After talking to a number of outstanding architects, we selected Candid Rogers to mold our dreams for this great house and turn them into reality.
On his website Candid characterizes architecture as stemming from a "profound sense of optimism. It is the belief that it is possible to make a place on earth that fosters a greater appreciation of life and the environment."
Candid is uniquely well suited for this project. An award winning architect and Lake Flato alum, he has done a wonderful job in Lavaca and elsewhere of melding 1870's architecture with contemporary design, which is our vision for what Bippert-Jud will become. His designs have received recognition from both his peers nationally, but also from those that live and work in the neighborhoods that get to live with his talent.
Candid's personal residence and studio is one-door down from the house. Before Candid purchased his house, I am told, it was the eyesore of the neighborhood. This structure is now striking and has been written up in many publications and recently won recognition at the national American Institute of Architects (AIA) meeting in Boston as one of 15 top projects in the United States. (More on this award to follow.)
In many ways it was Candid that brought Lavaca to our attention as a place to grow future roots. We saw sometime ago an article in the San Antonio Express News about Rincon de Lavaca, a spectacular compound of three single family structures that was being built on Lavaca Street, across the street from Candid's house. He designed the residences and they received much acclaim. We went from admiring them in the article to coming downtown and walking around the project. They are really cool.
Rincon de Lavaca still resonates with me. Every time I turn off of Durango and see the mixture of stucco, cedar, tin, and weathered metals that compose Rincon de Lavaca I realize I am headed into a vibrant and exciting place.
Candid's vision and talents were able to meld a totally contemporary structure into a historical district.
It has been a year and a half or so since we originally knocked on Candid's door to learn more about Lavaca and the potential to develop a unique residence in this community. During the impromptu meeting with Candid, we learned about Marfa, Texas and Candid's second home there.
Marfa, I learned, is this little remote town in West Texas that has become a significant place to view, create, and acquire contemporary art. Despite its remote locale, visitors from all over can be found walking the streets with cowboys and longtime town residents. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, the restaurants are fantastic.
Candid's house, I discovered during my first discovery trip, is well known as one of the outstanding examples of contemporary architecture in the area. A number of the art galleries told me they send visitors interested in area architecture out to his place.
During the Marfa "road trip," I had a chance to tour Candid's house and that of Beto Isunza, a fellow architect that lives and works in Lavaca, and also has a great contemporary weekend home next to Candid's.
Candid's place is an incredible use of space and creativity at 320 square feet. The AIA evidently agreed in that Candid won another one of the 15 national AIA awards for this residence, too.
Here is a picture of his getaway.
We believe we selected the best person for the project, and as you learn more about what he designed I am sure you will agree.
