Saturday, February 27, 2010

Pasadena Heritage Presents: Buff & Hensman The Art of Modernism: A Drive-yourself House Tour Sunday, March 28, 2010 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.


Tickets go on sale March 1st

Pasadena, CA – Pasadena Heritage presents Buff & Hensman -  The Art of Modernism, a drive-yourself tour of six beautiful, privately-owned residences designed by these Pasadena-based Case Study House program architects. Conrad Buff and Donald Hensman had remarkable careers that started during their time together as students at USC’s School of Architecture in Los Angeles and continued until Conrad’s death in 1988. Cal Straub and Dennis Smith were principals of the famous firm at intervals, and their combined contribution to California Modernism is unparalleled.

Featured residences on the tour will include the 1954 John Norton House which is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated contributor to the Laguna Road Landmark District. The Alvaro Bea House of 1957 was studied by Dennis Smith while he was an architectural student. He later was involved in two phases of renovations and restoration. Dennis Smith will be available to answer questions during the tour at the 1983 Dunn House where he was the principal architect.

Also open for visits will be the Thompson/Moseley House, designed in 1959 by Buff, Straub and Hensman. This house has the unique distinction of winning two Merit Awards, in 1960 and 1992, from the Pasadena Foothill Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (A.I.A.). The Rabinovitz House was uniquely designed to incorporate a 1920’s cottage on the existing property. Don Hensman’s last design project in 1999 was the Moseley House. Alex Moseley will be on site to talk about the unique design of his home and to share stories of his longtime friendship with Conrad Buff and Don Hensman.

Guests will drive themselves to the featured houses where docent-guided tours will be ongoing between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm., rain or shine.  We suggest 5 hours to complete the tour.  Tickets go on sale March 1.  Advance ticket prices are $36 for the general public and $32 for Pasadena Heritage members.  Tickets on the day of the tour are $40. Tickets can be purchased over the phone at (626) 441-6333 or online at www.pasadenaheritage.org

The event is sponsored by The Capital Group Companies & the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau.