I spent this past weekend in Houston, reveling in some of the city's more artistic sites. I meandered around The Menil Collection and its surrounding campus, taking in its fantastic contemporary art collection and enjoying the beautiful grounds. I took a restful stroll through the beautifully manicured Bayou Bend, reveling in the lushness and serenity there. But if I had to pick one place in Houston that was my favorite, it would certainly be The Beer Can House.
The artist and homeowner, John Milkovisch, began work on the grounds in 1968, but it became his full-time work in 1976 when he retired from his career as an upholsterer at the Southern Pacific Railroad. He began by slowly paving and tiling the front and back yards of the house (he hated mowing the grass), incorporating his massive glass marble collection as a decorative element.
But marbles weren't the only item John stashed away. He despised waste, and had been saving empty beer cans for about 17 years. Not knowing just quite what he would do with them, he slowly figured it out, one step at a time. He began deconstructing the cans, experimenting with tiling patterns and stringing together the caps and bottoms to make a decorative garland.
Not only did John, his wife Mary and their children have the most unique house on the block, this new aluminum siding and beer can garland seriously cut back on the energy consumption of the home. The garland not only provides window shade from the Texas heat, but it sings a beautiful and unexpected song as the breeze blows past. Though John and Mary are no longer with us, I could almost hear their laughter and warmth asking me to have a seat, stay a while and have another beer.
More Info: The Beer Can House
(Images: Smith Schwartz)
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I like the turquoise kitchen but other than that, not for me.
When I first heard about this (on NPR I think some years back) I thought it sounded like the height of redneck kitsch - but actually seeing it, it looks surprisingly nice! I'd like to live there.
I had to go search for a video of this to hear the sound. They sound wonderful. I love the kitchen too!
I live in Houston and I took my in-laws to see this when they visited us. They were kind of enchanted. I actually love the stuff he did outside the house with marbles the best. And the stepladder to heaven.
Only in Houston! The beer can house is a fun tour -- I too took a visiting relative to see it and we loved it.
From another long time Houstonian, if you visit check out the Orange Show a few miles away. Also from a middle class guy with a vision. The Orange Show Foundation curates both these sights and is involved with supporting many art events, including the always popular annual Art Car Parade and Ball
.
Fage is my favorite, but when our local Costco was out I tried their brand (Kirkland) and it's a decent substitute.
The Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum is no more. The Frescoes were recently returned to the original owner, the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The Menils knowingly bought them hot and restored them with the agreement that they were temporary (even though they have been a houston treasure since 97). I second going to see The Orange Show and the Flower Man's house. Both local Houston folk art treasures!
The people sound like they were kind, thrifty souls, but this house is awful, as is drinking so much beer.
Where's the cigarette pack house?
remember he has 17 years worth of cans, thats a lot of years and you wouldn't have to drink heavily to save up enough cans, add in parties etc. and once he started using them in this manner I'm willing to bet people brought cans to him as well. just a guess.