MetroABQ's Mid-Century Modern Expressionist Marvel: St. Paul's Lutheran Church
May
Introducing the MetroABQ Mid Mod Home Tour:
Five Unique Mid-Century Modern Homes
Spread Out Across The City
Open For A Day...
Modern Albuquerque, is a newer organization that "promote(s) the presence of modernist architecture in Albuquerque year-round. (They) aim to play an active role in engagement of both residents & tourists around the city's mid-century culture & architectural resources, creating social outlets & experiences, & documenting what remains from the period." Thea Haver & Ethan Aronson, from ModernAlbuquerque.com, & Ten Janka, of Ched Designs, introduced this first ABQ Mod Mod Home Tour...I feel lucky to have attended.
To receive the five exclusive addresses featured on the tour, participants checked in at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Indian School Rd, west of University Blvd. The Flatow & Moore-designed building is itself a stunning Expressionist-style Mid-Century Modern work of art, with a swooping faade seen for miles, & a three-sided inner gathering space. The designers utilized post-tensioned beams, which create a strong structure & unimpeded views in the sanctuary, image below. The building alone was worth the price of admission, & we hadn't yet started the tour...
Directly above is the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, seen here, too; below is a serene scene from the church Sanctuary. See more of this architecturally unique Mid-Century Expressionist building here, including some excellent preserved Mid-Century carved wood furniture, below.
Notice the Mid Mod 'open screen' brick design encompassing the interior wall in the room, above. Below is some wonderfully-preserved Mid-Century Modern furniture that adorns the Sanctuary.
FYI: Love Mid-Century furniture? Ted Janka, one of the tour organizers, has a booth at the Antique Specialty Mall on Central Ave in Upper Nob Hill, called Ched Design, he focuses on Mid-Century Modern furniture & accessories.
The tour took off from the St. Paul's Lutheran Church & hit five Mid Mod homes across the city. Here are some images & info from the tour: Four Hills Mid Mod Home;