The Maple Ridge Poolhouse

It's another Mod of the Moment!

Photo courtesy of Northeast Oklahoma Real Estate Services

If you've seen this house you don't quickly forget it. Reactions are polar- you either love it or hate it. Never in between. And thanks to Modern Tulsa you can drop in and form your own opinion this Sunday!

Mod of the Moment
March 6, 2011
4:00 to 6:00 PM
1220 E. 21st Place

The home, known as the Scherbatskoy house, began life as a typical Maple Ridge home from the Twenties. It appears in the book One Hundred More Historic Tulsa Homes, where John Brooks Walton calls the chapter How a Swimming Pool Designed a House.

In 1957 the owners asked Robert Buchner to design a natatorium and integrate it into the east side of the house. A few months later fire partially destroyed the roof of the original house- so Buchner was called in again. The final result is a distinctive swimming pool with a house attached!

For more details on the event, the organizers or who the heck Robert Buchner is visit Modern Tulsa.

Go here for listing information...

Comments

tikigirl42 said…

I love this house, I use to walk by it on my many walks around town.

July 12, 2011 at 12:17 PM

JRB said…

Sad news.

Just got word today that it's rubble.

March 1, 2012 at 1:03 PM

Home of ORU Architect on the Auction Block

Frank Wallace is best known as the man behind the futuristic look of the Oral Roberts University campus. On October 14, 2010 his unique home overlooking ORU will be sold in a public auction conducted by Mister Ed's Auctions. Jackie and I recently had a chance to visit with Mr. Wallace and learn more about the house, his career and his thoughts on architecture.

When we visited we expected to snap a few photos of an empty house and speak with a representative from the auction company. To our surprise the door opened, and we were greeted by Mr. Wallace himself! After assuring him we were not architects, he let us look around. Unfortunately we were not prepared to interview the man whose buildings incite such extremely diverse reactions- but that didn't stop me from asking him several questions anyway.

The home, completed in 1980, was designed and built by Wallace who is now 87. The expansive home is so large that Wallace spends most of his time in a room that was his late w…

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Futuristic Acorn Hull House

Today the sign out front says "Acorn Hull House."

I've also heard it called the Zebco House (aka Zero Electric Bomb Company, an oilfield business that later became a famous maker of fishing reels). The rumor goes it was built for a Zebco executive and designed in the shape of a fishing reel. From above the home does have the shape of a fishing reel- as in round- but beyond that I don't really see that much resemblance.

I have no idea if the fishing reel story is true, or who designed the circular abode. Here's an aerial view from Google Maps- click to enlarge the image and see if you think it looks more like an acorn or a fishing reel...

It definitely has the look of a Frank Wallace design with that Klingon inspired skylight. But the Tiki-esque look also suggests a Blaine Imel. No matter who is to responsible, they did a great job creating a unique and fascinating exterior. Now if we can just get a tour of the inside!

This unusual house is located off US-412 near …

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