Malcolm Wells 1926-2009

[DRN]

A link to Mac's self written obituary at his website:

http://www.malcolmwells.com/obituarycomplete.pdf

He will be missed.

[peterm]

Thanks for posting that, DRN. Here is his website:

http://www.malcolmwells.com/designs.html

[SDR]

Laurie Virr was close to Malcolm Wells from early in his adulthood. While still a student, Mr Virr traveled from his native Australia to America and
found himself in the employ of Mr Wells in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was soon given increasing responsibility, including the complete
authorship of a residence, and eventually was offered half of the practice, free of cost.

But young Virr chose to return to Australia so that his first child would be born there, and so Mr Wells insisted that the couple make a grand tour of
certain works of American architecture -- which he underwrote, including the cost of an automobile and the trouble of obtaining permission to visit a
number of buildings in New England, New York, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest.

(Already an Organic architect, Mr Virr's abiding admiration of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright was no doubt cemented by this tour, following which
he returned home, resumed his studies, and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Melbourne, in December 1966.)

SDR

[peterm]

And Mr. Virr's impressive work may be seen here:

www.laurievirrarchitect.com

[DRN]

It is my understanding Wells also arranged a dinner visit to the Sweeton house for Mr. Virr in Fall 1964, apparently a good time was had by all.

I'll have to get around to taking some pics of Wells' Cherry Hill work that I have found. I recently learned that Wells designed some NJ buildings for RCA, as well as their pavilion at the '64 NY Worlds Fair.

[Education Professor]

peterm...I agree with you about Mr. Virr's outstanding design work....it is very noteworthy and epitomizes Organic Architecture.......

EP

[SDR]

Laurie forwards this photo of a model of the RCA pavilion that Mac designed for the World's Fair.

[DRN]

Malcolm Wells' Hunt Residence (1963) in Cherry Hill, NJ has been for sale and is now under contract. One would hope it has found a sympathetic new owner.
Here is a link to some photos on Zillow:

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/13-Cu ... friend-hdp

Mac described the house on a hand written project list I found as "Jumbo Birdhouse-Style"

[DRN]

Good News! I have been informed that a local architect has purchased Mac Wells' Hunt house and plans to sensitively restore it and call it home.

[Tom]

Really like that house.
Wondering if these are original interiors. I would have thought less steel and more wood.

[SDR]

Ditto. The interiors do seem all of a piece; it would be interesting to know if they are original (stainless-fronted kitchen cabinets !) or not, and what might replace them. The exterior could have been designed to conform to a local "gable-roof-only" rule ? As a designer, however, I am familiar with the "let's see where this idea goes" syndrome . . .

SDR

[peterm]

Absolute proof that off white, extremely rough textured plaster with smooth shiny stainless steel is a material combination next to impossible to make work.

I would guess the plaster is original, cabinets definitely not, and the wood has been either removed or painted (is that color black?)

[egads]

Looking closer at the kitchen cabinets seem to have youngsdale hinges (a scissors type) that would be contemporary to the 1963 build.

[dleach]

Speaking of Laurie Virr: I have not seen a post from him on this site in quite some time. I trust all is well with him. I miss his astute commentary.

[DRN]

A 1964 house by Malcolm Wells for sale, thankfully not being marketed as a teardown....

https://www.redfin.com/PA/Rydal/1660-Cl ... e/38203581

The 1964 date matches with Laurie Virr's apprenticeship at the Wells studio...I wish Laurie were here to tell any tales...