This Thursday evening the modnauts from the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture (TFA) will be hosting a free open house: Meet Modern Tulsa. Modern Tulsa Gems: can you name them all? The Modern Tulsa group is a part of the TFA that focuses on Tulsa's more recent architectural past. The movers and shakers of this intrepid group (including yours truly) have selected some juicy bits of Tulsa mod from the extensive archive of architectural drawings, photographs and ephemera in TFA's collection. This is a chance for people outside the preservation and architectural communities to learn more about Modern Tulsa, and the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. On display will be architectural drawings, photographs and video of historical building and homes from the heyday of postwar design. Refreshments will also be provided. The event is free and open to the public. Meet Modern Tulsa Thursday, August 26, 2010 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM Kennedy Building, 321 S. Boston map
On the Trail of Julius Shulman: Stop 2 "This is a bank," the sign outside the futuristic building read. According to legend a prankster added a strategic question mark and echoed the sentiment of many passers-by: "This is a bank?" That was back in 1964 when it opened. Today the Arvest on Lincoln Boulevard looks a bit less Jetsonian, mostly due to replacement of structural glass below the "saucers," but it's still an unusual bank. Designed by Robert Roloff of the architectural firm Bailey, Bozalis, Dickinson & Roloff, the State Capitol Bank caused quite a stir in Oklahoma City when it opened. Heck, it's still pretty shocking today! Originally the flying saucers appeared to hover above the building (as seen in this vintage postcard). All the glass that made that effect possible also made heating and cooling an expensive proposition. Security concerns also mandated replacement of those windows with solid materials and small square portholes