Home, Heat, Money, God: Texas and Modern Architecture
Text by Kathryn O’Rourke, Photographs by Ben Koush, 2024, University of Texas Press
6 ¾” x 9 ½,” 400 pages, hardcover
In the mid-twentieth century, dramatic social and political change coincided with the ascendance and evolution of architectural modernism in Texas. Between the 1930s and 1980s, a state known for cowboys and cotton fields rapidly urbanized and became a hub of global trade and a heavyweight in national politics. Relentless ambition and a strong sense of place combined to make Texans particularly receptive to modern architecture's implication of newness, forward-looking attitude, and capacity to reinterpret historical forms in novel ways. As money and people poured in, architects and their clients used modern buildings to define themselves and the state.
Illustrated with stunning photographs by architect Ben Koush, Home, Heat, Money, God analyzes buildings in big cities and small towns by world-famous architects, Texas titans, and lesser-known designers. Architectural historian Kathryn O'Rourke describes the forces that influenced architects as they addressed basic needs-such as staying cool in a warming climate and living in up-to-date housing and responded to a culture driven by potent religiosity, by the countervailing pressures of pluralism and homogenization, and by the myth of Texan exceptionalism.
Available at www.utpress.utexas.edu
Constructing Houston’s Future: The Architecture of Arthur Evan Jones and Lloyd Morgan Jones
By Ben Koush, Foreword Sarah Whiting, 2017, Houston Mod
8” x 11 ½,” 176 pages, paperback
Lloyd Morgan Jones, one of Houston 's premier modern architectural practices, designed over 2,000 projects from the time they began in 1947 until the remaining partners ceased operations in 1994. The firm worked at all scales, from houses to skyscrapers. Characterized by quiet restraint rather than exuberant formal explorations, the work of Lloyd Morgan Jones is distinguished by its precision in execution. Their buildings are hard-edged and spare; detailing, while extremely precise, is minimal and discreet. They were deliberate in their work and claimed not to be as interested in following trends as in producing designs that could be considered “classical,” a term firm principal Arthur Jones frequently used.
Available at www.houstonmod.org
Hugo V. Neuhaus, Jr.: Residential Architecture 1948-1966
By Ben Koush, Foreword by Stephen Fox, Coda by Gwendolyn Wright, 2007, Houston Mod
11 ½” x 8,” 95 pages, paperback
Houston Mod's exhibition and catalog meticulously unfold the architectural narrative of Hugo V. Neuhaus, a key figure in shaping modern design in Texas. Focused on fifteen houses built between 1948 and 1966, the book delves into Neuhaus's unique approach in reconciling austere modernism with the practical demands of Houston living. Influenced by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Neuhaus crafted immaculate, spacious residences, revealing a dialectical struggle between cutting-edge design and everyday functionality. Set against the backdrop of River Oaks' verdant landscapes, the houses embody a regional inflection, integrating landscape design and architecture. Through a combination of architectural drawings, photographs, and interviews, the exhibition aims to revive interest in Neuhaus's work, emphasizing its cultural significance and advocating for the careful preservation of Houston's modern architectural legacy.
Available at www.houstonmod.org
Booming Houston & The Modern House: Residential Architecture of Neuhaus & Taylor 1955-1960
By Ben Koush, 2006, Houston Mod
11 ½” x 8,” 56 pages, paperback
This catalog and exhibition curated by Houston Mod illuminate the architectural legacy of Harwood Taylor, a trailblazer in modern design in Houston from the late 1940s to the 1960s. Recognized for his adept blending of avant-garde architectural principles with the practical needs of Houston's middle class and elite, Taylor's distinctive contribution comes to the forefront. The catalog thoroughly explores his early and prolific career, focusing on his designs for Miesian-inspired suburban courtyard houses and apartments built between 1955 and 1960, garnering extensive local and national acclaim. Accompanied by an interpretive essay, the exhibition offers a visual journey through Taylor's work, featuring a rich array of new and historical photographs, architectural drawings, and models. Houston Mod's fourth annual lecture, presented as a panel discussion, adds depth to the narrative, involving key participants to foster public dialogue on the enduring significance of post-World War II modern architecture in Houston and the importance of preserving Taylor's remaining residential gems.
Available at www.houstonmod.org
