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One of the most interesting architectects you never heard of Bruce Goff.

Great interesting architecture is often hard to come by, so I wanted to showcase one of my favorite architects: Bruce Alonzo Goff. Anybody can build a basic home with four walls and a roof, but this man built dreams that you could live in. Bruce Goff was creative in a way that no modern architect I have seen can match.

Bruce Goff was born in Alton Kansas in 1904. He was considered a child prodigy and had his first apprentice job at twelve years old. He later became a partner with that firm Rush Endicott & Rush. His first famous work was and Art Deco building to house the Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Goff's design portfolio had over 500 projects and he actually built about 146 of his designs. As of 2009 only 80 of his creations remain. His work was considered to be "organic" and was always very specific to the individual client and project site. Goff loved using recycled materials and unconventional objects. It was not uncommon to find parts of airplanes, rocks, coal, ropes, zebrawood, cake pans or chunks of recycled glass in his designs.

Despite not having architecture credentials he taught at the University of Oklahoma for a period. Unfortunately he was caught up in a scandal involving one of his students in the mid 1050's and lost his tenure and position with the school.


One of his last designs The Pavilion for Japanese Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was begun in 1978 but was not completed until after his death in 1988. It is infused with natural light through translucent panels in many places.

Sadly Goff died in 1982. One of his students, Grant Gustavson designed his headstone and even incorporated a piece of glass from one of Goff's works; the Price House.

Here is a link to photos of several of Goff's designs. Take a look at several, as he designed homes with a variety of styles. http://www.narrowlarry.com/nlgoffindex.html

Here is a link to photos of the Duncan House http://www.brucegoff-castle-bandb.com/castleinfo.htm This home is currently functioning as a Bed & Breakfast, so you can experience Goff first hand.

Here is a link to photos of the Durst Home. http://www.narrowlarry.com/nlgoff-durst.html Since I grew up in Houston I had seen this unusual home and always marvelled at its unique exterior. To this day I still wonder what the inside must look like!

Here is a link to the Bavinger house. This is my favorite Goff house and this home is open to the public. Amazingly this link has interior photos! http://www.narrowlarry.com/nlgoff-bavinger.html

Here is an incomplete list of Goff's works in chronological order.

I will warn you upfront I am not including photos as I was not able to reach anyone to get permission. You know me, I would rather be safe than sorry. All information was culled from Encyclopedia.com and Wikipedia.com.

If you are looking for an unusual home in the Austin area, call me. I will leave no stone unturned to find the right home for you! If you are interested in selling your unique home, I can help you find the right buyer to take care of your castle!

Betina Foreman Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate 1801 S. MOPAC, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78746

512.771.6318 www.BetinaForeman.com

Posted Monday Nov 02