Esoteric Survey

Travelstead Hall (1963) at University of New Mexico by Max Flatow , Moore, Bryan and Fairburn 1963 Source: Albuquerque Modernism A detailed write up on the building can be found at  Albuquerque Modernism .

I was digging around for architecture spots to visit in New Mexico and saw a mention of a project by Harry Weese. There aren't too many of his projects west of the Mississippi, so it was nice to get to see one in person. I did get to visit a church he designed in Columbus, Indiana, here .  Built in 1972, First Plaza is located in downtown Albuquerque. Source: New Mexico Architecture, December 1975 via UNM Here it is, Albuquerque's tribute to precast concrete. It's a shopping center that, like most these days, has a lot of vacancies.   Many of the shops are/were located downstairs and these skylights provide natural light. Source: Film ABQ The windows  The plant didn't let me check out the bottom level.

The Blue Cross Building, Albuquerque. Designed by Ferguson, Stevens, Mallory and Pearl, Architects in 1954. The cross pattern concrete walls were a nice design element.   Source: Architecture in New Mexico via UNM Blue Cross is long gone, but the cross blocks are still there. The glass facade and wall are gone too.  It's also been adobe-ized!

The Kelvin Home (also known as the Raabe House or Kelvinator), 1938 by William Burk, Jr. in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The house was built for local hardware store owner, Walter Raabe. Influenced by Le Corbusier and architecture seen at the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair, he commissioned Burk, an instructor at the University of New Mexico, to design an International Style modern machine for living. The house also incorporated Kelvin appliances, which Raabe sold in his shop. Hence, the nickname.  Sharon Karpinski put together a wonderful case study on the house, which can be seen at  Albuquerque Modernism . It's what led me to the house.  I was able to dig up some newspaper articles on the house and The Raabe & Mauger Hardware ad explains it all. There were several articles and ads promoting all aspects of the "ultra modern home." Source: Albuquerque Journal, 1938  Source: Albuquerque Journal, 1938  Advertised as the "Ho...

I stayed at a geodesic dome home in Santa Fe. The architect built the dome in 1979 for his parents. It is constructed of two thin layers of concrete over a steel frame.  The passive solar design with what seems like incredible insulation made for a toasty stay. That's coming from a thin-skinned San Diegan who is not used to 30 degree temperatures.  Dome door

Crossroads Motel on Central Ave  (formerly Route 66)  in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1966 Postcard with the Route 66 sign in the median. The route was decommissioned in 1985. Central Avenue is a pretty great time capsule of roadside businesses that serviced the historic highway.  The motel was known as the "The Crystal Palace"  in Breaking Bad .  The reviews of the hotel are interesting. It seems like if you're not a Breaking bad fan, it's a dump.  The pool looks a little sketchy. Central Avenue had been under construction for quite some time. They were working on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit ( ART ) bus line. People were up in arms about about the project when I was there last year. It's done now and it looks like a lot of new investment is going into the area. Albuquerque Boys Club (1954). A pretty interesting triple quonset. Albuquerque is a little rough around the edges, but I like it. Pho...