Wright Chat

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Gordon Bolinger, the owner of the Alsop house here in Oskaloosa, Ia. passed away two days ago.

His sister has decided to sell the house including all of Wright’s original furniture, which is in excellent condition. The Alsop and Lamberson houses were both designed in 1948, completed in 1951, with construction overseen by apprentice Johnny Hill.

Won’t you be my neighbor?

I would like that.

Here are images of the property, mostly from the Artstor file except where larger scans were available from print sources.

https://library.artstor.org/#/search/Wr ... =1;size=48




















Unusual bathroom mirror cabinet . . .

I’m very sorry to hear of Gordon’s passing.

Peter, please let Gordon’s sister know that the FLWBC is here to provide guidance and assistance with Wright on the Market in the task to find a new preservation minded owner/steward to continue her brother’s efforts and care for the house.

I have, and she’s very interested in that. I would imagine she will be contacting soon.

Text from Monograph 7:




W A Storrer's description of the commission:

The plan as drawn provided for one bedroom to start, with a smaller space marked "Help or Sewing"; a future second bedroom and master suite were indicated. Clearly the house was built with that addition integrated into the plan; the childrens' bedrooms were now placed together, with a bath helpfully separating them from the master bedroom. On the bedroom millwork sheet this final plan is shown, with the spare room now marked "Nursery." Storrer's plan is likely incorrect. His comment about a 9-inch concrete mat is mysterious. On the Taliesin plan a partial basement has been erased.








The kitchen is not provided with a window, just a generous skylight---despite there being a convenient outside wall where a window could have been centered if desired. But this would have spoiled the northeast elevation . . .






The construction specs call for hefty steel Ts as window mullions; the detail sheet shows wood. Sash hinges are uniquely canted, in plan . . .






Section drawings show the usual doubling of roof pitch, from one side of the ridge(s) to the other; here it is 3 1/2 in 12 and 7 in 12. The penetration of living space by three hefty roof rafters is a rarity in Wright. Two different seat pitches are shown on different drawings.







Drawings © The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archives (The Museum of Modern Art | Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York)

The late owner told me that the floor slab is 9” deep, a structural mat that spans the building. It has sunk on the window wall side of the house due to actions by a prior owner.

I was told that all the original custom wood windows were replaced with Pella windows and that the fireplace flues were filled with concrete.

Please correct me if this is inaccurate.

I was told that the original single pane windows were removed, stored in a shed and replaced with Pella windows by the prior owner. I am not aware of the condition of the fireplaces.

Stafford Norris kindly supplies this piece from the Des Moines Register for Saturday, February 25, 1995:

The windows were definitely replaced with vinyl Pella windows. I don’t recall Gordon mentioning concrete in the fireplaces.

Although there are earlier Wright Chat threads discussing Alsop, here is the first one that goes into the house in some detail.

http://wrightchat.savewright.org/viewto ... ilit=alsop

Who can update us on the condition of the slab ? What repairs if any were made to it ? Is there more to do to ?

I'm intrigued by the unusually thick mat---almost three times the normal thickness for a Usonian. What was the impetus for that ?

S

I was told that the radiant floor does not work. It would require that the 9 inch slab be removed and replaced with new technology to restore the radiant heat.

Also, I heard that there are two all cash offers on the home.

Realtor.com estimates value at $202K, and Zillow estimates at $195K. It will be interesting to see what it sells for.

the property at 1907 A Ave E, Oskaloosa, IA 52577 has approximately 2,281 square feet, 3 beds and 2 baths with a lot size of 1.7 acres. Nearby schools include Oskaloosa Elementary School, Oskaloosa Middle School and Oskaloosa High School.

The house actually has 4 bedrooms, but the smallest one closest to the kitchen has no closet. It would function more as an office, nursery or media room.

It’s true that there are a few offers already.