tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post3850720895611112201..comments2024-03-28T06:17:06.977-05:00Comments on MARTHA MOMENTS: Remembering: The Bunshaft HouseANDREW RITCHIEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-22495670465196335002021-04-04T14:14:40.621-05:002021-04-04T14:14:40.621-05:00In the Mid 1960s I had a temporary job at SOM, I w...In the Mid 1960s I had a temporary job at SOM, I was their company driver while their regular driver was on sick leave. If I had the car out at 5 PM I would sometimes drive Mr Bunshaft home, upper east side. His apartment was finished with travertine. If there is one strong memory I have of my months at SOM it was Bunshaft's love of travertine. To this day if I see a limestone or marble wall I take a closer look. I had no training in art or architecture, but I had done a lot of cave exploring so I was well acquainted with what water can do to limestone. To me travertine seemed like the most inappropriate material for building a house or commercial building. It was obvious that water could seep into the rock and would continue to dissolve it. And more immediately dirty water would seep in, and there may be no easy way to clean it! <br />So when I discovered today that his home was the Bunshaft travertine House I thought, Oh my God, he really was in love with that stuff! I could see that Mr. Bunshaft was the head honcho at SOM, this was still the days of white shirts and ties at work, and yes sir no sir as the only answers to any question. The SOM NY office was just across the street from Lever House, which I was sure even then was no accident. It was like a sculptor having his office across the street from the Lincoln Memorial. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14803351600187860930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-23640442602461763922021-03-01T10:21:32.747-05:002021-03-01T10:21:32.747-05:00@dseftel The contract with MOMA was perfectly legi...@dseftel The contract with MOMA was perfectly legitimate. Martha and Alexis actually did a great deal to preserve the architectural integrity of the building and ensure its legacy. It was her neighbor, Harry Macklowe, who drove the Stewarts away from the property with his tirades and relentless ordinances. The new property owner, Donald Maharam was to blame for the home's complete destruction. ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-58766465995784441252021-02-24T17:07:09.582-05:002021-02-24T17:07:09.582-05:00I met Gordon Bunshaft in 1985 at MOMA. He was one ...I met Gordon Bunshaft in 1985 at MOMA. He was one of the greats. Looks like Martha sold the home to her daughter to get out of the contract with MOMA. This happens all the time and should be illegal. These contracts of donation to an organization such as MOMA or to a city such as Palm Beach in the Mar a Lago case should be for perpetuity. Masterpieces such as these will never be rebuilt. Can't trust Martha Stewart.<br />dseftelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-38990865747095336362019-02-24T15:50:54.243-05:002019-02-24T15:50:54.243-05:00Back in the mid 80's, I lived in a house in Po...Back in the mid 80's, I lived in a house in Pound Ridge, New York. Gordon Bunshaft designed it for Bill Neeley in 1955 and it was completed in 1957. It was a classic example of 50's modern design. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14280765586932104174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-60795830377477686892016-05-28T08:56:01.768-05:002016-05-28T08:56:01.768-05:00Sorry can't help you there.Sorry can't help you there.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-89788927364582520672016-05-27T11:02:27.858-05:002016-05-27T11:02:27.858-05:00I am speaking about the actually builder blueprint...I am speaking about the actually builder blueprints, the plans the contractors would have used to construct the house for Bunshaft. TommyAlanRaineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316423961852833670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-18695247715352965142016-05-27T10:38:42.761-05:002016-05-27T10:38:42.761-05:00Yes, Tommy, I've added a photo of the plans in...Yes, Tommy, I've added a photo of the plans in the post.ANDREW RITCHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07527048900781045398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-889225152154164222016-05-25T10:45:16.071-05:002016-05-25T10:45:16.071-05:00Do the Architectural plans for the home still exis...Do the Architectural plans for the home still exist? TommyAlanRaineshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316423961852833670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-5555847717236255062015-08-30T11:14:35.422-05:002015-08-30T11:14:35.422-05:00There is a book about Bunshaft, although it is rar...There is a book about Bunshaft, although it is rare. http://www.amazon.com/Bunshaft-Skidmore-Merrill-Architectural-Foundation/dp/0262111306<br /><br />I thought that Martha Steward hired John Pawson to do the renovation.<br /><br />Kenneth CaldwellKenneth Caldwell https://www.blogger.com/profile/04605687731295733093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-18037309198542609082013-11-16T22:24:18.591-05:002013-11-16T22:24:18.591-05:00I am writing a paper about Bunshaft's Hirshhor...I am writing a paper about Bunshaft's Hirshhorn Museum, and I was unpleasantly surprised that there is no one book, ONE, about his work. Nothing! I went to DC and went through all books stores in National Mall. Workers, completely confused: "What is Hirshhorn?" So sad...Sofija Kaljevicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-53566058504043959542013-08-29T05:26:13.656-05:002013-08-29T05:26:13.656-05:00The Emhart Building and this one. When I (I'm ...The Emhart Building and this one. When I (I'm swiss) visited New York last year, nobody at he AIA 'store', nobody even knew Bunshaft! And I actually travelled from Europe to NY just to see those buildings. I think we have a serious cultural problem here. I consider Bunshaft to be one of the most underrated architects. We have to make shure, that the Manufacturers Trust Building at 5th in New York won't be torn down as well.Alexander Maierhttp://www.maierhess.chnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23768882.post-20227414554799297052013-05-17T05:46:43.715-05:002013-05-17T05:46:43.715-05:00Much to remember hereMuch to remember hereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com