Welch
by J. Claiborne Bowdon
// welcharchitecturepreston hollow career of architect Cliff
Much of the joy in life is found in surprise. Around 2008, Cliff Welch, well into his career in architecture, was commissioned to build a home just east of White Rock Lake on Wyatt Circle. “I knew that piece of property, so when (the clients) called and told me about it, and it had been vacant forever and had not been for sale, I got really excited just hearing where it was. We went over and I said
‘You know, I’ve always thought on this particular piece of property if we were up about eight or ten feet we may have some pretty nice views. So we rented a cherry picker on a Friday afternoon, and we had a six pack of beer, and we went up on this lift and I was with the clients and when we got up about ten feet off the ground we were all just breathtaken because all the homes in the surround-
by
J. Claiborne
Bowdon
// wyatt circle
// wyatt circle
ing neighborhoods completely disappeared and we were above the tree line- all you could see was the Lutheran church steeple and trees, and that was it.” The trees have grown up since, so the original view of the skyline all the way from Fair Park to the Galleria isn’t what it was, but the canopy of trees going out to the horizon with just about nothing else in sight certainly isn’t a bad one.
Perhaps you got to experience it for yourself as it was part of the White Rock Home Tour this year. Even standing head and shoulders above its neighbors the house beau-
tifully nestles in with the original mid-century moderns that make up the character of the area. “We did want something that worked in that neighborhood…even though it is a modern house.” Its design is an audacious one. Its form began to take shape by placing two rectangular blocks on top of each other and then rotating the top block out.
“If you think of that as just a very simple design move when you rotate the top one it created the second floor terrace off the master bedroom and all that outdoor space and then it covered the carport down below...A lot of archi-
// wyatt circle
// preston hollow
Enjoy a Timeless Contemporary Second Home
tects just stop at the rotated box and win a design award, (but) we started thinking about the Texas climate.” To deal with mitigating the exposure to the sun Welch would use a more traditional roof form and extend the overhangs so that the light coming into the second story would be less harsh. The structural engineer told Welch that, with the more traditional wood framing being used, the top portion could go out eight feet, so that also influenced the design. “We were really trying to work within those rules
and those constraints but kind of push the envelope.” The design succeeded in creating a fantastic, cost-effective structure and living environment, but Welch had wished that the exposed concrete slab floor had resulted in a more beautiful surface.
The house would eventually change hands, and, as luck would have it, its new owners had the insight to reach out to him when they wanted to do some renovation work. A
// preston hollow
// preston hollow
recurring theme in the history of Welch’s homes, outside of his keen instinct for possibility, is the continuing relationships between him, his work, and the people that live in them. In this instance, poured-in-place terrazzo gave the concrete a more aesthetically rich surface and the millwork was redone to accommodate it. This carries over to the thought given to the house that goes beyond the
experience of the exterior and the purpose of rooms, but to the lives that the people within their walls bring with them.
“We don’t see a separation between landscape, architecture, and interiors. We see those three things as being very seamless on any project of any scale. Because of
// preston hollow
All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate, but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. Compass is a licensed real estate broker. Equal Housing Opportunity. BECKY FREY 214.536.4727 becky.frey@compass.com 3121 Beverly Dr This modern masterpiece stands as a testament to architectural innovation and design. With its sleek lines and harmonious blend of materials, every detail speaks of refined elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. LISTED FOR $8,695,000 5 BEDS | 5.1 BATHS | 5,631 SQ. FT. beckyfreyrealestategroup.com
that when we’re starting a project we like to either collaborate with really talented interior designers and landscape architects so that from the very beginning we’re all working in the same direction as opposed to just designing something and then an interior designer or landscape architect comes in after the fact and does their own thing, or we will do a lot of that in-house.” This approach became an absolute necessity with the homes Welch would
build in Preston Hollow and in the Museum Tower. Both clients had extensive art collections, and, while sculptures are easier to place, paintings, especially large canvases, have a certain demand for their presentation.
In Preston Hollow, while many of the rooms are largely given their own footprint and identity rather than running together as an open floor plan, there are extensive por-
// museum tower
// museum tower
tions that are floor to ceiling glass. The second floor was envisioned as a gallery space for much of the work, but rather than separating out the second floor from the living room below the space was opened up to join them and catwalks were put in place in the upper section so that the art can be enjoyed from afar below and up close above. The Museum Tower, the third collaboration between Welch and its owner, by virtue of it being in a
glass exterior building, also was a challenge because of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. In addition to that it’s a downsize from five thousand square feet space to a one bedroom high rise. There was some editing to the collection, but Welch and his team worked to find a way to make it work within its new space and have all of it be in fluid conversation with each other. The concrete columns along the windows are a part of the building structure, but
// museum tower
“We redid almost every finish that you see.”
Age is no barrier to that same reinvention. When an opportunity to completely reimagine an existing home from the 1940’s presented itself in Kessler Park Welch was eager to take it on. As with Wyatt Circle, he knew the area, “It’s on my bike route, we’ve done a lot of design work in
the Kessler Park, Oak Cliff area, and I was familiar with the property, and it was these simple little clean white vernacular structures that were just really run down.” It’s listed as a Colonial Revival, so those characteristics would become a guiding point to its features once everything was taken down to the studs, but, as with the Preston Hollow home and the Museum Tower, the owners had an existing
// kessler parkway
collection that would heavily influence the home as whole.
“The owners had lived in Japan for a while, and they just had an incredible eye, and they had some Japanese furniture and furnishings and also some wonderful Scandinavian pieces.” The result is an uncomplicated interior and exterior, keeping the spirit of their pieces, with a renovated attic that became an upstairs playroom for the couple’s daughter with a new bank of windows.
“None of the walls were straight, the foundation was bad, the roof was bad. It was a real labor of love. Any-
one else would have just torn it down.” In 2020, Welch would be elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. It’s the highest honor given by the AIA to members that have produced exceptional work and recognizes their contributions to architecture and society. Welch didn’t mention this during our conversation - everything we spoke about was about the work, the challenges, and the relationships he continues to enjoy to this day.
// welcharchitecture
// kessler parkway
Green Gallery
Worley Fine
Cluley
Galleri
Johnson Gallery
Gallery Keijsers
Fine
| Briggs PDNB Gallery
on Paper Gallery RO2 Art
Garden CADDALLAS.ORG 2024 MEMBERS
Conduit Gallery Craighead
Cris
Arts Erin
Gallery
Urbane Holly
James Harris
Koning Laura Rathe
Art Meliksetian
Pencil
Valley House Gallery & Sculpture
Somewhere Between Now and Then
Jay Shinn at Barry Whistler Gallery
by J. Claiborne Bowdon
|
// shinn’s studio, dallas
photo by allison v. smith
In a certain light it is a little bit funny for a show composed of work of such demanding precision to have such an impartial, vague title. In another, truer, light it is a title that deepens the ethereal resonance of those works. Light is the malleable focus of Jay Shinn’s career as an artist in a continuing exploration of its ever-changing potential. Whether he’s exploring it directly through his
projection installations or neon light sculptures, or, as here, on static two-dimensional and three-dimensional surfaces, his work is never at rest. Even the “quieter, small scale” (as described in the press release) gouaches on paper in the show are carefully composed in form and material to be an active platform for light.
// barry whister gallery installation | photo by allison v. smith
//
checkpoint, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 72 x 72 x 2 ½ in
Gouache is similar to watercolor, but it carries a heavier load of pigment. This denser mixture of particles results in exceptionally bold and luscious color, and its natural matte finish ensures that it drinks up the light and saturates our vision. It can only be applied in a thin
application, so in order to achieve the solid harmony of tone in these pieces it must be deftly applied. It can be re-wet on the surface of the paper and extended in a lighter shade, but it can’t be built up like acrylic or oil because the low moisture content would cause it to crack
// bijou wave, 2024, acrylic on wood, 80 x 58 x 1/2 in | installation shot by allison v. smith
// installation shot by allison v. smith
and crumble. The, by comparison, humble and familiar circles, striped rectangles, and other shapes depicted in these works carry no less evidence of the skill and the thought that Shinn has given to his larger pieces.
Time certainly seems to have no relevance to the large
canvases and monoliths, either in its effect on them or how much of it you may spend in meditative witness of them. There is something alive in them that is unstuck from our understanding of the present and even space. Though they are certainly lit within the gallery they seem to produce their own light. Shinn’s compositions here are
// sentinal group
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arrhythmic lace, 2023, acrylic on panel, 69 x 69 x 2 in
masterfully executed through line and shape, whether flat or convex, that communicates a topography of rich rising and falling detail. Finally, to complete the illusion, the subtle gradation of color between the lines gives them a gently pulsating appearance.
This is Shinn’s fourth show with the gallery, and it is
uniformly stunning. Each piece can quiet or excite your mind. Close inspection or respectful distance reveals and rewards in equal measure. You may forget how long you spent viewing the show, but you won’t forget the way it made you feel. The show is open through May 11.
// barrywhistlergallery
// goulache collection
Engage Educate Experience Enjoy
The Dallas Architecture Forum is for everyone who wants to experience inspired design. The Forum presents an award-winning Lecture Series that brings outstanding architects,interior designers, landscape architects and urban planners from around the world, as well as Symposia, Receptions at architecturally significant residences, and Panel Discussions on issues impacting North Texas.
dallasarchitectureforum.org
MODERN LIVING EVERYDAY OF THE YEAR
// ricks circle residence
The Dallas Architecture Forum presents their 365 Modern Living Receptions with two exceptional residences and their design teams .
The Palomar Residence: After a tornado swept through Dallas North Dallas in 2019, an existing residence in Preston Hollow was damaged beyond repair. The home-
owners decided to build a new residence on the site based on their current and future needs. The clients envisioned their new home to be modern, sustainable, and timeless while providing warmth and comfort. Having a large gathering space that extended beyond the interior to encompass outdoors was a priority, along with incorporating highly functional yet beautiful public and private
// palomar residence:
// palomar residence
spaces. The new home reflects the owners’ personality and provides a balanced backdrop for their extensive art collection, including a heroic-scale custom designed sculpture in the reflecting pool.
The home is set back on the lot with an expansive yard for sculpture installations along with newly planted mature trees that bring back what was lost after the storm. Upon entering the residence, views out to the pool and mature plantings resonate throughout. The private offic-
es are shielded from the street and have shaded views out to a meditative Japanese style garden. The design is rooted in classic modernism, embracing the principles of the International Style: a composition of thin planes and volumes, visible steel framework, large expanses of glass, flat roofs, and no applied ornamentation. The exterior palette radiates a sense of harmony between the natural warm tones of Douglas Fir wood, a sleek Italian ceramic rain screen facade, and the base of split-faced Coldspring black granite laid in linear coursing.
// palomar residence
The clients requested an intimately scaled dining room, but also wanted to be able to host larger gatherings for family and guests. The innovative design solution is a movable louvered screen that allows for significant expansion of the dining room. The expansive double-sided garage and courtyard also allow for outdoor entertaining. Carefully curated materials including porcelain tile floors, quartz countertops, and warm wood cladding are notable features throughout the residence.
Architecture
Welch Architecture
Cliff Welch, FAIA
Interior Design + Lighting
Robyn Menter Design Associates, Inc.
Robyn Menter
Lauren Niblett
Sierra Ruiz
Landscape Architect
Armstrong Berger
John Armstrong
Contractor
Hardy Construction
Stephen Hardy
// palomar residence
// ricks
circle residence
Ricks Circle Residence: Mature trees and a spacious site are key components of what attracted the homeowners to this established neighborhood. The home was designed for the active empty nesters to include a pickleball court, a pool, and a floating pavilion with drop down screens allowing for year-round entertaining of family and friends. Large glass walls wrap a central green space that flows seamlessly to the exterior entertaining spaces. The open floor plan can accommodate large groups in the great room, but a smaller gathering space highlighted by a steel screen sculpture created by James Cinquemani was designed for TV watching and more intimate gatherings. The screen detail was also designed for the door to the wine room. The second floor includes an exercise
room and a home office with glass walls overlooking the treetops. The homeowner’s art collection is beautifully displayed throughout the home.
Rough cut small format stone as well as larger smooth cut limestone are the primary exterior materials. Riftcut Douglas Fir soffits and composite wood siding provide a warm accent to the natural stone. These same materials are carried through the interior of the home. Rift cut white oak floors and cabinets combined with the natural stone walls create a warm and inviting atmosphere for entertaining and relaxing in their daily lives.
// ricks circle residence
Architecture
Bernbaum/Magadini Architects
Patricia Magadini AIA
Bruce Bernbaum AIA
Interior Design
Rick Rozas Design
Landscape Architects
Studio Outside
Amy Bartel
Lighting Consultant
Douglas Architectural Lighting
Shane Douglas
Structural Engineer
Paragon Structural Engineering
Contractor
Faulkner Perrin
Palomar Residence / May 07 2024
Ricks Circle Residence / May 22, 2024
The receptions will be from 6 to 8 pm with remarks by the design teams at approximately 6:45 pm.
Tickets available at dallasarchitectureforum.org
// ricks circle residence
MODERN SPACES 3503 Edgewater Street // $3,995,000 4231 West Lawther Drive // $13,977,000 3837 Gaspar Drive // $1,650,000 2849 Park Bridge Court // $4,000,000 RYAN STREIFF c. 469.371.3008 ryan@daveperrymiller.com JOHN WEBER c. 214..679.2427 john.weber@compass.com FAISAL HALUM c: 214.240.2575 faisal.halum@sothebysrealty.com MATT SCOBEE c. 214.402.8935 matt@iconicres.com
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