This Bud Oglesby Modernist on Inwood Road is an architectural anomaly, and that’s a very good thing.
Dallas built its reputation on bigger and better, fancier, and flashier. A majority of our architecture reflects that. When Oglesby came along, his modernist aesthetic caught the old guard off guard.
However, Oglesby found his niche and was prolific, designing everything from townhomes to those bigger and better Texas-sized spreads for a discerning clientele. Indeed, Oglesby was so embedded in Dallas society that The Dallas Morning News archives are rife with teas, parties, balls, and signature events prominently featuring his name.
What is striking now is that his architecture seems to be more fully appreciated.
Remember it was only seven years ago that Nancy Dedman’s Oglesby-designed modern masterpiece at 10300 Strait Lane was razed. I honestly don’t think that would happen today, as evidenced by the fact this Oglesby Modernist on Inwood Road was not razed.
Au contraire. It was given possibly the most sensitive and appropriate facelift and update I’ve seen in a decade. It offers vast insight into how Oglesby’s design sense was way ahead of its time.
Letting The Details Shine
Architect Ron Wommack worked at The Oglesby Group and Frank Welch Associates, so I rang him up for some insight.
“Bud was really good at stripping things down to an essence,” Wommack said. “There was no overdesign. He was a master of natural light and siting. Those were his strongest qualities. Every project we worked on was well-detailed.”
This Inwood Modernist leaned toward a more traditional styling because Oglesby adapted his design to client needs and desires.
“The lunettes, the arched detail above the doors, and the hipped roof are more traditional,” Wommack said. “The siting was also traditional, with a formality, which was a departure for him as most of Bud’s designs were not formal. It’s unique to this house and was not part of his usual vocabulary.”
Still Standing
Another reason I believe this 1985-built Oglesby Inwood Modernist has escaped the wrecking ball was his realization of a fluid interior when symmetry was still at the forefront of design. He never lost sight of the simple fact a family would live in his designs, so they must be functional and practical.
This home has 8,727 square feet with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a powder bath, and a home office. You could not ask for better privacy. The house sits on almost two acres and backs up to Bachman creek.
I saw photos of this Inwood Road Modernist at various stages of the renovation process, and the work was beautifully thought-out, honoring the architecture at every turn.
It was especially pleasing to see the seller bring in George Bass Stage and Design to create a memorable look and feel for this home. Staging is a necessity now, especially with homes in this category.
“The challenge with this type of architecture is we cannot infringe on what is already telling the story,” Bass said. “Our goal in staging for the buyer is to keep up with the design. We staged areas to feel welcoming and give the prospective buyer a sense of home. We kept it simple because there was no need to layer here. It’s a modernist house, and it was essential to respect the architecture.”
Seeing new life breathed into such an architecturally significant residence is lovely. Something tells me Oglesby would approve.
Allie Beth Allman and Raul Ruiz have this Oglesby Modernist at 10573 Inwood Road listed for $6.957 million.
