Article: MCM house in St. Louis by Isadore Shank

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:54 am

Dad's midcentury Frontenac marvel becomes Stephen Shank's home

David

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 12:32 pm

Wonderful time capsule. It looks bigger than 1800 sf.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:36 pm

Delightful. The captions to the earliest photos in the generous gallery are very thorough. The story answers my question: the bright colors are the work of the present owner.

The gray ceilings and interior woodwork are a pleasant novelty. So is the roof shape and construction. The owners have a nice collection of furnishings.

One would expect fellow St Louis architect Andrew Raimist to have a page on Shank. Here it is:

http://andrewraimist.com/2012/06/isador ... itect.html

Many images of Shank's work can be found online.

http://preservationresearch.com/2011/01 ... h-january/

SDR

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:06 pm

A video version of the Post-Dispatch piece.

http://video.stltoday.com/At-home-See-t ... c-30165809

I prefer to think that the mirrors on the bedroom closet doors were not there originally . . . !

SDR

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 12:11 pm

I agree. The mirrors look out of place.
The fireplace is exceptional (0:45): a simple rectangular opening with a slab of stone(?) next to it, trimmed by wood(?) on two sides, tucked in the lower left of that huge brick wall.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 1:04 pm

Text reveals that the fireplace opening is surrounded with copper, while the stone panel is marble. The copper fireplace trim is said to be a favorite detail of the architect.

I like the brick floors. The complexity of space and structure at the meeting of entry path, protective overhang, vertical glazing and visual penetration is a delight -- shown at the beginning of the video and in this still . . .

The roof joists change direction over the living room so that a modest overhang is possible over the terminal window wall.

SDR

Wrighter · Post by **Wrighter** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 3:46 pm

I believe that Mr. Shank has been an admirable advocate for his father's architecture. I remember seeing him at an open house for one of his father's other buildings. He had no financial incentive as far as I know, but was there to answer questions and talk about his father's work to potential buyers of the home.

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 4:00 pm

Great house.
The little cylindrical lamp on the low cabinetry to the right of the living room fireplace may be by Paul Mayen:

https://www.google.com/search?q=paul+ma ... sGsKOVM%3A

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 5:19 pm

What decade is that design from, DRN ? Is it American or European ?

SDR

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 7:00 pm

The Miesian lamp DRN mentions, definitely Mayen for Habitat, is from the 1960s.
Paul Mayen, Edgar Kaufmann Jr.'s partner, designed the gift shop at Fallingwater...

http://www.amnesta.net/other/fallingwater/

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Tue Jan 19, 2016 9:53 pm

This photo shows a red sculpture which, according to the piece Peter linked, was designed by Paul Mayen.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/60 ... otostream/

SDR

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 12:15 pm

Edgar's will stated that his art collection should be sold, but that Paul could take whatever pieces he wanted if he had a special connection to them. Paul said he had a special connection to all of them, and kept them all.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:55 pm

Did Edgar's will state the intended recipient of the proceeds from the sale of his assets ?

SDR

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:45 pm

That I don't recall for certain, but I believe it was an institution rather than an individual.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:57 pm

Hm. So, the last step would be to know whether the recipient of Edgar's unintended largess went on to profit from the ownership of the collection . . . I suppose.

SDR