A recent conversation with architect Max Levy made me look at modernist architecture in a new light. While I’ve always appreciated it, I don’t think I fully understood it until we spoke. He made two points that struck me deeply.
The most elementary act of architecture is the framing of a view.
The true power of architecture is that you don’t need much interior decoration. You wind up with a beautiful natural space graced with an awareness of nature that colors your life.
Max Levy
It was one of those moments when I wanted to slap my hand to my head and say, “Of course!” But that’s what conversations with architects are like. They make you think while revealing things that should be obvious because architects are brilliant.
When I began looking for a Monday Morning Millionaire to strike your fancy, there were a plethora of gorgeous homes because we do have some stunning inventory right now. But these two modernist homes rose to the top immediately, and I thought, why not? Let’s feature two architecturally significant modernist properties. They beautifully illustrate what Levy said about not needing much interior design. The views are truly everything in these homes.
I’d seen the gates to Texas architect Bill Booziotis’ design of 9035 Broken Arrow Lane in Devonshire and always wondered what was down the path. Sebastian Construction completed the home after Booziotis died in 2016. One of the many glorious aspects of architect-designed homes is the great care taken not to disturb the natural surroundings. The view is art. This modernist home sits on almost an acre, backing up to Bachman Creek. It’s wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows, so wherever you look, your gaze falls on the surrounding natural beauty.
A Highland Park Oglesby-Green Modernist
Heading over to the Park Cities, we have a stunning modernist by Oglesby-Green at 6625 Golf Drive. We’ve written reams about Bud Oglesby, who founded the firm over 60 years ago. While we lost Bud in 1993, The Oglesby Group merged with the office of Graham Green in 1995 and has continued to be firmly rooted in the modernist tradition of architecture, generating a list of alumni, including Levy, that reads like a who’s-who of significant architects.
Architecturally we are ‘classic modernists’ and have made a strategic decision to avoid engaging in recapitulations of traditional architectural forms and technologies.
Oglesby-Green
What I find fascinating is this home was designed at the same time Bootziotis was finishing his design for 9035 Broken Arrow. The similarities are reflective of the modernist movement, and the sites interestingly both back up to creeks. Both have beautiful fireplaces that seem to float in banks of windows, and each offers an elevator. Of course, each home has unique and defining characteristics. This modernist has a cantilever deck overlooking Turtle Creek, a dramatic indoor fish tank, and a koi pond, while Broken Arrow has an exterior staircase to the second story leading to a private balcony.
Having two modernist masterpieces on offer simultaneously is thrilling and a tribute to the architectural talent in this city.
Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Diane Duvall has 9035 Broken Arrow Lane listed for $7.995 million.
This Oglesby-Green modernist masterpiece at 6625 Golf Drive is listed by Allie Beth Allman for $8.95 million.
