Texas Modern
David Williams desired to combine the modernism of Europe with the indigenous qualities of Texas to create a Texas modern style that reflected Texas the way Frank Lloyd Wright created the Prairie style to reflect modernism in the Midwest. David Williams claimed O’Neil Ford was his greatest contribution to architecture. O’Neil Ford became the mentor to Frank Welch and many of Dallas’ finest architects continuing to incorporate and reinterpret design elements O’Neil Ford introduced.
Texas Modern Homes
Architect Designed Modern Home in Preston Hollow
Max Levy designed this Texas Modern home in Preston Hollow with gabled roofs and front porches that reflect Texas. The deft design of the trellis over the front porch creates patterns of shadows and sunlight creating a delightful transition from the ample front garden of the Preston Hollow home to the interior of this modern home.
- Neighborhood: Kelsey Square
- Architect: Max Levy
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
Texas Modern Home for Sale – Sold by Douglas Newby
Architect Scott Lyons enhanced a magical setting with a Texas Modern home that is thrust into nature with close and distant views in three directions of trees, gardens, a wide spring-fed creek and pond, and a twelve-acre private garden that is meticulously groomed and blooming.
- Neighborhood: Mayflower Estates
- Architect: Scott Lyons
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.53
- Living Area: 8208
- Year Built: 1963
- Status: Sold
Norman D. Ward Designed Contemporary Home
This contemporary Bluestem residence was designed by architect Normand D. Ward in Cresson, Texas. A single roof rests on four pavilions with breezeways and walkways that help filter out sunlight into bedrooms and the studio.
- Architect: Norman D. Ward
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Living Area: 2740
- Building Name: Bluestem Residence
Preston Hollow Modern Home for Sale – Sold by Douglas Newby
The 2.63 acres is perfectly located to enjoy the 40 acres of ascending tree tops on the neighboring 25 acre Hicks and 15 acre Phillips estates both of which adjoin President George and Laura Bush’s Mayflower estate home.
- Neighborhood: Mayflower Estates
- Architect: Scott Lyons
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 2.63
- Living Area: 9902
- Year Built: 1983
- Status: Sold
O’Neil Ford Designed Texas Modern – Sold by Douglas Newby
O’Neil Ford and Arch Swank were brilliant when it came to selecting sites for the homes they designed. Here, O’Neil Ford and Arch Swank selected the top of the hill in Turtle Creek Park, alongside Rock Creek.
- Neighborhood: Turtle Creek Park
- Architect: O’Neil Ford
- Architectural Style: Early Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.32
- Living Area: 4149
- Year Built: 1936
- Status: Sold
Highland Park Modern Home
On the fascia of the Lexington House, he introduces cobalt blue ceramic tile imported from Asia for this stone Texas Modern home he designed in 1958. Torn Down 2011.
- Neighborhood: First Section of Old Highland Park
- Architect: Scott Lyons
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.03
- Living Area: 6968
- Year Built: 1965
Frank Welch Designed Home
This home overlooking White Rock Lake, was designed by Frank Welch in 1997 for John and Barbara Bradfield. It draws directly from O’Neil Ford and David Williams. The balconies evolved directly from O’Neil Ford’s Trinity University in San Antonio.
- Neighborhood: West Lawther Drive
- Architect: Frank Welch
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.68
- Living Area: 4649
- Year Built: 1997
Scott Lyons Designed Texas Modern Home
Scott Lyons designed this international style house with a touch of regionalism. Scott Lyons was a modernist who used indigenous material and created graceful spaces. The guest house home and the house in the country take the Texas indigenous theme a step further. The intersecting gabled sections create a courtyard so often used in Texas houses. While soft tan brick is employed, the home is crisper and more elegant than many regional homes. 4701 Drexel has been generously made available to Dallas and remains one of the city’s favorite homes.
- Neighborhood: Second Section of Old Highland Park
- Architect: Scott Lyons
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.62
- Living Area: 7129
- Year Built: 1958
Haggerty / Hanley Home
This complex house on a difficult site of trees and stone ledges is known for its simple lines, serene views and beautiful craftsmanship. O’Neil Ford, at his best, designed this home with Texas materials, hand carving and the continuation of a folk quality that permeates his homes.
- Neighborhood: Dentwood Addition
- Architect: O’Neil Ford
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.77
- Living Area: 11355
- Year Built: 1957
- Building Name: Haggerty / Hanley Home
Oglesby·Greene Designed Home at 1200 Monica Drive
In the conservation corridor of rapidly growing Allen, Texas in Collin County, you will find this architect designed modern home surrounded by 4.5 acres of protected land and common area in Montgomery Farm, a development dedicated to the finest architecture, protected open spaces, trees farms and the neighboring nature preserve.
- Neighborhood: Montgomery Farm
- Architect: Oglesby·Greene
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.3
- Year Built: 2011
University Park Home on .25 Acres – Sold by Douglas Newby
Charles Dilbeck was a prolific architect, much loved and currently featured at the Meadows Museum’s architecture exhibit Crafting Traditions. This four-bedroom Dilbeck home across the street from Williams Park was designed in 1934 next to another architectural masterpiece, the home designed by David Williams for the mayor of University Park in 1932.
- Neighborhood: St. Andrews Place
- Architect: Charles S. Dilbeck
- Architectural Style: Early Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.25
- Living Area: 4790
- Year Built: 1935
- Status: Sold
Steve Chambers in collaboration with HKS Architects
Architect, Steve Chambers in collaboration with HKS Architects designed this Texas Modern residence in Bluffview.
- Neighborhood: Bluffview
- Architect: Steve Chambers
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.67
- Living Area: 5490
- Year Built: 2006
David R. Williams Designed Architecturally Significant Early Texas Modern Residence
An East Texas/Louisiana influence is seen on the facade, but this home makes a further leap into Texas Modernism. The continuous beams from the living room to the arched verandas, the courtyards and the balconies reflect the style of Texas homes that grew as families expanded.
- Neighborhood: First Section of Old Highland Park
- Architect: David R. Williams
- Architectural Style: Early Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.46
- Living Area: 4047
- Year Built: 1930
Lakewood Texas Modern Home
Arch Swank and O’Neil Ford designed this architecturally significant home in 1939 for the Brombergs who lived in the home for 60 years. You can see references of earlier David Williams and O’Neil Ford homes in the carvings, railings, doors, ceilings and screened-in porches with fireplaces. Originally, the home was built on several acres.
- Neighborhood: Lakewood
- Architect: O’Neil Ford
- Architectural Style: Early Texas Modern
- Acres: 4.77
- Living Area: 5338
- Year Built: 1939
Modern Home Inspired by Texas Ranch Houses
In 1932, David Williams built his last private home which also was his first home to become widely recognized and applauded. Elbert Williams, Mayor of University Park and no relation to David Williams, was a perfect client for the culmination of David Williams’ private residential practice.
- Neighborhood: Windsor Place
- Architect: David R. Williams
- Architectural Style: Early Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.15
- Living Area: 5594
- Year Built: 1932
Max Levy Designed Architecturally Significant Texas Modern Residence
- Neighborhood: Lansdowne Estates
- Architect: Max Levy
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.25
- Living Area: 4398
- Year Built: 1987
David George Designed Architecturally Significant Early Texas Modern Estate Home
The seven metal roof caps create a dramatic line interrupted by several chimneys. This Texas Modern home was also influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, with whom David George apprenticed. Ted Larson was the renovation architect of this one-room deep house overlooking a deep ravine and creek.
- Neighborhood: Cochran Chapel
- Architect: David George
- Renovate Architect: Ted Larson
- Architectural Style: Early Texas Modern
- Acres: 1.78
- Living Area: 3633
- Year Built: 1980
Scott Lyons Designed Texas Modern House
This Scott Lyons designed home has been featured in our blog. Please visit the Dallas Architecture Blog to read the full feature and to see more photos.
- Neighborhood: Fourth Section of Old Highland Park
- Architect: Scott Lyons
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 0.25
- Living Area: 4056
- Year Built: 1975
Frank Welch Designed Texas Modern Estate Home
- Neighborhood: Northwest Hills
- Architect: Frank Welch
- Interior Designer: Paul Draper
- Architectural Style: Texas Modern
- Acres: 1
- Living Area: 7060
- Year Built: 2004