West Seattle architecture: Tour 3 modern homes this Saturday

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Just got word of this: A modern-architecture group called Docomomo WEWA has a home tour in West Seattle this Saturday:

You’ll visit three mid-century modern homes that demonstrate the creative work of one architect, Arnold Gangnes (1918 – 2003), who was known for his innovative designs for modern dwellings and later for large scale non-residential and institutional projects. Included on the tour is Gangnes’s own house built in 1948.

The event is a self-guided driving/walking tour. Two of the residences are next door to each other. The third home is reachable by car, bike or a nice long walk.

The tour hours are 11 am-2 pm, and there’s a $10/person (cash or check) fee. Check in at 5054 SW Grayson (county archive photo above; here’s a map) to get a tour booklet and map; organizers also want you to know that (a) you’ll have to take off your shoes at each home and (b) only exterior photography will be allowed.

4thGenWestSide October 2, 2012 (7:19 pm)

Seems a little pricey.

A October 2, 2012 (7:49 pm)

I agree. Where does the money go? I loved when the SWHS used to do the homes with history tour. I wish they would do it again.

WSB October 2, 2012 (8:26 pm)

This group is a nonprofit group – you can follow the link to their name if you want to find out more about them. I hadn’t heard of them but the person who forwarded this to us is someone I have interviewed before through her work with a major group here in town; this is not associated with that, though. This is published strictly as an FYI in case anyone is interested. Nonprofits have precious few chances to raise money for even the simplest of things. – TR

Desertdweller October 2, 2012 (8:45 pm)

Docomomo is a national organization dedicated to preserving modern architecture. Through the group I was able to tour one of Western Washington’s three Frank Lloyd Wright homes last year, which was amazing.

The organization sponsors many architecture-related events throughout the year. So many modernist buildings are in danger of being razed and this group is one of the only advocates out there!

Margaret in Vashon October 2, 2012 (9:13 pm)

I think I will come over for this! Much more interesting for me than chicken coops, and that tour was $25!

William October 3, 2012 (7:38 am)

This is great. I’m glad Docomomo is putting this on. Preserving our mid-century architecture is important and $10 is a couple of lattes with tip, for crying out loud!

Desertdweller October 3, 2012 (11:30 am)

It’s especially important to have advocates for modern architecture given this morning’s news of a Frank Lloyd Wright house that may be destroyed to build McMansions.

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