Monday, July 1, 2013

Coldspring Newtown: Baltimore's Modern Oasis

Fresh off of his freshman structure Moshe Safdie, the mind behind the infamous Habitat 67, is called by the Baltimore Department of Housing and Urban Development. Baltimore's plan for Safdie Architects is to build a new modernist town on a hilly piece of land boarding the JFX Expressway. The plan Safdie designs are even more far reaching in scope than its Canadian counterpart. The concept is called the Coldspring Newtown and it is a completely planed community of mixed housing and retail designed to be a "City within a city" as Safdie describes it. By 1981 the first set of "Deck Houses" are completed as part of the first phase of construction. This complex of interlocking brutalist townhomes are unique in that they offer a car free living area elevated above the roads and parking.  This idea of creating a truly walk able space for its residents was a central part of Safdie's plan. However money began to run thin in Baltimore and Safdie architects never got the call they were waiting for to build the rest of the town. What’s left today is a small enclave of beautiful modern town homes that seem almost frozen in a sprit of optimism for a new way of life. Filled with a wide range of residents the Coldspring Newtown deckhouses still hold up to their originally lofty hopes to provide a new affordable way of living in the city.

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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Béton Brut: A Visual Study of Brutalism

Here is a video I made over the winter showcasing Brutalist architecture. Look for a sequel to this coming out over the summer! At this time we are also hard at work on am documentary showcasing Mid-Century Modern homes and their owners in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area. For more info check out www.VioletRedDesign.com

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Modern Real Estate Round Up

For this post I wanted to highlight some great Modern homes currently for sale in the Baltimore and Howard County area. First is a great post modern home in Columbia MD selling for $490,000. The home (pictured above) has great views of nature and some very interesting use of space. The home also features a very nice sun room with a hot tub. 


Next is another home in Columbia listed for $379,500. Nestled amongst tree this home has a great mix of modernism and more classic building styles.


There is also another house similar to this one in Columbia with a listed price of $330,000





For those on a tight budget there is also this affordable Post Modern home listed for $290,000. This house has some great wood detailing on the exterior and a very nice split level design. This is a great buy for anyone who is looking for a great modern home in the Howard County region and has a tight budget.
Moving to the Pikesville/Owings Mill region of Baltimore there are currently some top notch Mid-Century Modern finds. The home pictured above is currently listed for $664,700. This home is a great example of the Mid-Century Modern style with some added touches of contemporary modernism and Post Modernism. Built in the 1980s this house has lots of stone and a beautiful open living room with a vaulted ceiling and skylights. This home has been very well maintained and features some extravagant landscaping.




Also in the Pikesville area is this awesome Post Modern home listed for $618,000. This huge home offers tons of light and even a pool. The home features mirrored walls, a conversation pit style family room, and lots of bedrooms.



Just seconds from I-695 is this MCM Rancher listed for $439,500. This house has a breath taking combined living and dining room with floor to ceiling windows. Built in 1959 this house is part of an almost exclusively MCM neighborhood.


This jaw dropping MCM home in Ownings Mills is listed at $850,000. Built in 1969 this home has been meticulously maintained and updated. It features walls of glass and beautiful wood floors and ceiling. Located in the quiet area of Caves Rd this home is the perfect getaway for any MCM lover.