Esoteric Survey

Jun Kaneko at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix The exhibition includes a series of monumental sculptures by Kaneko. Sun Dial with a Soleri bell The Kaneko  exhibition runs until May 18th

     Western Savings, now Souper Salad (1974)  by Wenceslao Alfonso aka W.A. Sarmiento  The Peruvian-born architect studied under Oscar Niemeyer. I'm sure that's no surprise after seeing his work. W.A. spent much of his career building banks for an outfit with the not so original name of Bank Building & Equipment Corp. of America. He landed the job after getting in a car accident with an architect who worked at the company. Phoenix Financial Center (1964-70) by W.A. Sarmiento  This is at the top of the dome above.  Source:  Recent Past That pot bums me out. The original plan called for two towers. Source: Recent Past Oh well. Source:  Recent Past Sadly, these aren't in use anymore.  Sarmiento designed some great banks. This was in New Jersey.   Banks are so boring now.  Read more about him, here .

I've been to Phoenix a bunch of times but had never been here.   This is Beadle Residence 6, or White Gates, by Al Beadle, 1958. This place is so good.  I'm totally in the Beadle fan club now.   Unfortunately, it's in bad shape.  It is supposedly being restored by the current owner, but it sure doesn't look like it. Read more on Modern Phoenix At one point there was a matching garage.  Period interior shots. Source: Mete The Beadles , by Peter J. Wolf Next door is another Beadle. He also did a Case Study Apartment Building / Traid Apartments for Arts & Architecture.  I'll visit there next time.     An Edward Killingsworth house from 1957 was listed for sale  so I went to check it out.  Apparently, Al Beadle used to live in the house. I can't find any vintage photos, or much information on it at all.  That's what I get  for  lagging on ordering the book ...