Looking more like a gargantuan meringue made structure, this Westlake, Texas home is on the market for $650K, and comes with custom built-in cherrywood cabinets, walk-in closets, hidey-holes, a twisting fireplace, multiple level decks, an outdoor shower and a lifetime guarantee of curious passerbys. Someone should bring chocolate coloured siding and graham cracker roof material and make some s'mores. More photos under the cut...
[photos and link via Austin Modhouse]
The home was the creation of architect/sculptor Charles Harker, who founded the Tao Design Group. Composed of architects, sculptors and artists with a keen desire for experimentation, the Tao Design group began building homes around Austin. The "Bloomhouse" was constructed in 1980 out of Portland cement plaster and polyurethane foam for a client who wanted "something extraordinary".
The Bloomhoue won a 1984 Award of Merit by the Austin chapter of the American Institute of Architects, but it's in great danger of being purchased simply as a tear-down, as the 2.5 acre ravine location is considered highly desirable while the building itself is of niche interest. More information about the Bloomhouse here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
ewww
view emhoop's profile
I would feel like I was living in a boneyard. Kinda creepy, but intriguing none-the-less.
view rexrayfan's profile
WTF?!? That's like living in a booger nightmare.
view visualingual's profile
Holy cow, that's pretty.
view brittanykate's profile
I clicked on this post expecting to coo over how cool and pretty the house was, but it's actually terrifying!
view ARC's profile
I'm glad it exists though, I want to add.
view ARC's profile
This totally makes me think of the planet Solaris in the Stanislaw Lem book. The planet is described to make various twisty floaty structures that resemble clouds.floral calyx, and undulations.
view maidmoron's profile
Visualingual: You live up to your name!
view rexrayfan's profile
Kind of creepy, but it would be a shame to tear it down.
If I owned the land, I'd keep it.
How would I decorate that? Beanbags? A round bed? One of those huge white gloopy homemade candles the size of a chandelier?
view Valerie's profile
Keep Austin Wierd's version of something based on Gaudi?
view DLT's profile
The city of Austin should buy it and open it to the public. It's a great tourist attraction.
view dandy's profile
I should amend my earlier comment... Sorry, my snark got the better of me. I definitely hope this isn't torn down, because it's CRAZY! I wouldn't want to live there, and I think few people would, but it's tragic to regard this is as a mere teardown. [That is, it may be an extraordinarily livable home, but it still looks like boogers.] Surely there's someone and some way out there to keep this structure present and somehow functioning in its community. I hope that the local AIA chapter, or whoever, can pitch this to the right people; finding buyers for unique homes takes work and time, but they're out there.
view visualingual's profile
Does it come with its own Hobbit?
view hdtex's profile
That's where Hannibal Lecter and the Bone Collector have their retirement plans. The Boney Home.... or something....
Sheesh!
Where's a little love, a little life, a few plants, and flowers, and growing LIVE things in that?
view PapaQuebec's profile
Very Gaudi
view Deb of Oz's profile
I love this place!
Screw flat walls & cubic rooms.
view MoJonson's profile
I worked on this place for a couple of semesters back in the mid-70s as a work-study program in the UT School of Architecture. I wasn't around Austin by the time it was completed, so it's nice to see it finished. I do wish it looked as if someone lived there. A house that looks loved is so much more interesting and inviting than one that looks abandoned, even if it's in pristine condition.
view davavd's profile