series.

The popular 3rd Thursday series begins January 21st 2010 with a bang. Eames Demetrios, grandson of legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames and current director of the Eames Office, will join us for a discussion on design vs. style. For this event, Mr. Demetrios will be sharing a few treasures from the family archive as well as signing books and posters.

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010
Times: 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Free with Museum Admission
Room: Patti Johnson Wilson Hall

The objects Charles and Ray Eames designed are legendary for their beauty and utility, but the ideas behind them are just as beautiful and useful. Eames Demetrios, author of An Eames Primer, director of the Eames Office and a member of the Eames family, will provide a personal look at the designers, their process, philosophy and influence on the design world.

Eames Demetrios is dedicated to communicating, preserving, and extending the work of Charles and Ray Eames. His projects include multimedia production, printed materials, toys, exhibition design, filmmaking and much more.

Schedule for the evening:

5:30 pm: Tickets available from the Admission desk. No advance reservations.
5:30-6:30 pm: Cash bar available and photographer on site for your chance to be a part of our new ad campaign.
6:30-7:30 pm: Lecture begins in Auditorium, Live simulcast near Restaurant.
7:30-8 pm: Free posters designed by Demetrios will be available for signing

Presented in partnership with Art Directors Club of Tulsa and in conjunction with Modern Tulsa, an organization of the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. Made possible through the generous support of Z-104.5 The Edge, Ervin Photography and Urban Tulsa Weekly.

Modern Tulsa is excited to announce its first ever mod of the moment, an effort by modern tulsa to showcase modern homes currently on the market. join us Sunday January, 17th from  4 – 6 pm for drinks, refreshments, music and modern design at a 1954 Cecil Stanfield designed mid-century modern home located at 3576 S. Winston Avenue on the corner of 36th street and South Winston.

This home has all of its original charm including floor to ceiling windows in the dining room, living room, master bedroom and guest bedroom along with modern updates. It has a very open and airy floor plan with vaulted ceilings and exposed brick inside. The large living area with wood burning fireplace is connected to the dining room and kitchen. There are 3 bedrooms total with the master having a private half bath. The main bathroom is good size and nice and bright with skylights in both baths. Newer, clean carpet, central air, high end fridge provided. The home is located in Mid-Town tulsa close to downtown and just down the street from shopping and eating.  sorry, furniture not included.

Modern Tulsa would like to thank  BCBC Modern for sponsoring “mod of the month”

The house is listed with Walter and Associates at $144,900. LISTING

see more photos here

News on 6 recently contacted me and asked to do an interview about moderntulsa. So, here I am!

Things are stirring for the first time in years over at 7th/Boston, downtown. This block, which houses two prime examples of mid-century modern architecture, may see a new era. With both the First National Auto Bank and the Smith Brothers Abstract buildings officially For Lease these buildings may still have a bright future.

Fairly major construction is happening at the Auto Bank in preparation for occupancy. This morning, two masons were chipping away at the concrete parking structure and told me they had been tasked with repairing all of the damage. We agreed this was no small task with years of neglect and poor patch jobs of the past. The structure seemed sound but there were a number of major holes that will need to be filled and everything resurfaced.

Also, there were other signs of work since last weekend -  when we tried to tour these building with the TulsaNow tour. Lighting fixtures cover the lobby floor and they have began repainting the staircase. It appeared they’d selected a red color, which I’m not so sure about, so hopefully they agree and go back to the white.

I had a chance to visit with the Real Estate Broker on the phone, who seemed very interested in finding sensible uses for these buildings as well. He indicated they were going to be removing the drive-through lanes of the bank to make the lower parking area more usable, while leaving the upper level parking structure intact.

He seemed open to splitting up the Tom-Tom room (upstairs of the bank) and the lobby portion, which may allow two different businesses occupy the space. He suggested a coffee shop or restaurant in the bank lobby.  He seemed very cordial and I hope to meet with him next time he is in town to see how we can assist in finding good uses for these great facilities. I hope to at the same time get some interior photos to share. I’ve been wanting to see inside of these places for years:)

So keep your eyes on these guys and feel free to share anything else you might know about the situation.

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