Dallas Architecture Forum Features Architect of Controversial ‘Box House’ on Mockingbird

Deck-access housing, often criticized and associated with urban blight in the UK, is experiencing a resurgence, driven by a new generation of architects. This typology, famously dubbed "streets in the sky," was once a prevalent feature in 1960s social housing projects, designed to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic. However, it quickly garnered a negative reputation, becoming synonymous with anti-social behavior and even urban dystopia in popular culture. This negative perception was so deeply entrenched that some deck-access schemes were demolished shortly after their completion, and influential figures, such as former RIBA president Lancelot Keay, disparaged it as "housing for dirty people." Insurers, mortgage lenders, and urban planners continue to approach deck-access homes with caution, often advising against their implementation. Despite this historical prejudice, the article highlights that many of the UK's finest modernist housing examples, including Park Hill and Dawson Heights, utilize deck access. Hundreds of thousands of residents continue to live in such schemes, using elevated walkways daily without incident and often enjoying the arrangement. The author notes that the narrative surrounding deck-access housing often lacks nuance, particularly after high-profile structural failures in prefab designs during the 1980s and Alice Coleman's influential 1985 report, "Utopia on Trial," which linked these designs to social unrest. After a 30-year decline, the typology is making a comeback, with leading architectural firms like Haworth Tompkins, Apparata, and RCKa championing its revival. This renewed interest is explored in "The Deck Access Housing Design Guide," co-authored by Rory Olcayto and Andrew Beharrell, with a foreword by Owen Hatherley. The book chronicles the evolution of this housing type, presents contemporary British and European case studies, and offers practical design guidance. Surprisingly, the resurgence was catalyzed by former London Mayor Boris Johnson's 2009 draft of the London Housing Design Guide. This guide advocated for dual-aspect homes and identified deck access as a viable method to achieve this, emphasizing the importance of an appropriate vernacular. Most of the architects involved in this revival, including Stirling Prize-winners and finalists, were too young to have practiced during the "peak deck" era of the 1960s and 70s. These architects, influenced by the public-spirited modernism of their predecessors, embraced the mayor's challenge, developing a style known as the New London Vernacular (NLV). NLV is characterized as an anti-iconic housing style that emerged in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. It was conceived as a de-risked strategy for developers, being easier to cost, design, build, and sell, and more effective at providing accurate land values than the icon-driven regeneration projects of previous decades. While the London Housing Design Guide did not explicitly mandate brick, it heavily stressed "context," which in London often translates to brick. The guide also called for "tenure-blind" housing with inviting entrances and spacious balconies, as defined in a 2012 report by David Birkbeck and Julian Hart for Urban Design London. Unlike its post-war implementation, which focused on separating pedestrians and cars, contemporary deck-access housing aims to provide high-density dual-aspect homes with individual front doors. While British examples might appear more conservative than their continental counterparts, a closer examination reveals a diverse range of approaches. Examples include Henley Halebrown's playful designs, Matthew Lloyd Architects' blending of new homes with historic estates, and Haworth Tompkins' brick facades for the Silchester Estate. Other notable projects include Murray Grove, Apparata's A House for Artists, and various retrofits of existing structures like Park Hill and former barracks. The article concludes by asserting that the return of deck-access housing, offering dual-aspect homes with cross-ventilation, ample daylight, and enhanced identity through individual front doors, is a positive development, especially given its ability to achieve approximately 300 homes per hectare. While currently favored by urban affordable housing providers, growing planning requirements for dual-aspect flats and advancements in factory-built housing suggest a broader adoption of this typology in the future. #DeckAccessHousing #SocialHousing #UrbanPlanning #ArchitecturalRevival #NewLondonVernacular #ModernistArchitecture #HousingDesign #UKArchitecture #ArchitecturalOpinion

The process of building a custom home, while potentially complex with numerous decisions and unforeseen challenges like supply chain disruptions or weather delays, can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience when the right team is in place. Selecting a proficient builder capable of guiding clients through decision-making processes and proactively addressing potential issues is crucial for a smooth construction journey. This article highlights the importance of choosing a builder from a curated list of top professionals, specifically focusing on the 2021 Best Builders in Dallas. The list of builders featured has undergone a rigorous selection process, including peer nominations and expert vetting, ensuring that only highly reputable and skilled companies are included. This vetting process aims to alleviate concerns for prospective homeowners about selecting a competent and trustworthy builder. The article explicitly mentions that an outdated version of this list was erroneously published in the September/October 2021 issue and confirms that the current list is accurate. The article provides a comprehensive directory of numerous home builders in the Dallas area, offering a valuable resource for individuals looking to construct a new home. Each builder listed is hyperlinked to their respective profiles within the D Magazine directory, allowing users to easily access more information about each company. This extensive list includes a wide range of builders, from Alair Homes and Alford Homes, L.P. to Zachary Custom Homes and UC Properties, among many others. By offering a vetted selection, the article aims to simplify the search for a qualified home builder, encouraging potential clients to consult the provided guide on choosing the right builder and then reach out to these recommended professionals. The ultimate goal is to enable clients to relax and enjoy the process of seeing their dream home come to fruition, confident in the expertise of their chosen builder. The content emphasizes that a custom home build does not have to be a source of stress. Instead, with a team that anticipates problems and provides constant support, the experience can be positive and even fun. The article serves as a practical guide for those embarking on a custom home construction project in Dallas, offering peace of mind through its carefully compiled list of top-tier builders. #DallasBuilders #CustomHomeConstruction #HomeBuildingProcess #BestBuilders2021 #DallasRealEstate #HomeDesign #ConstructionManagement #LuxuryHomes #DHomeMagazine

This article highlights a unique steel and concrete structure nestled in Society Hill, which was once the residence of entertainment impresario Larry Magid, co-founder of Electric Factory Concerts. Magid and his wife, Mickey, sold the home in 2009 to its current owners, Franz Rabauer and Brian Daggett. Rabauer describes the home as a "Bauhaus," a style influenced by modernism that emerged from Germany in the 1920s. Bauhaus architecture typically features flat roofs, smooth facades, and cubic shapes with neutral colors, all of which are evident in this property. Built in 1996, this Center City home was designed by Darroff Designs, with specific details contributed by renowned artists Ray King and Peter Pierobin. The house was custom-built for Magid. During its construction in the mid-1990s, human bones were discovered when builders blasted through an old concrete floor, revealing the site was once a church graveyard in the 19th century. Today, a 51-foot-wide contemporary home stands on the 600 block of Addison Street. Rabauer, a local realtor, was drawn to the home for its distinctive design and open floor plan. A striking feature that captivated him upon his first viewing was the "floating" staircase, positioned adjacent to a three-story wall of glass at the rear of the house. He notes that the staircase, constructed on-site, appears to float three stories high, supported by large steel beams that are painted to blend with the wall, making them almost disappear. This design, combined with numerous skylights, floods the 4,500-square-foot home with abundant natural light. Rabauer characterizes the home as a Bauhaus due to its emphasis on natural light and its clean facade, which primarily consists of rows of glass. The three-bedroom, four-bath residence offers several amenities, including a large family and media room, a garage capable of accommodating at least three cars, an elevator, and tigerwood floors. It also boasts two south-facing terraces and a three-story glass wall that provides views of a private garden. The master suite, occupying most of the third level, includes "his and her" dressing rooms and built-in televisions in the master bath. Custom built-ins, created by internationally acclaimed artist Peter Pierobin, are located in the dining room and media room, providing ideal spaces for Rabauer and Daggett to display their collection of 3D sculptures. The sidelights at the entrance were designed by Ray King, whose work is exhibited globally and includes the "Hello David" sculpture in Philadelphia. Rabauer and Daggett have also personalized the home with several changes, such as repainting the entire interior and exterior in shades of white with subtle hints of blue, gray, and a touch of ochre. They installed limestone and tigerwood floors and replaced the stone on the fireplace. Rabauer expresses his enjoyment of the Center City neighborhood, citing its cobblestone streets and ease of navigation as desirable attributes. #SocietyHill #BauhausArchitecture #LarryMagid #ModernHomeDesign #PhiladelphiaRealEstate #CustomBuiltHome #InteriorDesign #ArtisticDetails