Houston Mod

Houston Mod Celebrating Houston's MODern architectural heritage since 2003! Join us here for discussions and event updates.

Houston Mod is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of modern architecture in Houston and Texas. Houston Mod advocates the preservation of this cultural legacy and seeks support from its members and the public in achieving this goal. Houston Mod holds events such as lectures, exhibitions, workshops, film screenings, and tours. Houston Mod has published four works about modern architecture and architects from the Houston region. Online, the organization archives works of many important modern structures both demolished and still with us in the area at HoustonMod.org. The page and email distribution list allows the group to promotes current events and fosters discussions on local mod topics. Houston Mod created and continues the award winning Mod of the Month program to spotlight buildings in need of new preservation minded owners. The group also helped establish Houston Modern Market, which is the largest cultural celebration of “modern” in Texas. Houston Mod celebrates Modern Month in April, bringing focus to the nationally celebrated season at the local level. The Houston Mod Preservation Awards honor good works of modern preservation. Houston Mod is proud to be a friend organization of DOCOMOMO US, a national preservation group. In March 2014, Houston Mod hosted the 2nd Annual DOCOMOMO Symposium, showcasing Houston’s modern architecture to a national audience. Support Houston Mod and help us continue to serve our mission and community, please navigate to the Support section at HoustonMod.org.

Mod of the Month: 1961 Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece​Join Houston Mod this Sunday, August 30, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM fo...
08/27/2026

Mod of the Month: 1961 Mid-Century Modern Masterpiece
​Join Houston Mod this Sunday, August 30, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM for a rare look inside an architecturally significant vintage modern home in Sharpstown Country Club Terrace.
​📍 Location: 8222 Leader Street, Houston, TX 77036
🔗 Property Details: https://www.har.com/homedetail/8222-leader-st-houston-tx-77036/3265806
​This 1961 residence was designed by architect Robert Dyrel Kirk (1929–2008) for his own family and remains in remarkably original condition. Kirk, a 1953 Texas A&M graduate, contributed to landmark projects throughout his career, including work for NASA, the JFK Memorial Plaza, the Fort Worth Water Gardens, and the Crystal Cathedral.
​During the tour, original architectural plans will be on display to offer a firsthand look at the home's spatial design and striking barrel-vaulted ceiling. Although a buyer committed to preserving the home has already been secured, the owners have generously opened the doors for our community to celebrate and learn more about Kirk’s work before the change in ownership.
​Support Houston Mod
Now is the time to renew your support with an annual membership for 2026! Visit our website to join, renew, or find more information on local mid-century modern preservation.

The Fabulous Fifties: Houston Art at the Dawn of the Space Age, 1945 - 1961 Houston Mod invites you to a special gallery...
01/02/2026

The Fabulous Fifties: Houston Art at the Dawn of the Space Age, 1945 - 1961

Houston Mod invites you to a special gallery tour this Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Noon.
Houston Public Library- Julia Ideson Building, 500 McKinney Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Free Parking at Main Library Building Garage
(Garage entrance on Lamar St.)

This is a free event. No registration is needed.

Exhibition curators Christina Wai Grubitz, Tam Kiehnhoff and Randy Tibbits will guide us through the exhibition of over 100 paintings, sculptures and objects created in Houston by more than 30 Houston artists from 1945 to 1961, a period of rapid growth that transformed the regional Magnolia City into the internationally known metropolis of Space City.

Houston Mod invites you on Sunday, November 16, 2025for a Mod of the Month (free!) open house event from 2-4 PM at the H...
11/15/2025

Houston Mod invites you on Sunday, November 16, 2025
for a Mod of the Month (free!) open house event from 2-4 PM at the Hillside Condominiums,
5222 Memorial Dr. and 5242 Memorial Dr. Houston TX 77007
This month’s event centers on two architecturally significant vintage-modern condos in search of preservation-minded owners. The units are located in Hillside, about 2 miles west of downtown Houston. (Additional parking is available along the park edge in front.)
The circa 1960 Hillside condominium complex is a rare find. Not only is it ideally situated on Memorial Drive near thousands of acres of urban parks and convenient to the Heights and Washington Avenue areas, but it's also a MCM jewel of still-intact vintage design. Herbert W. Linnstaedter, of the firm Swenson & Linnstaedter, designed, built, and originally owned the complex. Considered extremely fashionable and exceptional in design when completed, the details include wood beamed sloped ceilings, brick interior walls, copper-trimmed fireplaces (similar in design to some by architect Rudolph Schindler), and specially detailed windows. The terraced grounds, also scarcely found in Houston, are attractive and include a nifty swimming pool. Hillside is a recipient of the Houston Mod Preservation Award.

Houston Mod invites you on Sunday, November 16, 2025for a Mod of the Month (free!) open house event from 2-4 PM at the H...
11/15/2025

Houston Mod invites you on Sunday, November 16, 2025
for a Mod of the Month (free!) open house event from 2-4 PM at the Hillside Condominiums,
5222 Memorial Dr. and 5242 Memorial Dr. Houston TX 77007
This month’s event centers on two architecturally significant vintage-modern condos in search of preservation-minded owners. The units are located in Hillside, about 2 miles west of downtown Houston. (Additional parking is available along the park edge in front.)
The circa 1960 Hillside condominium complex is a rare find. Not only is it ideally situated on Memorial Drive near thousands of acres of urban parks and convenient to the Heights and Washington Avenue areas, but it's also a MCM jewel of still-intact vintage design. Herbert W. Linnstaedter, of the firm Swenson & Linnstaedter, designed, built, and originally owned the complex. Considered extremely fashionable and exceptional in design when completed, the details include wood beamed sloped ceilings, brick interior walls, copper-trimmed fireplaces (similar in design to some by architect Rudolph Schindler), and specially detailed windows. The terraced grounds, also scarcely found in Houston, are attractive and include a nifty swimming pool. Hillside is a recipient of the Houston Mod Preservation Award. photography by Patrick Bertolino modtexas

Houston Mod celebrated with DOCOMOMO US ✨ On Saturday, we gathered at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire, a 1959 modern...
10/21/2025

Houston Mod celebrated with DOCOMOMO US
✨ On Saturday, we gathered at Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire, a 1959 modernist landmark designed by architect Travis Broesche, to explore this year’s theme — Modern Places of Worship.

Guests enjoyed a special presentation by Houston Mod board member Marty Merritt, highlighting Broesche’s architectural legacy across Houston and Texas, along with a display of original drawings and documents from the church’s design.

🎥 Watch the event highlights on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rs0D_7Td6AI

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Docomomo US for organizing this national celebration of modern architecture and design.

📍 Faith Lutheran Church, Bellaire
🏛️ Architect: Travis Broesche (1959)
📚 Presentation: Marty Merritt, author of After Alden: Mid-Century Architecture in Brazosport, Texas

Houston Mod wants to help get the word out about this beautiful home for sale. ****Open house Saturday and Sunday**** Ju...
06/13/2025

Houston Mod wants to help get the word out about this beautiful home for sale. ****Open house Saturday and Sunday**** June 14 and 15 2-4pm at 323 Knipp Rd Houston, TX 77024
See HAR.com and search for the address for more information.
323 Knipp Rd, is an architectural masterpiece designed by the legendary architect Joel Brand in 1975. This one-of-a-kind home showcases Brand's distinctive style, featuring clean lines, open spaces, and high ceilings that create bright, modern, airy living spaces that are both elegant and inviting. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, including a side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, perfect for culinary enthusiasts. With 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, the home is designed for relaxation and privacy. Situated on a generous 20,000 sq ft lot with stunning flagstone , it provides ample space for outdoor enjoyment. Located in Spring Branch ISD, this property stands as a testament to Brand's legacy, offering a rare modern piece of history that has stood the test of time.

Houston Mod hit the road! We had the pleasure of visiting Denton, TX, to explore its outstanding mid-century modern arch...
05/20/2025

Houston Mod hit the road! We had the pleasure of visiting Denton, TX, to explore its outstanding mid-century modern architecture, featuring works by renowned architects like O’Neil Ford, Caudill Rowlett Scott, and Mount Miller. We extend our gratitude to the sites that hosted us and the individuals who made it happen, including city and library buildings, houses of worship, universities, and private homes. Highlights of the tour included the Little Chapel in the Woods, Denton City Hall and Civic Center, Emily Fowler Central Library, and the Unitarian Universalist Church. We appreciate the City of Denton and our hostesses Pati and Peggy for organizing the visit. Special thanks to Linnie, Nick (of Denton Vintage Modern), Crispin Mount Miller, and Mariam for sharing their knowledge and expertise (and/or their homes/shop!). Denton’s modernist spirit is alive and well, and we’re grateful to have experienced it firsthand!

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