SARASOTA – If you truly appreciate Mid-Century Modern architecture, the Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) offers you a unique opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. The foundation’s fifth annual SarasotaMOD Weekend, November 9-11, includes a special benefit auction that features overnight stays in three private homes designed by Paul Rudolph, a giant of 20th-century architecture who designed more structures in Sarasota than anywhere else in the world.
“We are thrilled to provide this firsthand opportunity – never before offered – to intimately engage with three of Paul Rudolph’s most important residential structures,” said Christopher S. Wilson, PhD, Chairman of the Board, Sarasota Architectural Foundation. “Spending the night in any of these privately owned homes is a must for the discerning cultural traveler seeking amazing experiences.”
The auction features the following unique architectural experiences and a special archival print. Bids can be made online at https://www.sarasotamod.com/auction/ from now through 11:55pm Sunday, November 11.
• An overnight experience at the Umbrella House (1953). Staying in the renowned Umbrella House, described by Architectural Digest as “One of the five most remarkable houses of the mid-twentieth century,” can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In 1953, Lido Shores developer Philip Hiss hired architect Paul Rudolph to create what became one of the 20th century’s most iconic houses. The dominant feature of the house, the aptly named “umbrella,” was originally built of wood and used to shade the house from the intense Florida sun but finally was lost in a storm in the 1960’s. The full umbrella over the pool was restored to exacting standards in 2015 by Hall Architects, receiving the 2016 Florida Trust Outstanding Award, 2016 Florida AIA Honor Award and the 2016 Florida Gulf Coast Chapter AIA Honor Award.
• An overnight experience at the Cocoon House (1950). Ralph Twitchell and Paul Rudolph’s historic 1950 Healy Guest House is also known as Cocoon House. Located on Bayou Louise Lane on Siesta Key, Cocoon House is a two-bedroom, one-bath, 760-square-foot cottage built as a guesthouse for Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Healy. The house gets its name from the technology used to build its roof: a polymer spray that Paul Rudolph saw being used at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on warships returning after WWII in order to “cocoon” or moth-ball them. Rudolph’s creativity made him realize that this material could also be used in the construction industry. The Cocoon House was named “Best House Design of the Year” from the AIA in 1949; selected by MoMA New York as one of 19 examples of houses built since WWII that were “pioneers of design” in 1953; and locally designated as a historic property by the City of Sarasota in 1985.
• An overnight experience at the Revere Quality House (1948). Following World War II, America had GIs returning from overseas needing affordable housing. Revere Copper and Brass Inc. and Architectural Forum magazine sponsored a competition by which architects were challenged to design innovative homes that utilized a variety of building materials − including Revere Company copper. Twitchell and Rudolph designed a 1000 sq. ft. house that was built with the new Lamolithic monolithic concrete construction system and included a copper stove hood and copper fireplace made with Revere copper. The house fell into disrepair and was initially restored in 2007, along with the construction of a new companion house designed by Guy Peterson of Guy Peterson Office of Architecture and Pat Ball of Ball Construction. The Revere Quality House was further restored to exacting standards by the current owner in 2017.
• Artwork. A stunningly framed archival pigment print of the Cocoon House, signed by artist John Pirman, is included in the SAF auction. This 30in x 30in piece of artwork will hold the test of time with inks that won’t fade so that the timeless piece can be enjoyed for years.
Each of the overnight stays is for two people and includes cocktails and dinner at the house on the night of the stay and breakfast the next morning. Homeowners and SAF board members will be on hand to host the dinner and orient the guests to the property.
Funds from the auction will benefit SAF’s programs that educate about, advocate for, and celebrate the legacy of the Sarasota School of Architecture Movement. For a detailed schedule of Sarasota MODWeekend and ticket purchases, go to www.SarasotaMOD.com
The Sarasota Architectural Foundation (SAF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that educates, advocates, and celebrates on behalf of the Sarasota School of Architecture’s significant contributions to midcentury American architecture. For more information, visit saf-srg.org.
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