Friday, May 23, 2008

Philip Johnson

Gallery_107001_2   Regular tours of Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan are sold out again for the 2008 season! However, private and patron tours at $500 and $1,000 a person are still available. Click here.
When the famous home of the architect first opened to the public last summer, News 12 Connecticut Photographer Lori Golias and I got a sneak preview. Click here for that blog on the Glass House and a tour of some of Philip Johnson's famous New York City buildings.
However, during my recent trip to Houston, Texas, for Mother's Day, I couldn't get Philip Johnson off my mind. One of the first buildings that caught my eye as we drove towards downtown was Johnson's Republic Bank Center(now Bank of America.) It's across the street from Johnson's Pennzoil Place. Click on pictures to enlarge.
Sesquicentennial Park Bank of America Pennzoil Place BuildingsPennzoil Place
Johnson is also known in Houston for the Transco Tower (Now Williams Tower) and Water Wall in the Uptown District.
transco-tower-2aTransco Tower p5140137Water Walltransco-tower-1a
Students in Houston may be familiar with Philip Johnson. He did the campus of St. Thomas, including the Chapel of St. Basil. There is also a Philip Johnson monument at St. Thomas.
Shining StarSt. ThomasTheology of the Chapel and its Architectural ElementsChapel of St. Basil
U_of_h
Philip Johnson made his first mark in Houston with the  de Menil house in 1950,the same year he completed the Mrs. John D. Rockefeller House III Guest House on Manhattan's east side and one year after his Glass House.
Ready for another Philip Johnson TEXAS TOUR? Next stop: Dallas/Ft. Worth.
The JFK Memorial, Dallas, Texas JFK Memorial Crescent Hotel Crescent Hotel
Thanksgivinglogo
Bankone2Thanksgiving Square, Dallas (far left)
Comerica Bank Tower 
Below: Fort Worth Water Gardens and Amon Carter Museum. 
        Ft Worth Water Gardens entrance        Amon Carter Museum of Western Art in Ft Worth                        
I hope you enjoyed your tours. This way, when you visit the Glass House, you'll have a good idea of Johnson's style. What you can do in New Canaan is visit the Glass House visitors center. It's right across from the train station.

Comments


Wanda

Thank you, Heather. I enjoyed my tours.
In 1972-73, used to walk through the campus of St Thomas for lunch and then back to work.

trent

Perillo Tours look out!
Heather, you're the best: )
Thank you for this wonderful tour
not to mention it was free!!

Angelo and Domenica

Ms. Heather . I am glad to write you for I was sick. my loving wife thouo always show me your writing and it to me much happines when I was not feeling good. I watch in the mornings the news also.
I someday will like to see these buildings in Texas but now I enjoy as you show me on my computer. Thank you. Happiness on this Memorial day.
ciao ciao

bill and sandy

Thanks for the tour.
So, tell us....whats the guitar that's
sticking up from the roof of the "short" building in the BankAmerica building photo? Sandy is tellin me "bill, there's a guitar cut& pasted into the pic" and I'm snappin back "no way dolly" ...but after a closer look, I see THERE IS a guitar & its REAL!
You've GOTTA fill us in on this one Heather because our curiostiy is drivin us crazy.
Is it a Guitar factory?

Wanda

The guitar is for Hard Rock Cafe.
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