Care-Free in Hollin Hills

"Our goal is to endow the home with a personality ... delightful to be in, pleasant to live in, worthy of pleasure and pride in possession."

--Charles M. Goodman, A.I.A, Alcoa Care-free Home brochrue

When I recently wrote about this Charles Goodman Alcoa Care-free house in Minnesota, a reader rightly noted that there is one of the models in Hollin Hills. After the House and Garden Tour on Saturday, I swung by 7801 Elba Rd. to see how our local Care-free stacked up to the one up north. Unfortunately, from the look of the outside, the house (which is not for sale) cannot match the pristine condition of the one in Minnesota.

1949 'Unit 2' Charles Goodman in Hollin Hills - $727K; Open 5/4

More Goodman for you. Here's a listing for one of the earliest homes built in Hollin Hills, a Unit 2, which is a 3/2 one-story slab-on-grade house. Looks good for being almost 60 years old, but seems a bit pricy for the size. Open house 1 to 4 p.m. on May 4.

Hollin Hills: Hot, Hilly and History

Nearly 700 people hiked, biked or drove through Hollin Hills yesterday to view nine homes and gardens as part of the 2008 Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour. The day began with a lecture and Q & A session with Hollin Hills residents Dennis Carmichael, a landscape architect, and John Burns, an architectural historian, who briefed the audience about the history of the community's architecture and landscape design. The homes in Hollin Hills "are not huge, but they live big," Carmichael said of the Charles Goodman-designed homes with open spaces and walls of glass that allow the blending of inside and outside space.

Burns discussed the history of the relationship of Goodman and Hollin Hills developer Robert Davenport, who built the nearby cooperative community of Tauxemont in the 1940s. Goodman was brought in by a number of Tauxemont residents to help expand the basic cinder bloc, one-story side-gabled roofed homes that were originally designed to make it easy to incorporate additions. After this experience, the two teamed up to develop Hollin Hills, designing the homes, which were built with early prefabrication techniques, to fit with the natural surroundings, a radical idea at the time. Landscape architects Lou Bernard Voigt, Dan Kiley and Eric Paepcke were responsible for the original landscape designs.

It was interesting to see how the different homes have been altered and expanded, although I would have liked to compare these homes with others that are still in their original form. It also was interesting (and a little suprising) to see that not all Hollin Hills residents fill their homes exclusively with mid-century modern furniture or art.

On a personal note, it was great to meet all the readers of the blog who introduced themselves, especially the crew from the Takoma Park Goodmans. Enjoy the photos if you could not make it yesterday, and hats off to all those from Hollin Hills who organized the tour.

Here are some more pictures from Modern Capital reader Andrew.

Early 1950s Hollin Hills Goodman - $497K, Open 4/26

If you're heading to the Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour today, you can check out this early 1950s one-level, 3/1.5 Charles Goodman that is open from 1 to 4 p.m. The listing's images are almost exclusively exterior shots and says it is "waiting for inspired renovations," so you can see the inside today to see what may need to be done.

The Post Remembers Francis D. Lethbridge

Francis Donald Lethbridge, one of D.C. leading modernist architect during the 1950s and '60s who helped design Cardeorck Springs, Holmes Run Acres, Pine Spring among other contemporary neighborhoods, died last week at the age of 87. The Washington Post ran a lenghty obituary today on the contributions to local architecture scene Lethbridge made during his career here in D.C.

Here's a great quote from Lethbridge:

"The whole idea of contemporary design was so new in Washington that Nick [Satterlee] and I had to write the ads and the brochure to explain what we were trying to do," Mr. Lethbridge said in 1974. "I guess we succeeded, because the printer of the brochure went out the next day after setting it and bought a house in Holmes Run."

1955 Raymondale Ranch - $335K

The listing for this 3/1 mid-century ranch in Raymondale in Falls Church says it is a fixer upper and only has one exterior picture. Could this be a preserved mid-century with period details or an example of poorly updated contemporary home? Either way, it is a home on nearly a third of an acre in a community of mid-century contemporaries inside the Beltway for just over $300K. Could be a good find or a good project for someone.

Reminder: Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour This Saturday

Just a reminder that this Saturday is the 2008 Hollin Hills House and Garden Tour. If you have not already registered, tickets ($20) will be on sale the day of the tour from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

A free pre-tour lecture open to the public, "Hollin Hills: Modern Becomes Historic," will be held from 11:00 a.m. to noon at Hollin Meadows Elementary School. Architectural historian John Burns will lead a discussion on the original design types and the evolution of architecture over the past 50 years. Landscape architect Dennis Carmichael will discuss the common area landscape of Hollin Hills as well as its contemporary garden types.

For all the Modern Capital readers attending the event, I'd love to say hi and thank you for supporting the blog. I'm easy to spot. Just look for my red hair.

1970 Scholz MCM in Glenwood Park - $389K

The listing for this 3/3 California contemporary in Glenwood Park in Lanham, which appears to have had little if no updating, says it is a "one of a kind Scholz design" taken from Homes and Garden Magazine. This looks like a design by Donald J. Scholz, who founded Scholz Homes in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio in 1946. Scholz was named by Builder Magazine in 2000 as one of the 21st century’s 100 most influential figures in the residential building industry. More on Scholz from the website of his son, John, who also is an architect:

"Boldly departing from post-WWII uniformity, Scholz homes were distinct and innovative, gaining popularity in upscale American communities throughout the fifties. Don both designed and built these homes and by the 1960’s had become one of the largest homebuilders in the United States. Influenced by modernist architects like Mies Van Der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, he had a strong appreciation of nature and the extension of indoor to outdoor living. Extensive floor-to-ceiling glass treatments, cathedral ceilings and open living spaces were used to blur the line between the interiors and exteriors of homes."

Scholz sold more than 50,000 California contemporaries and was an early innovator of prefabrication techniques. Here is some more information of on Scholz from the Forest Hill Home Owners website in Cleveland. Scholz built 21 homes in this community.

1956 Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired Chevy Chase Contemporary - $1.5 Million

The Frank Lloyd Wright comparison in this listing rings true. This 4/3.5 home with pool sits on nearly a half acre in Chevy Chase, just across the D.C. line. See the virtual tour for extensive images.

1961 Hollin Hills Goodman - 579K; Open 4/27

Here's a listing for a 3/2 Goodman in located in Hollin Hills. Some of the paint colors and kitchen floor are a little too bold, but those are easy to fix. The house is open April 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Kitchen that Henry Built

Regular readers of this blog know my frustration when I see mid-century modern homes here in our area with the cliche-of-the-moment granite and stainless steel kitchens. Do people realize that, in most cases, this particular combination just does not work? So then people ask me, "Mike, what should I do in the kitchen?" My answer: "How about something like Henrybuilt." I think the modern, clean lines and materials of Henrybuilt are a natural fit with the Goodman's, Ken Freeman's and Carderock contemporaries we have here. While the company does not have a showroom in D.C., there is one in New York. "Don't let distance deter you from contacting us," Henrybuilt says soothingly. "We have well-developed processes for working with you no matter where your home may be." How about Bethesda? Where do I sign up?

Charles Goodman Alcoa Care-Free Home For Sale in Minnesota

Too bad this Charles Goodman Alcoa Care-Free Home is in Minnesota rather than here in D.C. It's only $575K. How much do you think it would go for here? Listen to an audio tour of the house by journalist and blogger Todd Melby.

Also, check out this great Flickr slideshow of an Alcoa Care-Free Home in Rochester. The owner has scanned in images from the original sales brochure that has been handed down with the house.

Modern Snapshot: Charles Goodman's Whittier Woods School

I'm launching a new feature, Modern Snapshot, which will highlight mid-century modern buildings in our area that are not only still standing, but still being used on a daily basis--a school, church, library or some other type of space. If you have suggestions, ideas or submissions (with pictures), please send here.

The first building I'm featuring is the Whittier Woods School located on Whittier Boulevard in Bethesda. Attributed to Charles Goodman, the 1950s-era school, now the Kenwood Park Children's Center at Whittier Woods Center, is brick with lots of glass and examples of colored exterior panels Goodman often incorporated into his designs. While the building has been expanded, it appears that the original structure was retained with the new section simply attached to the existing building. Achitectural historian Elizabeth Jo Lampl, in her writings on Goodman, says the school was originally called Kenwood Park School. I found a reference to the school as Whittier Woods from the early 1960s. The letters spelling out the school's name, which appear to be original, indicate that the name was changed when that cool, very MCM typeface was still being used.

1951 Holmes Run Acres Contemporary - $499K

I like the angled carport and all that glass on the back of this 4/2 in Holmes Run Acres in Falls Church located just inside the Beltway. The listing has images.

1970 Truro Grandview Contemporary - $632K; Open 4/13

This Grandview in Truro is the largest model in the Annandale neighborhood. The 4/3.5 home has wood cathedral ceilings, expanses of glass along the back of the house and a kitchen that actually fits in with the house--meaning it is devoid of the cliche granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The house, built by Miller & Smith, is open this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

1956 Mid-Century Split in American University Park - $939K

I like what the owners have done with this mid-century 3/2.5 split-level in American University Park in D.C. They have kept some of the period details and mixed them with some more modern touches. Check out the listing's virtual tour for more images.

1950 Hollin Hills Goodman - $619K; Open Every Sunday

Here is a listing for a FSBO Charles Goodman in Hollin Hills. The owner is marketing the house as a "hip 50’s modern 1 1/2 levels house in historic Hollin Hills." The 3/2 house (was a four bedroom; the mater bedroom was expanded) is 1,600 sq. ft. The house is open each Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

1955 Custom Deigert & Yerkes in Kennsington - $859K; Open 4/6

The open layout, abundance of glass and unusual angles give this custom MCM by Deigert & Yerkes a true atomic age feel. Located in Rock Creek Hills in Kennsington, this 4/3 has a private, low-slung profile from the front which then opens up on the back side of the house with walls of windows to view the 16, 500sq. ft. landscaped lot. The architects, Deigert & Yerkes, designed homes in the contemporary communities of Wessynton and Truro in Virginia. The house is open today from 1 to 4 p.m. View the the listing for more images.

Price Drops: Custom McLean Goodman, Lake Barcroft and Lake Normandy Estates

Here are some updates on three homes I previously featured:

Endangered McLean Goodman: The small custom 1957 Charles Goodman I posted last month that I fear could be torn down because its sits on 1.7 acres in McLean has dropped $100K. Again, the images in the listing mostly shows the land and no interior photos of the house.

Contemporary in Lake Normandy Estates; Open 4/6: This 1965 split-foyer contemporary with tons of glass has dropped more than $50K. It's open today from 1 to 4 p.m. The 4/3 home is located in Potomac. The listing has plenty of images.

Flat-Roof Mid-Century in Lake Barcroft: I first posted this 1959 MCM in June 2007. The house (pictured below) is back on the market for $755K, or almost $100K less than the original listing price. The house is located here in Lake Barcroft in Falls Church.

City Paper Buyer's Market Column Highlights Modern Capital Tip

The City Paper's Buyer's Market column, which enjoys "celebrating the District's real-estate bust," highlighted my tip on a modern home that has had a major price drop. This relatively new home (built in 2005) with an MCM feel in Fairfax fit the bill. The last time I wrote about the flat-roof house with indoor koi pond, it had dropped from $1.25 to $950K. The price has now dropped to $899K. Read Angela Valdez's item on the home built by master builder Jack Willmore. Check out his modern Millenium House not far from George Mason University in Fairfax.

Billy Smull-Designed Bannockburn Home to Remain

Good news. The 1953 Billy Smull-designed Bannockburn Estates home I wrote about here has been purchased by MCM fans who intend to preserve the home. "We just bought this house," the anonymous poster said. "We love it, and we certainly are not going to tear it down! We plan to update/restore it a little bit, which it needs, and that's all. It's exactly what we were looking for." With the home sitting on the market for a while and with the price dropping $300,000, it looked like the property was being sold for the .82 acres of land in the prime Bethesda neighborhood. I had a feeling the home was a goner; I'm glad I was wrong.