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The Bavingers moved into the house in February 1955, and ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine featured the house in its September 19, 1955 issue.<ref> {{cite news | title = Space and Saucer House: Oklahoma family lives in suspension in a unique new structure | date = September 19, 1955 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=t1YEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA155 | work = [[Life (magazine)|LIFE]] | pages = 155–156 }}</ref> Despite its remote location, the house became an attraction; the Bavingers first tried to limit visitors by charging a dollar per guest. ''Life'' reported that the tours had yielded over $4,000, and eventually (according to Goff) they raised over $50,000 before finally deciding they didn't want to be disturbed by the constant flow of guests.<ref>Philip Welch, ''Goff on Goff: Conversations and Lectures'' ([[University of Oklahoma Press]], 1996), ISBN 978-0-8061-2868-9), pp.193–94. [http://books.google.com/books?id=eN2unWMmsgYC&lpg=PA271&ots=DeW5i_-FP_&dq=goff%20on%20goff%20welch&pg=PA193 Excerpts available] at [[Google Books]].</ref>
The Bavingers moved into the house in February 1955, and ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine featured the house in its September 19, 1955 issue.<ref> {{cite news | title = Space and Saucer House: Oklahoma family lives in suspension in a unique new structure | date = September 19, 1955 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=t1YEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA155 | work = [[Life (magazine)|LIFE]] | pages = 155–156 }}</ref> Despite its remote location, the house became an attraction; the Bavingers first tried to limit visitors by charging a dollar per guest. ''Life'' reported that the tours had yielded over $4,000, and eventually (according to Goff) they raised over $50,000 before finally deciding they didn't want to be disturbed by the constant flow of guests.<ref>Philip Welch, ''Goff on Goff: Conversations and Lectures'' ([[University of Oklahoma Press]], 1996), ISBN 978-0-8061-2868-9), pp.193–94. [http://books.google.com/books?id=eN2unWMmsgYC&lpg=PA271&ots=DeW5i_-FP_&dq=goff%20on%20goff%20welch&pg=PA193 Excerpts available] at [[Google Books]].</ref>


The house later deteriorated and was vacant for more than a decade before it was reported in 2008 that the house would be renovated and reopened for tours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.normantranscript.com/columns/local_story_328025808/resources_printstory|title=Foundation hopes to restore and open Bavinger House for tours|date=November 23, 2008|work=The Norman Transcript|accessdate=2009-08-13}}</ref> According to press reports, fundraising efforts ran into difficulties.<ref name="Gazette"/><ref name="Cobb"> {{cite news | first = Russell | last = Cobb | title = Continuous Present | date = November 21, 2011 | url = http://thislandpress.com/11/21/2011/continuous-present/?read=complete | work = [[This Land Press|This Land]] | accessdate = 2013-02-25}}</ref> In June 2011, after a windstorm in the area, it was reported that the house had been severely damaged, with its central spire broken at a 45-degree angle.<ref name="Gazette">{{cite news|title = Tearin' Down the House?|url=http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-12199-tearin%E2%80%99-down-the-house.html|work = [[Oklahoma Gazette]] | date = June 29, 2011 |accessdate=September 3, 2001}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | title = Gunfire Greets News 9 Crew at Norman's Bavinger House | date = June 21, 2011 | url = http://www.news9.com/story/14952275/gunfire-greets-news-9-crew-at-normans-bavinger-house | work = [[KWTV]] | accessdate = 2011-06-23}}</ref> The official website for the house stated that the house "will not be able to re-open",<ref name="Cobb"/><ref> {{cite news | first = Andy | last = Rieger | title = Bavinger House’s future uncertain | date = June 22, 2011 | url = http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x1521798676/Bavinger-House-s-future-uncertain | work = [[The Norman Transcript]] | accessdate = 2011-06-23}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | first = Richard | last = Mize | title = Bruce Goff-designed Bavinger House in Norman apparently has met its demise | date = June 23, 2011 | url = http://newsok.com/bruce-goff-designed-bavinger-house-in-norman-apparently-has-met-its-demise/article/3579645#ixzz1Q6x4RbNm | work = [[The Oklahoman]] | accessdate = 2011-06-23}}</ref><ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.thebavingerhouse.org | title = The Bavinger House official website | accessdate = 2013-02-25 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20110728092644/http://thebavingerhouse.org/ | archivedate = 28 July 2011 | quote = Closed due to storm damage . . . Due to severe storm damage we will not be able to re-open}}</ref> which was later changed to "Closed Permanently" and in August 2012 stated "The House will never return under its current political situation". The official site no longer exists.<ref>[http://www.thebavingerhouse.org/ Bavinger House official website]. Retrieved 2012-08-21.{{deadlink|date=February 2013}}</ref>
The house later deteriorated and was vacant for more than a decade before it was reported in 2008 that the house would be renovated and reopened for tours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.normantranscript.com/columns/local_story_328025808/resources_printstory|title=Foundation hopes to restore and open Bavinger House for tours|date=November 23, 2008|work=The Norman Transcript|accessdate=2009-08-13}}</ref> According to press reports, fundraising efforts ran into difficulties.<ref name="Gazette"/><ref name="Cobb"> {{cite news | first = Russell | last = Cobb | title = Continuous Present | date = November 21, 2011 | url = http://thislandpress.com/11/21/2011/continuous-present/?read=complete | work = [[This Land Press|This Land]] | accessdate = 2013-02-25}}</ref> In June 2011, after a windstorm in the area, it was reported that the house had been severely damaged, with its central spire broken at a 45-degree angle.<ref name="Gazette">{{cite news|title = Tearin' Down the House?|url=http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-12199-tearin%E2%80%99-down-the-house.html|work = [[Oklahoma Gazette]] | date = June 29, 2011 |accessdate=September 3, 2001}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | title = Gunfire Greets News 9 Crew at Norman's Bavinger House | date = June 21, 2011 | url = http://www.news9.com/story/14952275/gunfire-greets-news-9-crew-at-normans-bavinger-house | work = [[KWTV]] | accessdate = 2011-06-23}}</ref> The official website for the house stated that the house "will not be able to re-open",<ref name="Cobb"/><ref> {{cite news | first = Andy | last = Rieger | title = Bavinger House’s future uncertain | date = June 22, 2011 | url = http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x1521798676/Bavinger-House-s-future-uncertain | work = [[The Norman Transcript]] | accessdate = 2011-06-23}}</ref><ref> {{cite news | first = Richard | last = Mize | title = Bruce Goff-designed Bavinger House in Norman apparently has met its demise | date = June 23, 2011 | url = http://newsok.com/bruce-goff-designed-bavinger-house-in-norman-apparently-has-met-its-demise/article/3579645#ixzz1Q6x4RbNm | work = [[The Oklahoman]] | accessdate = 2011-06-23}}</ref><ref> {{cite web | url = http://www.thebavingerhouse.org | title = The Bavinger House official website | accessdate = 2013-02-25 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20110728092644/http://thebavingerhouse.org/ | archivedate = 28 July 2011 | quote = Closed due to storm damage . . . Due to severe storm damage we will not be able to re-open}}</ref> which was later changed to "Closed Permanently" and in August 2012 stated "The House will never return under its current political situation". The official site no longer exists.<ref>[http://www.thebavingerhouse.org/ Bavinger House official website]. Retrieved 2012-08-21. {{wayback|url=http://www.thebavingerhouse.org/ |date=20110728092644 }}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==

Revision as of 23:50, 28 January 2016

Eugene Bavinger House
Front of the house
Bavinger House is located in Oklahoma
Bavinger House
Location730 60th Ave., NE, Norman, Oklahoma
Built1950
ArchitectGoff, Bruce
Architectural styleOrganic
MPSBruce Goff Designed Resources in Oklahoma MPS
NRHP reference No.01001354[1]
Added to NRHPDecember 13, 2001

The Bavinger House was completed in 1955 in Norman, Oklahoma, United States. It was designed by architect Bruce Goff. Considered a significant example of organic architecture,[2][3] the house was awarded the Twenty-five Year Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1987.[4]

History

The house was built over the course of five years by Nancy and Eugene Bavinger, the residents of the house, who were artists, along with the help of a few of Eugene's art students, volunteers, and local businesses.

The Bavingers moved into the house in February 1955, and Life magazine featured the house in its September 19, 1955 issue.[5] Despite its remote location, the house became an attraction; the Bavingers first tried to limit visitors by charging a dollar per guest. Life reported that the tours had yielded over $4,000, and eventually (according to Goff) they raised over $50,000 before finally deciding they didn't want to be disturbed by the constant flow of guests.[6]

The house later deteriorated and was vacant for more than a decade before it was reported in 2008 that the house would be renovated and reopened for tours.[7] According to press reports, fundraising efforts ran into difficulties.[8][9] In June 2011, after a windstorm in the area, it was reported that the house had been severely damaged, with its central spire broken at a 45-degree angle.[8][10] The official website for the house stated that the house "will not be able to re-open",[9][11][12][13] which was later changed to "Closed Permanently" and in August 2012 stated "The House will never return under its current political situation". The official site no longer exists.[14]

Architecture

The wall of the house is a 96-foot long logarithmically curved spiral, made from 200 tons of local "ironrock" sandstone dynamited (by Eugene) from a piece of purchased farmland near Robin Hill School, a few miles away from the house and hauled back on Eugene's 48 Chevy flatbed truck. The structure was anchored by a recycled oil field drill stem that was reused to make a central mast more than 55 feet high. The house has no interior walls; instead there are a series of platforms at different heights, some with curtains that can be drawn for privacy. The ground floor is covered with pools and planted areas.[2][15][16][17][18]

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b Form prepared by Arn Henderson. National Register of Historic Places nomination form for Resources Designed by Bruce Goff in Oklahoma. Accessed May 6, 2015.
  3. ^ Philip, Steadman (1979). The Evolution of Designs: Biological Analogy in Architecture and the Applied Arts. Taylor & Francis. p. 239. ISBN 978-0-415-44752-2. Excerpts available at Google Books.
  4. ^ Webb, Michael (June 2005). "Saving Bruce Goff". The Architectural Review. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  5. ^ "Space and Saucer House: Oklahoma family lives in suspension in a unique new structure". LIFE. September 19, 1955. pp. 155–156.
  6. ^ Philip Welch, Goff on Goff: Conversations and Lectures (University of Oklahoma Press, 1996), ISBN 978-0-8061-2868-9), pp.193–94. Excerpts available at Google Books.
  7. ^ "Foundation hopes to restore and open Bavinger House for tours". The Norman Transcript. November 23, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Tearin' Down the House?". Oklahoma Gazette. June 29, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2001.
  9. ^ a b Cobb, Russell (November 21, 2011). "Continuous Present". This Land. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  10. ^ "Gunfire Greets News 9 Crew at Norman's Bavinger House". KWTV. June 21, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  11. ^ Rieger, Andy (June 22, 2011). "Bavinger House's future uncertain". The Norman Transcript. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  12. ^ Mize, Richard (June 23, 2011). "Bruce Goff-designed Bavinger House in Norman apparently has met its demise". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  13. ^ "The Bavinger House official website". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2013. Closed due to storm damage . . . Due to severe storm damage we will not be able to re-open
  14. ^ Bavinger House official website. Retrieved 2012-08-21. Template:Wayback
  15. ^ Barry, Edward (January 6, 1957). "It's SOMEBODY'S Dream House: Oklahoma Couple Are Happy in a Home Which Is Like Nothing on Land or Sea FAMILY Living". Chicago Tribune. p. H23. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  16. ^ Lobban, Lynette (Spring 2002). "Goff's Historic Houses: The talk of the town when first constructed, the signature works of a master architect are being added to the National Register". Sooner Magazine. Archived from the original on May 23, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Bavinger House". GreatBuildings.com. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  18. ^ "Bavinger House (Norman, USA)". strangebuildings.com. February 24, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2011.[unreliable source?]
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