Here's a little news from "south of the border" for all you mod-lovin' Okies. This weekend there's a home tour in the White Rock Lake area of Dallas. This is the fifth year for this event and most of the homes are Mid-Century Modern. Hours are noon to 5:00 pm on both days and advance tickets are available at area merchants. White Rock Home Tour April 24-25, 2010 Dallas, TX Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the event. More information on the homes, sponsors and tour details are available online at www.whiterockhometour.org If that whets your appetite you might also want to know about the Ju-Nel Homes exhibit at the Dallas Center for Architecture . These homes, designed by Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson, are considered modernist jewels. This exhibit kicks off in conjunction with the White Rock Lake event because many of the houses on the tour are Ju-Nel homes. Ju-Nel Homes: Dallas Jewels of Mid-Century Modernism April 23-May 28, 2010 Dallas Center for
The Church of Tomorrow Oklahoma's state capitol dome was added some 88 years after the capitol was built, finally completed in 2002. But not far away is another dome that has been turning heads since 1956. It's the First Christian Church of Oklahoma City. Call it a wigwam, igloo, earthbound spaceship or dome- no matter how you describe the shape of the sanctuary, it's definitely eye-catching. The thin-shell concrete dome is massive, with seating for 1200. Connected to the dome is a four-story administrative building and a 185-seat theater. Dedicated as "The First Christian Church of Tomorrow," the architecture caught the attention of local newspapers, as well as Life magazine (Feb. 1957). Last summer I had a unique opportunity to explore these interesting buildings. The main complex was designed by R. Duane Conner in 1953. Conner was a member of the congregation and offered three different designs for the church. Credit is also attributed to his partner, Fr