FUTURE PERFECT
A Thoughtful Renovation of Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece Written by Bridget Williams / Exterior photography by Matt Peel / Interior photography by Kristin Tatem Richard Isenhour's midcentury midlife crisis was Lexington's gain. After pivoting from an unsatisfying career in chemical engineering to architecture, Isenhour designed more than 100 homes that brought his idea of modernist design to his hometown. Isenhour's designs received a number based on a selfdevised organizational system. His style became bolder over time, evolving from the familiar mid-century style of post-andbeam construction with exposed wooden beams and Kentucky limestone to more minimalist structures erected in the 1970s. This home falls into the portfolio of the architect's later years. It sits directly across Lake Hickman from Isenhour's personal 66 slmag.net
home, constructed in 1972 and featured in Sophisticated Living Lexington's Sept/Oct 2017 issue. While building the home featured in this issue, Isenhour swam across the reservoir and staked out a lot in the yet-to-be-finished subdivision. As fate would have it, both homes are owned by close friends who share a keen interest in preserving the architect's legacy. "This is one of the most special projects I've been able to work on," said Austin Heller of Heller Built, who, along with the architects at Gibson Taylor Thompson and Dovetail Design, breathed new life into the aging beauty in a fashion that respects Isenhour's intent while ensuring the home will endure for generations to come.
