Mid Century Modernist Art in Albuquerque Architect
Mid-century modern full-page full-color art from Albuquerque Architect Magazine!
We came across this very mod full-color full-page art from the 1960s and had to share!
We don’t know much more about the artwork outside of the publisher; Albuquerque Architect Magazine. There is no artist, company, or text on the page. We found it while searching for information on Four Hills Village but had to stop and share because it’s so gorgeous! Full-page color ads like this one are not common.
If you know more about this art we’d love it if you could share! This one is a mystery.
Historic New Mexico Made Slump Block
Then and now a luxury half-century-old Crego Block Company showcase home in Four Hills Village, Albuquerque. Residence of original owners Dr. & Mrs. Steven F. Feagler.
Photo of 900 Maverick Trail in Four Hills Village Albuquerque, February 2021
Four Hills Village is certainly known for its great 1960s design. What is lesser known is the impressive number of these historic homes that are built with local Albuquerque-made materials.
We have archived instances of this Crego ad published as early as 1961.
Concrete was everywhere in 60s Albuquerque partly because it was manufactured right in the backyard. Due to the mining of naturally occurring minerals in the Manzano mountains, Albuquerque became a major manufacturer of concrete materials. Another popular concrete-like product on the market at the time was a local innovation called “SlumpRok”, which later became known as Slump Block, made by Crego Block Company. The blocks were pulled out of their molds before fully curing causing the sides to “slump” slightly as they dried. When used in construction this would give a wall a textured appearance with more depth than traditional brick. It is intended to look like a more traditional southwestern adobe brick.
Over half a century ago in 1966, Crego Block Company showcased what is now a historic home in Four Hills Village. The advertisement ran in the July-August 1969 edition of Albuquerque Architect Magazine and highlighted the original owner of the residence, Dr. & Mrs. Steven H. Feagler.
This home still looks just like the ad proving Crego wasn’t just fluff and promises. The house truly does deliver!
This house is located at 900 Maverick Trail SE in Four Hills Village, Albuquerque.
Once you learn what Slump Block is you will notice it all over the neighborhood and throughout Albuquerque. It was highly prolific in 1960s and 70s design. As far as we can tell, Crego was the major, if not sole, supplier of Slump Block in Albuquerque during this time.
Photo of 900 Maverick Four Hills Village Albuquerque, February 2021
Resources: Albuquerque Architect Magazine; A complete collection of Albuquerque Architect Magazine can be found in the University of New Mexico’s digital repository. Click here to download the July-August 1969 edition.
How To Tell If You Live In a Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival
Identify if you live in a Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival home. Learn our favorite features of Spanish Revival homes from the 1950s to 1960s.
Identifying features to look for to learn if your house is a Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival.
Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival throughout the 1950s and 60s was undeniably a big deal but it’s important to note that it was not the beginning of Spanish Revival in America. Spanish Revival homes became popular in California during the 1920s following the Panama-California Exposition, which took place in San Diego from 1915-1917. The Southwestern states took the idea and ran with it for decades to come.
About Mid Century Spanish Revival Homes
The first process of elimination is finding out if your home is in fact mid-century modern. These are homes built roughly between 1950 and 1970. Spanish revival homes in the late 40s and early 1950s steered closer to the multi-level tight footprint of Spanish missions. They were inherently traditionalist and colonial. By the late 50s and early 60s the sentiment of Spanish flair was more focused on the endless Summer vibes and warm elements of Mediterranean aesthetic. Ranch houses and split levels took the center stage at the time as well. By the top of the century, 5 out of every 6 homes built were either a single-story ranch home or a split level. In the mid-century going up and down stairs fell out of favor thus removing the need or desire for the traditional wrought iron adorned staircases of their older sisters.
Common Locations of Mid Century Spanish Revival Homes
Spanish elements worked wonders in sunny climates and their eternally stylish features make sense for homeowners in gorgeous sunny places. The idea of soggy stucco walls didn’t entice anyone living in damp and dark climates and the flat roofs were not ideal for snowier places. You see a lot of mid century modern Spanish revival homes in places like Florida and along the southwestern states in New Mexico, Arizona and California. These are also areas in the US with some of the highest rates of Spanish influence throughout American history.
Interior of a 1969 Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival split level home in Four Hills Village, Albuquerque, NM.
Identifying Features of Mid Century Modern Spanish Revival Homes
Archways
Rounded archways in Spanish architecture dates all the way back to the Moors.
Stucco Walls
Clean white stucco walls are made of natural materials and look more warm and organic looking than other wall construction available at the time.
Clay Shingle Roof
Terra Cotta tiles are a staple for Mid Century Spanish Revival homes. These were often labors of love and each tile or shingle was molded by hand.
Wrought Iron Details
These details are most often found as decorative motifs above front entrances and the material was used on balconies and decoratively as a breezeway when filling arched window spaces.
Exposed Wooden Roof Beams
Another common identifier of Spanish Revival homes are exposed wooden roof beams. The exposed structural supports add some visual interest and bring the eye upward.
Enclosed Gardens
These homes often have a sizable and fully enclosed private garden area in the front and/or back reminiscent of true Spanish home design. Another common feature of these gardens is tile work water features.
Clay Tile
Look for original tile details embedded into walls and tile work floors. A common style of flooring in Spanish Revival homes is naturally warm-toned clay tiles. Due to the skill level required to install and maintain terra cotta tile if your home still has original 50-year-old terra cotta tile in great condition it could be worth refurbishing versus replacing.
With a growing appreciation of mid century modern design and craftsmanship many modern homebuyers are on the lookout for features that show off the originally intended nature and age of their property.