Apr 10, 2009
Robert Pike and Barbara House (512 Glen Court) - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance Robert Pike was introduced to Buff, Straub and Hensman’s work because he lived near Avenue 64 in southwest Pasadena and saw many of their designs realized. He was introduced to his lot by realtor William Carr (see the Poppy Peak background and description), who worked closely with the firm, particularly Conrad Buff, in aligning architect, client and site, a fact which demonstrates the integration of the firm’s life and work with its community. While this 1958 house shares most of the character defining features of Buff, Straub and Hensman work, it also reveals the architects’ ability to work in a “classic” Mid-Century style with a flat roof, delivered in a very crisp design with very spare, clean horizontal lines. Of note, too, is the Modem appropriation of the Japanese tradition of “balanced asymmetry,” seen in the primary elevation’s handling of the two primary volumes interrupted by the main entry path, in turn protected by beams and tongue-and-groove decking which does not extend over the entire width of this important path. Instead, by terminating the decking, the architects allow the play of light to animate the journey to the front door, a play of light that changes over time. Yet while the front of the house is relatively sealed to inquisitive eyes, the rear and private portion of the house opens with glass window walls to the outdoors. In classic Mid-Century modem fashion, broad overhangs expand interior space into the outdoors. While not large, the house possesses a generosity in the spaces and “traffic patterns” throughout the house. The layout is well organized and clever, for example, in visually protecting the visitor and user from the car, housed in the carport (another important character-defining feature and exemplary of post-World War II design and budget concerns) that is lined with translucent plastic panels. The house retains its integrity, possesses many of the character-defining features required by this property type under the MPS Registration Requirements, is the work of a master architect. Buff, Straub and Hensman, and exemplifies a high quality of design. The Pike House is therefore eligible to qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C, Architecture and Design, at the local level of significance, with a period of significance of 1958. Significance—Conclusion Argument under Criterion C- Eligible As demonstrated above, the 1958 Pike House by Buff, Straub and Hensman meets the registration requirements as outlined in the MPS. It has retained the respective required aspects of integrity to a high degree both on the exterior and the interior. It is an excellent example of the firm’s body of work in its classic Mid-Century styling, as well as embodying the larger architectural concerns and expressions of Pasadena’s “Recent Pasf’ as described in the Context Statement.'' It is significant as demonstrating innovation in residential Modernism within the period of significance, 1958. Therefore, it is eligible to qualify for listing under Criterion C, Architecture and Design, at the local level of significance, with a period of significance of 1948 - 1968.
Robert Pike and Barbara House (512 Glen Court) - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance Robert Pike was introduced to Buff, Straub and Hensman’s work because he lived near Avenue 64 in southwest Pasadena and saw many of their designs realized. He was introduced to his lot by realtor William Carr (see the Poppy Peak background and description), who worked closely with the firm, particularly Conrad Buff, in aligning architect, client and site, a fact which demonstrates the integration of the firm’s life and work with its community. While this 1958 house shares most of the character defining features of Buff, Straub and Hensman work, it also reveals the architects’ ability to work in a “classic” Mid-Century style with a flat roof, delivered in a very crisp design with very spare, clean horizontal lines. Of note, too, is the Modem appropriation of the Japanese tradition of “balanced asymmetry,” seen in the primary elevation’s handling of the two primary volumes interrupted by the main entry path, in turn protected by beams and tongue-and-groove decking which does not extend over the entire width of this important path. Instead, by terminating the decking, the architects allow the play of light to animate the journey to the front door, a play of light that changes over time. Yet while the front of the house is relatively sealed to inquisitive eyes, the rear and private portion of the house opens with glass window walls to the outdoors. In classic Mid-Century modem fashion, broad overhangs expand interior space into the outdoors. While not large, the house possesses a generosity in the spaces and “traffic patterns” throughout the house. The layout is well organized and clever, for example, in visually protecting the visitor and user from the car, housed in the carport (another important character-defining feature and exemplary of post-World War II design and budget concerns) that is lined with translucent plastic panels. The house retains its integrity, possesses many of the character-defining features required by this property type under the MPS Registration Requirements, is the work of a master architect. Buff, Straub and Hensman, and exemplifies a high quality of design. The Pike House is therefore eligible to qualify for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C, Architecture and Design, at the local level of significance, with a period of significance of 1958. Significance—Conclusion Argument under Criterion C- Eligible As demonstrated above, the 1958 Pike House by Buff, Straub and Hensman meets the registration requirements as outlined in the MPS. It has retained the respective required aspects of integrity to a high degree both on the exterior and the interior. It is an excellent example of the firm’s body of work in its classic Mid-Century styling, as well as embodying the larger architectural concerns and expressions of Pasadena’s “Recent Pasf’ as described in the Context Statement.'' It is significant as demonstrating innovation in residential Modernism within the period of significance, 1958. Therefore, it is eligible to qualify for listing under Criterion C, Architecture and Design, at the local level of significance, with a period of significance of 1948 - 1968.
Apr 10, 2009
Posted Date
Mar 21, 2022
Historical Record Date
Apr 10, 2009
Source Name
United States Department of Interior - National Park Service
