Author Description

Houston Mod's exhibition catalog, Booming Houston and the Modern House: The Residential Architecture of Neuhaus & Taylor, 1955-1960, describes and documents Houston architect Harwood Taylor's early and prolific practice. This phase in his career culminated in his designs for a series of Miesian inspired suburban courtyard houses and apartments built between 1955 and 1960 that were widely published in the local and national press. Harwood Taylor (1927-1989) explored cutting-edge modern design from the late 1940s through the 1960s in Houston, Texas. He was a member of an informal local Miesian school of design inspired by Philip Johnson's house for Dominique and John de Menil of 1951. Taylor stood out in this group because of the ease with which he mixed the most avant-garde architectural design with the exigencies of everyday life of Houston's middle class and elite. As with all activities of Houston Mod, we hope this exhibition will increase awareness in Houston of the importance of post-World War II modern architecture in Houston. Booming Houston and the Modern House features an interpretive essay analyzing the design of the houses in their historical and cultural context. It includes new and historic photographs, along with never before published architectural drawings, all of which were on display in Houston Mod's exhibition of the same name held at the offices of the American Institute of Architects, Houston Chapter from 19 August through 6 October 2006. The catalog was designed by Trina Bentley of Emblem Creative.