Mid Century Interiors by Bruce Goff

Oklahoma architect Bruce Goff, who was most prolific in the mid 20th century, created homes with unmistakable exteriors and interiors. A few of the latter are collected here:

First up is the the Ruth Ford House in Aurora, Illinois. Its exterior domed form reads right on through to the stunning wood-clad interior.

Next is the Nicol Residence in Kansas City. Surely a precursor to the zig zag patterns we see to this day.

Last is the iconic Bavinger House, with its rocky walls and suspended staircases.

Goff's work is generally either loved or hated. Few are without opinion on his characteristic style. Where do you stand?

Comments (3)

I live in Norman, OK, and my dad was in OU's Architecture School when Goff was its head. So, Goff ranked up there with Wright in our house. I think he's a great artist and architect. There's a wonderful little house he did, about two blocks from campus, that has a carport in a kind of small swirl design like the one above. When I'd walk to school, I'd stop and look at the house - the living room is all glass with stone walls, and you can see some of it through the fence. I always wanted to take a tour of it. It made my heart go pitty-pat - just beautiful.

that wooden ceiling alone probably costs more than any 2 houses i've ever lived in put together. beautiful.

You can't see them in the photo of the Ford house, but the walls are made of coal (yes, coal) and glass chunks leftover from glass manufacturing (no longer available, as they get reused today). The floors are black terazzo with radiant heat and the plants in the planter don't need to be watered....