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ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE NUMBER: C14H-2021-0180 September 27, 2021 October 25, 2021 HLC DATE: August 23, 2021 PC DATE: December 14, 2021 January 25, 2022 February 8, 2022 APPLICANT: Historic Landmark Commission (owner-opposed) HISTORIC NAME: Casa McMath WATERSHED: Johnson Creek NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN: Central West Austin Combined ADDRESS OF PROPOSED ZONING CHANGE: 2501 Inwood Place ZONING CHANGE: SF-3-NP to SF-3-NP-H COUNCIL DISTRICT: 10 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff finds that the house meets the criteria for landmark designation and thus recommends the proposed zoning change from SF-3-NP (single family residence – neighborhood plan combining district zoning) to SF- 3-NP-H (single family residence – neighborhood plan – historic landmark combining district zoning). Should the Commission choose to release the permit, the staff recommendation is to require completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, including documentation of the site and exterior and interior architectural features. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION: Architecture, historical associations, and landscape feature HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION ACTION: August 23, 2021: Postponed to September 27, 2021. September 27, 2021: Initiated historic zoning. October 25, 2021: Recommended historic zoning for architecture, historical associations, landscape feature, and community value on a motion by Commissioner Koch. Commissioner Wright seconded the motion. Vote: 9-0 (Commissioners Castillo and Larosche absent). PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: December 14, 2021: Postponed to January 25, 2022. January 25, 2022: Postponed to February 8, 2022. February 8, 2022: DEPARTMENT COMMENTS: The house is beyond the bounds of the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey (1984) and has never been included in a city survey. CITY COUNCIL DATE: ORDINANCE READINGS: ACTION: ORDINANCE NUMBER: CASE MANAGER: Elizabeth Brummett PHONE: 512-974-1264 NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS: Austin Independent School District, Austin Lost and Found Pets, Austin Neighborhoods Council, Central West Austin Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, Friends of Austin Neighborhoods, Neighborhood Empowerment Foundation, Preservation Austin, SELTexas, Save Barton Creek Assn., Save Historic Muny District, Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group, TNR BCP - Travis County Natural Resources, Tarrytown Alliance , Tarrytown Neighborhood Association, West Austin Neighborhood Group 1 of 112B-22 BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION: Historical Associations: The house was owned and occupied by Hugh and Frances McMath from the time of its construction until their deaths, and it remained in the McMath family until this year. Hugh McMath was a professor of architecture at the University of Texas who specialized in the study of Mexican architecture and was prominent in integrating Mexican schools of architecture into a larger sphere of American architectural studies. Hugh McMath (1904–1992) taught at the University of Texas School of Architecture for 44 years. He was a renowned professor with a specialization in Mexican architecture, and he was instrumental in introducing his students to its principles. He primarily wrote and developed courses in pre-Hispanic and Colonial architecture. During the 1950s, he arranged annual summer trips of U.S. students to the Instituto Tecnologico of Monterrey, Mexico. His sponsorship helped the institute gain admission to the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, an international association of accredited architectural degree programs. McMath later organized architectural tours to promote interest in Mexican heritage and architecture. McMath served as chair of the School of Architecture from 1946–1948, director from 1948–1950, and acting director from 1953–1956. During this time, McMath encouraged John S. Chase to apply to the architecture program, telling him about the pending Sweatt v. Painter case that desegregated the university. Chase went on to many firsts as an African American: the first to enroll at the University of Texas, the first to graduate with an architecture degree, and the first in Texas to become a licensed architect. Beyond academia, McMath served in other leadership roles in architecture. He was co-chair of a committee to draw up a long-range plan for Pioneer Farms when it was formed in 1956. McMath also served as president of the Central Texas branch of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1958. He served on the AIA National Committee on Education and Foreign Relations. The Royal Society of Arts of Great Britain made McMath a Fellow to recognize his work to develop cultural relations with Mexico. Frances McMath (ca. 1905–1986) graduated from the University of Texas in 1924. In addition to working for a nonprofit and in public education, she held multiple positions at the university, as secretary to the dean of the Graduate School and to the president of the university, and on the staff of the Dean of Women. She co-led or accompanied many trips to Mexico. She supported women at the university, including sponsorship of a university club welcoming female architecture students and wives of students, and involvement with the university’s alumnae association of the Mortar Board, an honor society. Architecture: The landmark designation criterion for architecture recognizes a range of architectural expression—from a place that clearly embodies the distinguishing characteristics of a recognized style to an architectural curiosity or one-of-a- kind building. Casa McMath bridges these categories, with its eclecticism as part of its significance. The house is a one-story, irregular plan, flat- and low gable-roofed house with elements Mid-Century Modern design, plus eclectic modifications that can be interpreted through the lens of Critical Regionalism. The house was constructed in 1948 with 1952 and other undated additions. The original design may be the work of architect Ned Cole in association with Plan Con, the builders of the house. Hallmark Mid-Century Modern elements include a blocky exterior softened through the use of local, natural materials, the blending of the outside with the inside, and use of large windows. The house has expansive roof overhangs, a combination of horizontal and vertical wood siding, and stone veneer. Stands of oaks, along with stone planters, walls, and steps extending from the house, lend a strong connection between the house and landscape. Stonework on the chimney and walls is narrow random ashlar, while planters and site walls are uncoursed rubble stonework of later construction. Windows are groupings of steel casements that meet at building corners, with a floor-to-ceiling commercial storefront window that steps in next to the main entry. The house appears to retain high integrity, with alterations made during the McMaths’ ownership. These changes may represent Hugh McMath’s evolving architectural interests and experimentation at his own home, bringing in influences from Mexican architecture and further grounding the house in its site. Modifications to the house include the addition of turned wood columns, geometric wood medallions, and vintage lighting fixtures. Pops of color punctuate the exterior, with green on the windows and cobalt blue on the doors and turned posts. On the interior, the house has smooth and ribbed wood paneling and wall storage units constructed by Fabricon, a partner company to Plan Con. Some of the wood has a natural finish, while other areas are painted bright red. The two bedrooms have pink walls and storage units. Flooring throughout the house is Saltillo tile. A utility room addition to the side of the entryway has air-conditioning equipment that appears to tie into ductwork retrofitted under the gabled portion of the roof. 2 of 112B-22 Off of the living room, an alcove added behind the fireplace is painted cobalt blue and has a geometric stained-glass window. Plan Con, Fabricon, and Ned A. Cole The house at 2501 Inwood Pl. was built in 1948–49 by Plan Con, a local building construction firm that shared its location with Fabricon at 4601 E. 5th Street. Plan Con was operated by Carl B. Morris, president of Materials Distributing Company, with Maurice W. Cole as vice-president, Russell Horn as secretary, and Ned A. Cole as treasurer. Carl Morris’s obituary noted that he was a real estate developer and home builder. Maurice Cole was the proprietor of Metal Equipment Company, a welding company at 4607 E. 5th Street. His brother Ned Cole was president and one of four founders of Fabricon. Russell J. Horn was a student at the University of Texas at this time. Plan Con constructed tract houses in the Pecan Orchard (2000–2100 Peach Tree St.) and Sun Terrace subdivisions in 1949. Beyond their affordable price points ($6,950 to $8,450; in the mid-1950s, $12,000 to $14,000 was considered a median price), an advertisement billed a comprehensive package of design, construction, and loan negotiations; home features included Fabricon wall storage units, central heating, and large metal casement windows. Fabricon is listed as cabinet makers in the Austin city directories of the late 1940s but was more accurately a manufacturer of pre-fabricated wall storage units, roof trusses and windows—a pioneer in home design and the efficiency of interior storage. The firm, a collaboration of four GIs returning from World War II, planned houses with prefabricated wall units and increased interior storage. Plan Con was relatively short-lived, appearing in city directories and newspaper searches in 1949, as compared with Fabricon, which operated from 1946 through at least 1960. Ned Cole graduated from the University of Texas School of Architecture in 1939. He was the architect of many of Fabricon’s home designs. While research has not identified his specific contributions to Plan Con, he presumably played the same role as the sole architect within the company’s leadership. Given Cole’s his connections to Plan Con and likelihood that he studied under McMath at the University of Texas, there is a distinct possibility he was the architect of 2501 Inwood Place; however, no definitive connection was identified in the Hugh L. McMath papers at the Alexander Architectural Archive at the University of Texas at Austin. As an architect and homebuilder, Cole rose to national attention in 1952–53 with his design of the National Association of Home Builders Trade Secrets house, a culmination of this national trade organization’s efforts to incorporate innovative cost-cutting strategies and improve homebuilding quality. The home included signature features of Cole’s architectural practice: tilt-up walls with precut lumber and modular windows, roof trusses that eliminate the need for interior bearing walls, and prefabricated storage partitions. Cole was the architect of seven houses in the Austin Air-Conditioned Village, designed in 1954 with Fabricon products, and built homes throughout Central Texas. He moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1961, where he continued his long career, including serving as a consultant on the construction of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. While contemporaneous with Plan Con’s tract houses, McMath’s house is a unique design, constructed at a higher cost of $9,500 with varied materials and articulation. As compared with Cole and Fabricon’s later homes, this house is more traditional in its design and construction. In lieu of non-bearing wall panels and storage units dividing the space, load- bearing stud walls are a necessity with the house’s sprawling plan and flat roof. Critical regionalism The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (2nd ed.) describes critical regionalism as a response to Modernism: “a strategy for achieving a more humane architecture in the face of universally held abstractions and ) and Liane Lefaivre in 1981, the term was seized upon by international clichés. Coined by Alexander Tzonis (1937– [architectural theorist Kenneth] Frampton, who argued that architects should seek regional variations in their buildings instead of continuing to design in a style of global uniformity using ‘consumerist iconography masquerading as culture’, and should ‘mediate the impact’ of universal civilization with themes drawn indirectly from the individual ‘peculiarities of a particular place’.” In Texas during this era, Critical Regionalism is most closely associated with San Antonio architect O’Neil Ford, whose work sought to integrate regional architectural traditions with modern technology. Ford’s designs were known for abstractions of traditional forms and use of richly textured local materials. Although Hugh McMath did not design this house, his interventions quite literally take a modernist architectural form and seek to ground it, both through integration into the landscape and borrowing from regional architectural traditions. As built, the house already contrasted large metal windows and geometric forms with natural materials including unfinished wood siding and limestone. Subsequent changes took these aspects a step further, introducing wider roof overhangs, additional natural wood siding, and fieldstone planters that integrate the house into the site. McMath’s study of Mexican architecture and traditional buildings, as well as a sense of creativity and reinvention, are evident in the modifications to the house—the 3 of 112B-22 use of color on the interior and exterior, geometric painted wood medallions, eclectic lighting fixtures, geometric stained glass, turned wood porch posts, and a carved wood oxen yoke hanging over the doors to the back patio. Unfortunately, these modifications were made without building permits and do not meet code requirements. The extended overhangs are structurally undersized. Lighting fixtures are not exterior grade and are plugged into added electrical outlets. Aspects of the work appear unfinished, such as the varied soffit materials. Landscape Feature: McMath’s interventions extend into the site, which represents a significant designed landscape with artistic and aesthetic value. A natural drainage crosses the lot near the intersection of Inwood Place and Possum Trot, spanned by a wooden bridge leading to a concrete driveway. Curvilinear stone retaining walls frame the driveway and doors to the two-car garage. Low stone walls step up as the wooded site rises toward the house. Curving stone stairs lead from the garage to a sidewalk to the front door. To the rear of the house is an exposed aggregate concrete patio, with an outdoor table under a deep roof overhang supported by turned posts. An adjacent patio has Saltillo tile set into pavers and is framed by stepped rectilinear retaining walls. PARCEL NO.: 0113060508 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOT 9 & E 37.5 FT OF LOT 8 INWOOD PARK ESTIMATED ANNUAL TAX ABATEMENT: $8,500 (owner-occupied); city portion: $2,500 (capped). PRESENT USE: Vacant; the applicant proposes to demolish the ca. 1948 house. APPRAISED VALUE: $1,025,772 CONDITION: Fair PRESENT OWNERS: INWOOD FOREST LLC 3300 BEE CAVE RD STE 650-1186 AUSTIN, TX 78746-6600 DATE BUILT: ca. 1948 ALTERATIONS/ADDITIONS: Multiple; see discussion of architecture above. ORIGINAL OWNER(S): Hugh and Frances McMath OTHER HISTORICAL DESIGNATIONS: None 4 of 112B-22LOCATION MAP 5 of 112B-22PROPERTY INFORMATION 6 of 112B-22 7 of 112B-22 Note: see additional photographs from October 7, 2021 staff visit to property at end of report. Applicant, 2021 Occupancy History City Historic Preservation Office, City Directory Research, July 2021 Hugh L. and Frances McMath, owners 1959 Hugh – Professor, University of Texas Frances – Clerk, O Henry Jr. High School 1957 1955 1952 1949 Hugh L. and Frances McMath, owners Hugh – Professor, University of Texas Frances – Clerk, Board of Education Hugh L. and Frances McMath, owners Acting director, School of Architecture, University of Texas Hugh L. and Frances McMath, owners Professor, University of Texas The address is not listed in the directory. NOTE: The house was built in 1948. NOTE: Hugh L. McMath is listed as a professor at the University of Texas; he lived at 386a Deep Eddy Apartments. Frances McMath is not listed in the directory. Biographical Information Hugh L. McMath (1904–1992) married Frances Marian Little (ca. 1905–1986) in Travis County in June 1937. The 1940 U.S Census shows Hugh and Frances McMath as the renters of the house at 1801 Newfield Lane in Austin. Hugh McMath was 35, had been born in South Dakota, and was an assistant professor at the University of Texas. Frances McMath was also 35, had been born in Texas, and was the chief clerk at the Works Progress Administration office. His 1942 World War II draft registration card shows that Hugh Lyon McMath was living at 2210-C Nueces Street in Austin; he was employed by the Department of Architecture at the University of Texas and was married to Frances McMath. He was born in 1904 in Watertown, South Dakota. He was 5’-11” tall, weighed 150 pounds, and a had a light complexion with brown hair and blue eyes. 8 of 112B-22 Society page story on the wedding of Hugh McMath and Frances Little, Austin American-Statesman, 7/18/1937. 9 of 112B-22 Examples of McMath’s travel and work in Mexico, including a trip to extend an invitation to the Instituto Tecnologico in Monterrey, Mexico to join the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, The Austin Statesman, 10/13/1952 and 11/17/1955. 10 of 112B-22 Group of high school students attending a summer school session at the Instituto Tecnologico, led by Hugh and Frances McMath and including their daughter, The Austin Statesman, 8/15/1962. 11 of 112B-22 Frances McMath supported women at the University of Texas through multiple endeavors, The Austin American, 3/22/1942 and The Austin Statesman, 11/1/1955. 12 of 112B-22 Excerpt from article describing the establishment of Pioneer Farms, The Austin American, 4/1/1956. 13 of 112B-22 Title Hugh L. McMath papers Dates: 1928-1977 Abstract The Hugh McMath papers include textual and photographic material primarily documenting his 44- year teaching career in the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin. He held a deep interest in the art and architecture of Mexico and developed courses in pre-Hispanic and Colonial architecture of Mexico and published several monographs on the subject. Record types include photographs, correspondence, student work, writings, and faculty papers. Hugh Lyon McMath was born in Watertown, South Dakota, May 9, 1904. McMath studied engineering and architecture at North Dakota Agricultural College (Fargo, North Dakota) in the 1920s, receiving a bachelor's of architecture in 1927. He was an instructor in architecture at North Dakota State College from 1927-1928; and at Bradley Polytechnic Institute in Peoria, Illinois from 1928-1929. He arrived in Austin in 1930 to teach at The University of Texas. Subsequently he received a master's in architecture from The University of Texas in 1934 and from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1936. In 1942 McMath entered the U.S. Army Air Corps along with a number of other University faculty members. He served as an instructor and later as a director of the ground school at Moore Field Army Corps Base in Mission, Texas. He headed the educational guidance staff of the Austin Air Reserve Group in the 1950s and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1964. During his 44 years of teaching in the School of Architecture at The University of Texas, McMath served as chair from 1946-1948, director from 1948-1950, and acting director from 1953-1954. In addition to his private practice, McMath lists professional experience in the offices of Frederic J. Klein (Peoria, Illinois), Walter T. Rolfe (Austin, Texas), Walter C. Harris (Austin, Texas), Golemon and Rolfe (Houston, Texas), and McKee and Kamrath (Houston, Texas). McMath held a deep interest in the art and architecture of Mexico. He developed courses in the pre-Hispanic and Colonial architecture of Mexico and published several monographs on the subjects. From 1950 until 1960 he organized an architectural workshop at the Instituto Tecnologico of Monterrey, Mexico, attended by students from all over the U.S. His sponsorship aided the admission of the architecture school at the Instituto Technologico into the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. He organized “Arctours” to Mexico in 1968, 1969 and 1970 to inspire interest in historic Mexican architecture by touring sites. Funded by a University Research Institute grant, he conducted a photographic survey of architecture in Puebla, Mexico, in 1968. In 1957, serving as a consultant and coordinating architect for design and construction of the American School in Monterrey, he arranged an association of Monterrey architects and representatives from the Houston firm of Caudill Rowlett and Scott Architects and Planners. McMath was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of Great Britain for his work to develop cultural relations with Mexico. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Texas Society of Architects and served on the AIA National Committee on Education and Foreign Relations. Hugh McMath retired from The University of Texas in 1974. From the Alexander Archives, University of Texas, https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utaaa/00114/aaa-00114.html. 14 of 112B-22JOHN S. CHASE: PAVING THE WAY—FINDING A PATH TO UTSOA John S. Chase recognized that after earning his undergraduate degree from Hampton University and working as a drafter at an architectural firm in Philadelphia, the best way to further his career was to continue his education. In 1949, he moved to Austin, Texas, to begin working for the Lott Lumber Company, and he hoped to pursue further studies at UTSOA, the best architecture program in the country at the time. Meeting with the Dean of the School of Architecture, Hugh McMath, Chase inquired about studying at UTSOA, despite the University’s strict policy of segregation. Dean McMath told Chase about the pending Sweatt v. Painter case that was being argued in the Supreme Court at the time in 1950, and McMath encouraged Chase to apply for the program in anticipation of the case’s conclusion. Online exhibit of the Architecture and Planning Library of the University of Texas at Austin, https://utlibrariesarchitecture.omeka.net/exhibits/show/paving_the_way/finding_a_path. Obituary for Frances Little McMath, Austin American-Stateman, 1/28/1986. Hugh Lyon McMath, former director of UT School of Architecture, dies at 88 November 17, 1992 | Austin American-Statesman (TX) Hugh Lyon McMath, former director of the University of Texas School of Architecture and professor emeritus, died Sunday. He was 88. McMath was director of the school for six years when the department of architecture separated from the College of Engineering in 1948. McMath, who earned master’s degrees in architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and UT, began teaching at UT in 1930. In 1950, he and his wife, Frances, began taking students from all over the country to study architecture during the summer at the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores in Monterrey, Mexico. Before teaching at UT, McMath taught briefly at North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University) and Bradley Polytechnic Institute in Peoria, Ill. 15 of 112B-22 Article on Fabricon and Ned Cole’s role in the venture, The Austin Statesman, 2/27/1948. 16 of 112B-22 Advertisement for Plan Con’s Pattern Homes, The Austin Statesman, 3/8/1949. 17 of 112B-22 Description of tract housing development by Plan Con, The Austin Statesman, 1/20/1949. 18 of 112B-22 Additional Plan Con homes planned for construction in 1949, The Austin Statesman, 9/26/1949. Entries in the 1949 Austin City Directory for Fabricon and Plancon. Entry in the 1952 Austin City Directory for Fabricon. There are no entries for Plancon or Carl Morris; Maurice and Ned Cole are listed with their other ventures, respectively Metal Equipment Co. and Fabricon, and Russel Horn as a student at the University of Texas. 19 of 112B-22Permits Application for Sewer Connection, 1949 Water Service Connection, 1949 20 of 112B-22 Building Permit, 1948 Building permit to Hugh McMath for an addition, 1952 21 of 112B-22STAFF SITE VISIT PHOTOGRAPHS 22 18 21 20 19 17 See next page 6 7 5 4 24 3 23 2 1 Site visit photographs, Historic Preservation Office staff, October 7, 2021. 22 of 112B-2216 15 13 12 11 9 10 14 8 Site visit photographs, Historic Preservation Office staff, October 7, 2021. Plan is not to scale. 23 of 112B-22 Figure 1. Entry marker for Casa McMath 24 of 112B-22 Figure 2. Wood bridge across natural drainage near the corner of Inwood Place and Possum Trot 25 of 112B-22 Figure 3. Stone retaining wall and steps from driveway to the house 26 of 112B-22 Figure 4. Low site walls and wooded site 27 of 112B-22 Figure 5. View of the house from the east 28 of 112B-22 Figure 6. Front entry 29 of 112B-22 Figure 7. Stone gate and patio next to front entry 30 of 112B-22 Figure 8. Entryway 31 of 112B-22 Figure 9. Dining room 32 of 112B-22 Figure 10. Kitchen 33 of 112B-22 Figure 11. Fabricon room divider between kitchen and living room 34 of 112B-22 Figure 12. Living room 35 of 112B-22 Figure 13. Living room 36 of 112B-22 Figure 14. Alcove off of living room with stained glass 37 of 112B-22 Figure 15. Fabricon wall storage unit in larger bedroom 38 of 112B-22 Figure 16. Second bedroom 39 of 112B-22 Figure 17. Extended roof overhang 40 of 112B-22 Figure 18. Back patio 41 of 112B-22 Figure 19. Back door 42 of 112B-22 Figure 20. Back patio 43 of 112B-22 Figure 21. Patio 44 of 112B-22 Figure 22. Retrofitted lighting is not hardwired and does not meet code 45 of 112B-22 Figure 23. Garage has rotten fascia 46 of 112B-22 Figure 24. Interior of garage exhibits extensive rot resulting from site grading and drainage challenges 47 of 112B-22 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Architects and Designers The following architects and designers are presented in order of prominence relative to the Austin Air-Conditioned Village. Ned A. Cole helped select Austin as the site of the experiment through his role as chairman of the National Association of Home Builders air-conditioning subcommittee, served as project manager for the construction, and designed seven of the houses. H. D. Powers designed five houses, J. Eugene Wukasch designed two, and Fred Winfield Day, Jr., W. R. Coleman, and Oran Vaughan each designed one home in the Village. While some found more critical acclaim in their careers than others, collectively their work is representative of mid-century residential design in Austin’s middle class, suburban neighborhoods. Ned Ansel Cole (1917–2008) Ned Ansel Cole was born in Ferris, Texas. He earned a degree in architecture with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1939 and subsequently began building houses and teaching in the architecture department. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941, Cole served in the South Pacific building infrastructure on Guam and in the Philippines.215 Cole returned to Austin after World War II and with three other veterans founded Fabricon, Inc. The firm designed and produced innovative prefabricated wall storage units that would serve as a centerpiece of Cole’s residential architecture. The founders constructed their factory building in modular sections in a rented garage, before the ultimate site of the facility at 4601 East Fifth Street in Austin had been selected and obtained. The hand-cast concrete block cornerstone of the building reads, “Fabricon, built by four soldiers with their bare hands, 1 June 1946.” In place of traditional site-built, load-bearing walls, the Fabricon wall units turned room dividers into organized storage with built-in sliding doors and drawers. An Austin Statesman article characterized the units as a modern space-saving measure in contrast with outmoded storage methods—“Room-consuming closets, cabinets and trunks are completely out.” 216 Cole’s role in the company was designing the product as well as many of the homes that used it. In response to Austin’s postwar housing shortage, he also designed a four-unit apartment building at 805 W. Tenth Street, replete with Fabricon products, that he and his family occupied along with the other founders. In 1952, Cole designed a demonstration home for the Coleman Company, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas (Figure 41). Prompted by increasing construction of air-conditioned housing, the home provided a training ground for dealers and distributors through nearly fifty copies built in various locations. Though comparable in size and remarkably similar to Cole’s later designs for the Austin Air-Conditioned Village, the house was estimated to sell for $14,000 to $15,000, not including the cost of land; at $1,900, the air-conditioning equipment constituted a high percentage of the price. The same year, Cole also worked with Houston builder P. S. Luttrell on increasing the efficiency of an air-conditioned model intended for large-scale construction.217 Cole was awarded a citation by the ACRI in 1953 for his “initiative and noteworthy leadership in increasing public interest in the use of residential air conditioning.”218 Cole rose to national attention with his design for the NAHB Trade Secrets house (Figures 42–43). Operation Trade Secrets, initiated in 1951 by NAHB president Bill Atkinson, provided a forum for the nation’s leading builders to share innovative cost-cutting strategies and ideas for improving the quality of their product. The initial venture in October was met with such enthusiasm that a series of regional meetings were scheduled later in the year, and a second round of more 215“Ned Ansel Cole,” The Advocate, Sept. 16–18, 2008, accessed Sept. 13, 2020, https://obits.theadvocate.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=ned-ansel-cole&pid=117526971. 216“4 Ex-GI’s Pull New Idea and It Spells Sensation,” The Austin Statesman, Feb. 27, 1948, 15. 217“Air Conditioning Demonstrated,” House & Home 2.4 (Oct. 1952): 140; “Operating Costs are Lower Than You Think…” House & Home 5.3 (Mar. 1954): 110; and “What are the Plans of the Merchant Builders?” 86. 218AAHB and NAHB, Austin Air-Conditioned Village Plan Book, n.p. Section 8 - Page 54 SBR Draft48 of 112B-22 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas than twenty conferences held in 1952.219 As a means of showcasing some of the most notable ideas that surfaced during the meetings, the organizers sought to coalesce the various methods into a single Trade Secrets house to be built throughout the U.S. Of the coordinating committee members, Cole’s status as both architect and builder placed him in an ideal position to design the house, in which he incorporated some of the signature features of his own practice. Tilt-up walls utilizing precut lumber and modular windows, recommendations of the conferences, significantly decreased construction time. Atop these, Cole placed preassembled roof trusses to eliminate the need for interior bearing walls. The resulting open interior provided a notable advantage: sub-contractors could finish walls and flooring without obstructions or the need to cut materials to fit, thereby expediting the process and reducing waste. The trusses also permitted the use of prefabricated or site-built partitions and storage walls, which occupied less floor space and provided more adequate storage than traditional closets. Early in 1953, models of the 1,332 square foot, three-bedroom house were constructed simultaneously by twenty-three builders in fourteen states. Openings drew record crowds, and by May, over 200 builders in the U.S. and Canada had ordered plans for the house. If put into large-scale production, the anticipated selling price of the house was $15,000.220 Cole incorporated a number of planning ideas and construction methods from his earlier work into the house he designed and built with Fabricon for Austin’s Parade of Homes in 1953, itself near-identical to the seven houses he designed for the Austin Air-Conditioned Village. The predominantly rectangular plan, the same from house to house with minor variations, represents a simplification of the L-shaped layout of the Trade Secrets house. Each made use of roof trusses, storage walls, and a new Fabricon item: prefabricated metal gable ends, corrugated to provide attic ventilation (Figures 44–46).221 Despite these commonalities, Cole achieved remarkably diverse exterior appearances in the Air-Conditioned Village homes. Cladding materials included brick, asbestos, and stucco. Variations in massing were effected through the orientation of each house, with its long or short façade facing the street, and the location of its garage or carport, whether abutting the house or connected by a breezeway. The resulting stylistic treatment ranged from a side-gabled Ranch house, with low, horizontal lines, to a front-facing Contemporary dwelling, with exposed beams and columns supporting the gable and detached carport (see Figures 36–37 and 47–48). Cole’s designs for Fabricon were built throughout the state, in Austin, Houston, Fort Worth, and smaller central Texas communities. In 1961, he moved to Baton Rouge to work for another homebuilding company. Shortly thereafter, he founded a consulting firm, ushering in “a second long career as a researcher and consultant for a myriad of projects, including the Superdome in New Orleans, pipelines, geothermal power and many legislative and regulatory issues.”222 In his chronicle of the building of the Superdome, Dave Dixon gives Ned Cole exclusive credit for identification of the site for the stadium as a researcher for Gulf South Research Institute.223 Cole retired in 1983 and died in 2008. 219“Operation Trade Secret,” Architectural Forum 95 (Nov. 1951): 213; “Top Builders Reveal More Trade Secrets,” Architectural Forum 95 (Dec. 1951): 130; and “‘Operation Trade Secrets’ in Full Swing Again,” House & Home 2.2 (Aug. 1952): 108. 220“$15,000 ‘Trade Secrets’ House,” Life 34.1 (Jan. 5, 1953): 8–15; “Is This 1953’s Most Influential House?” House & Home 3.1 (Jan. 1953): 99–107; “First Trade Secrets Houses Attract Record Crowds,” House & Home 3.2 (Feb. 1953): 41; “The Trade Secrets House and the U.S. Builder,” House & Home 3.3 (Mar. 1953): 114–19; and “Trade Secrets Houses Begun in 40 States, Canada, Hawaii,” House & Home 3.5 (May 1953): 55. See also “Ned Cole’s Idea Factory,” Architectural Forum 95 (Aug. 1951): 162–65, 240. 221Cole’s 1953 Parade of Homes entry is located at 4906 Westfield Drive. See “One Big Room Idea Provides for Convenience and Economy,” The American-Statesman, Sept. 20, 1953, E-10 and “What Can You Learn about Summer Cooling from NAHB’s Air- Conditioned Village,” 132. 222“Ned Ansel Cole.” 223Dave Dixon, The Saints, The Superdome, and The Scandal: An Insider’s Perspective (Gretna, Louisiana: Pelican Publishing, 2008): 101. Section 8 - Page 55 SBR Draft49 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 19. Pictured from left: Ned Cole, Len Haeger, Earl Smith, and Dick Hughes of the National Association of OMB No. 1024-0018 Home Builders at Austin Air-Conditioned Village Information Center, 2501 Twin Oaks Drive. Photo by Dewey G. Mears, “What Can You Learn About Summer Cooling from the NAHB’s Air- Conditioned Village,” House & Home 6.2 (Aug. 1954): 129. Figures - Page 88 SBR Draft50 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 36. Utility Home, Ned A. Cole (architect) and George Maxwell (builder), 2602 Park View Drive. OMB No. 1024-0018 Photo by Dewey G. Mears, “Air-Conditioned Village Report,” House & Home 7.3 (Mar. 1955): 152. Figures - Page 102 SBR Draft51 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 37. Utility Home, Ned A. Cole (architect) and George Maxwell (builder), 2602 Park View Drive. OMB No. 1024-0018 National Association of Home Builders Research Institute, Residential Air Conditioning: A Summary Report of the Austin Air Conditioned Village Project (n.p., n.d.), 40. Figures - Page 103 SBR Draft52 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 41. Coleman Co. Demonstration House, Ned A. Cole (architect), Wichita, Kansas, 1952. OMB No. 1024-0018 “Air-Conditioning Demonstrated when Architect Joins with Manufacturer to Present $15,000 Builder’s House,” House & Home 2.4 (Oct. 1952): 140. Figures - Page 106 SBR Draft53 of 112B-22 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 42. Trade Secrets House, Ned A. Cole (architect), built in 14 states across the U.S. in 1953. “The Trade Secrets House and the U.S. Builder,” House & Home 3.3 (Mar. 1953): 114. Figures - Page 107 SBR Draft54 of 112B-22 OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 43. Trade Secrets House, Ned A. Cole (architect), built in 14 states across the U.S. in 1953. “The Trade Secrets House and the U.S. Builder,” House & Home 3.3 (Mar. 1953): 119. Figures - Page 108 SBR Draft55 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 44. Roof trusses create an open interior in a Ned A. Cole-designed house in the Austin Air-Conditioned OMB No. 1024-0018 Village, 1954. Dewey G. Mears Photograph Archive (AR.2014.029), Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas, May 4, 1954, C-19599. Figures - Page 109 SBR Draft56 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 45. Built-in wall storage unit manufactured by Fabricon. Utility Home, Ned A. Cole (architect), George OMB No. 1024-0018 Maxwell (builder), 2602 Park View Drive. Photograph by the author, 2005. Figures - Page 110 SBR Draft57 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas OMB No. 1024-0018 Figure 46. Prefabricated metal gable vent manufactured by Fabricon. Utility Home, Ned A. Cole (architect), George Maxwell (builder), 2602 Park View Drive. Photograph by the author, 2005. Figures - Page 111 SBR Draft58 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 47. Bryant Heater Home, Ned A. Cole (architect), Wallace L. Mayfield (builder), 6602 Nasco Drive. OMB No. 1024-0018 Photo by Dewey G. Mears, “What Can You Learn about Summer Cooling from NAHB’s Air-Conditioned Village,” House & Home 6.2 (Aug. 1954): 136. Figures - Page 112 SBR Draft59 of 112B-22 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 Austin Air-Conditioned Village Historic District, Austin, Travis County, Texas Figure 48. Bryant Heater Home, Ned A. Cole (architect), Wallace L. Mayfield (builder), 6602 Nasco Drive. OMB No. 1024-0018 National Association of Home Builders Research Institute, Residential Air Conditioning: A Summary Report of the Austin Air Conditioned Village Project (n.p., n.d.), 8. Figures - Page 113 SBR Draft60 of 112B-2261 of 112B-22Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Importance: High Vincent Huebinger Wednesday, August 18, 2021 3:17 PM Sadowsky, Steve; Allen, Amber Dane Wilkins RE: Item D-6 2501 Inwood Demo Hugh McMath 1.JPG Steve, just left you and Amber a VM. It is indeed a very interesting house but we are not finding the Mid‐century modern  aspects on 2501 Inwood based on the industry (architectural) standards. Yes there are some pronounced windows but  no lines and angles established in this front elevation or roof. Most mid‐century modern houses built in 1950‐60’s had  had lines with open spaces and pronounced split level roofs. The exterior wood is an odd combination and is not  repairable. We are preparing some backup material for Landmark commissioners to try to emphasize the lack of  element for this agenda. I have another hearing on Monday evening in Grand Prairie, therefore Dane Wilkins out of our  office will be on the live line of the meeting. I am assuming that the postponement policy by staff will be granted (since  it always is) and this is the last item on the agenda. Knowing the process, I believe you will be requesting postponements  at the beginning of the hearing?  We did find 2502 Inwood went to your landmark commission in 2018 and was allowed to be demo’d and rebuilt as a  combination of mid‐century and eclectic. Others on that block were also demo’d.   Regarding Hugh McMath, he was a very impressive tenured professor and acting director for a few years. The most we  have found on him are his international trips to Monterrey, his thesis at MIT and some other articles.    We can agree to postpone in light of your mention of Ned Cole and Plan con, which we did not discover in our  research.  The only thing we know about Ned Cole is that he may have been a student of Professor McMath. We also  need to finish the structural walk Monday morning for the interior. From the exterior, Mike McIntyre has already found  very disturbing damage & conditions, to be documented by the next hearing. We can include his preliminary exterior  findings sometime tomorrow morning in the backup. According to his daughter, Hugh did not design the house.   Let us know the best way we should proceed and your thoughts on if Laura Burkhart would benefit on having some  architectural renderings available next month? She may be able to get someone to prepare something for that time  frame.  Thanks    Vincent G. Huebinger Vincent Gerard & Assoc. Inc 1715 S. Capital Texas Hwy, Suite 207 Austin, Texas 78746       From: Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>   Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 1:55 PM  To: Vincent Huebinger  Cc: Dane Wilkins  Subject: RE: Item D‐6 2501 Inwood Demo          1  Allen, Amber <Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov>  62 of 112B-22Steve Sadowsky Historic Preservation Officer City of Austin, Texas 974-6454      From: Vincent Huebinger  Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 1:47 PM  To: Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>; Allen, Amber <Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov>  Cc: Dane Wilkins  Subject: RE: Item D‐6 2501 Inwood Demo    I will let the owner know. Thanks Steve.         ; Allen, Amber <Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov>  From: Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>   Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 1:37 PM  To: Vincent Huebinger  Cc: Dane Wilkins  Subject: RE: Item D‐6 2501 Inwood Demo    Vince:  I am going to recommend postponement of your application to September.  There was a lot more to the history of this  house than I thought.    Steve Sadowsky Historic Preservation Officer City of Austin, Texas 974-6454      From: Vincent Huebinger  Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 5:12 PM  To: Allen, Amber <Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov>; Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>  Cc: Dane Wilkins  Subject: RE: Item D‐6 2501 Inwood Demo    Yes Ma’am, Dane received it. I will get you our info as soon as possible.         ; Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>  From: Allen, Amber <Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov>   Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 3:16 PM  To: Vincent Huebinger  Cc: Dane Wilkins  Subject: RE: Item D‐6 2501 Inwood Demo    Hi Vincent,    I just sent out an email with this information and more about the upcoming HLC meeting on Monday to all applicants.  Let me know if you did not receive it.     Otherwise, all backup material is due as soon as possible so both staff and the Commissioners can review them prior to  the meeting. I will be uploading all received backup first thing Thursday morning online. The last deadline to upload  backup documents is Sunday, August 22nd at noon.     2 63 of 112B-22Amber Allen  Planner II, Historic Preservation Office  City of Austin – Housing & Planning Department    T: 512.974.3393   E: Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov    From: Vincent Huebinger  Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 12:05 PM  To: Sadowsky, Steve <Steve.Sadowsky@austintexas.gov>; Allen, Amber <Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov>  Cc: Dane Wilkins  Subject: Item D‐6 2501 Inwood Demo         *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Steve/Amber – when Is our deadline for us to get all our info to you for the backup material and our presentation?   Thanks      Vincent G. Huebinger Vincent Gerard & Assoc. Inc 1715 S. Capital Texas Hwy, Suite 207 Austin, Texas 78746     CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   3 64 of 112B-22Historic Landmark Commission September 27, 2021 Proposed Demolition Permit 2501 Inwood Austin Texas Prepared for By Vincent Gerard & Associates, Inc. Land Planning, Development & Zoning Consultants 1715 South Capital Of Texas Highway, Suite 207 Austin, Texas 78746 Vincentgerard.com | (512) 328-2693 65 of 112B-22Architectural Summary *Structure – “Midcentury Modern” by Definition MidCentury Modern Preservation Society- Glass and large windows (some), straight flat lines (no), open and split level Spaces (no), minimal Ornamentation & furniture with many build-ins (shelves), immersed in nature (Yes). Residential Structure does not meet Typical Midcentury Modern Further – numerous additions and extensions occurred post 1948 Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 66 of 112B-22Examples of Midcentury Modern Multiple Lines/Windows/Open Space/Levels Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 67 of 112B-22Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 68 of 112B-22Hugh McMath UT School of Architecture Deans, Past & Present Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 69 of 112B-22Hugh McMath Chairman 1946-50, Acting Chair 1955-56. Would make may trips to Monterrey Mexico Developed courses in the Pre-Hispanic and colonial architecture of Mexico, Is listed as a consultant/Architect for the Instituto Tecnologico of Monterrey Mexico Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 70 of 112B-22Ned Cole Builder & Developer, President of Fabricon in 1950’s. He was an officer (Treasurer) along 4 others in Plancon (builders) Sold Hugh McMath two Lots on Inwood Place. Started a Prefabrication Company (Fabricon) in East Austin – cabinets and shelves, Key player in developing the “Air Conditioned Village” in Austin Moved to Baton Rouge LA in the 1961. Is 2501 Inwood His best example of architecture? What other Ned Cole Homesites been restored/preserved? Plancon had 3 other partners, did Ned Cole actually build this? Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood Antenna Configuration 71 of 112B-22Fabricon Shelves The current owner Would like to donate the existing shelves & closet in the McMath House To the Austin Historical Society Or the University Of Texas. Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 72 of 112B-22John McIntyre PE Report Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 73 of 112B-22Summary *2501 Inwood Does not meet all the criteria for a Historic Structure, *Interesting homesite - 1 Bedroom House, but does not fit into Midcentury Modern, Numerous add-ons and additions, Hugh McMath was certainly a mainstay in the UT School of Architecture however he was not a TITAN as some of the others who came afterward, Ned Cole was a substantial builder in Austin and Key Figure in Air Conditioned Village His Fabricon company, pre-manufactured shelves and cabinets were being introduced all over the country, His work product, McMath’s Cabinets and shelves, have been offered to be preserved by the owner, John McIntyre PE Report unquestionably opined that the structure. is not restorable. Antenna Configuration Historic Landmark Commission• Austin Texas - 2501 Inwood 74 of 112B-22M│M│I McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Architects + Engineers + Consultants 9807 Brandywine Circle │Austin, Texas 78750-2803 512.219-9200 │ www.mmibuildings.com │ TBPE #F4730 McMath Residence 2501 Inwood Place Austin, Texas 78703 Condition Observations MMI Job #: 21031 Report Date: August 19, 2021 75 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 2 / 25 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................ 3 SCOPE OF REPORT ........................................................................................................ 3 EXISTING SITE AND SOIL CONDTIONS ..................................................................... 3 EXISTING CONSTRUCTION ......................................................................................... 4 DISCUSSION OFISSUES .............................................................................................. 5 5.0 Site................................................................................................................................. 5 5.1 Garage........................................................................................................................... 6 5.2 House Foundation ....................................................................................................... 6 5.3 House Superstructure................................................................................................. 7 5.4 Electrical........................................................................................................................ 8 5.4 Plumbing ....................................................................................................................... 8 5.5 HVAC.............................................................................................................................. 9 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................... 9 REPORT LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................ 10 PICTURES ....................................................................................................................... 12 McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 76 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 3 / 25 1 BACKGROUND Address: McMath Residence 2501 Inwood Place Austin, Texas 78703 Legal Description: Inwood Park Subdivision Lot 9 and E 37.5 Ft. of lot 8 Prop I.D.: 112823 Jurisdiction: City of Austin / Full Purpose Annexation County: Travis County 2 SCOPE OF REPORT It is the intent of this report to provide a summary of observations and evaluations of the conditions of the residence at 2501 Inwood Place, Austin, Texas 78703. The opinions expressed in this report are derived from site reviews, plans, reports, photographs, reference material, building codes and information provided to McIntyre & McIntyre, Inc. (MMI) as well as professional experience in engineering design and construction. The opinions in this report are based on readily visible conditions and available information at the time of the site visit. Destructive testing is beyond the scope of this report unless specifically noted otherwise. 3 EXISTING SITE AND SOIL CONDTIONS Location: This site is located near the intersection of Exposition and Enfield Roads in central west Austin (photo 0). Orientation: For purposes of this report, the front of the house will be considered as facing Northwest. McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 77 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 4 / 25 Soil present: The NRCS (USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service) soil maps for this site indicate the site is located in the Fredericksburg Soil Group on shallow soils underlain by limestone, which is confirmed by visible outcroppings throughout the area. Geology: The site is located in the Balcones Fault zone (photo 00), in the transition area between the east/low side of the fault zone (i.e., part of the ancient seashore) and the uplifted west side of the fault zone. Topography: The TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) topographic map indicates that the general terrain slopes toward the Southeast. Movement potential: Anticipated soil movement at this site is low with shallow topsoil over limestone bedrock. Shelf rock is visible at the bottom of the creek under the driveway bridge. 4 EXISTING CONSTRUCTION The following is a brief description of the construction materials and configurations currently in place: Roof: The existing roof is a blend of modified bitumen (garage and flat portion of house) and shallow slope shingles at rear of house. Foundation: The foundation is a conglomeration of a concrete slab on grade (presumed to be conventionally reinforced because of the age as casting) plus several additions that appear to be composed of (unreinforced) stone rubble masonry (such as under the chimney, for example – photo 15). Exterior walls: The exterior wall assembly (from exterior toward interior) is ¾ lap and gap wood siding, felt paper, 2x4 wood studs and ¼” wood paneling. The presence or rating of wall reinforcing could not be determined without destructive testing (which was beyond the scope of this report). Stem walls at the NW utility room are CMU at the lower portion. Windows: The windows are all single pane clear glass (photo 20) in metal frames with no thermal breaks (aka “industrial style”). One window and door on the southeast side of the family room are jalouse type slatted operable windows (photo 61). McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 78 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 5 / 25 Interior walls: Interior walls are drywall or ¼” wood paneling to either side of 2x4 wood studs. Flooring: The interior floors are Saltillo tile throughout, presumably on a thick set mortar bed. Ceilings: Ceilings are drywall to the underside of ceiling joists. Fireplace: The stone masonry fireplace in the front family room appears to have been added sometime after the original construction, although this is not definitive. 5 DISCUSSION OFISSUES 5.0 Site Bridge: The surface planking at the wooden driveway bridge entering this property is near the end of its useful lifetime and should be replaced. The stone masonry abutments supporting each end of the driveway bridge has missing mortar and erosion and should be repaired prior to imposing loads on the bridge. Steps: Steps from the garage to the front door are not uniform and the handrail is deteriorated (and very loose). The steps do not conform to code uniformity requirements. There is no handrail at the four step fight up to the left rear patio from the left front of the house. Badly rusted bolts protruding from the left side of the left rear patio indicate that the guard rail at the patio to grade drop (over 24” in some places) is missing. The existing bolts are so badly deteriorated, they cannot be reused to a new guard attachment. Drainage: The area rises to the back and right of the property. Drainage is routed from the rear right and rear of property, around the back of the property, through two drainage pipes the exit on the left side of the lot (photo 28). These pipes are easily clogged with debris and in the event of overflow, water may rise above finish floor level. Patio: The patio at the left rear side of the house appears composed of square concrete sections that used to have 2x lumber in the section joints (photo 25). There are holes for what appears to have been column anchors (photo 26) that pose a safety hazard. This creates a very uneven and unsafe walk surface. McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 79 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 6 / 25 Guardrails around the southeast perimeter drop off are missing (photo 53-54). A column at the left rear of the property has already been patched at the base (photo 29), is rotting again and no longer bears on the ground. 5.1 Garage Roof: There is readily visible rot at the center of the garage roof overhang. There was active water ponding in the roof above this rot area. The overhead door is in need of repair as well. From casual observation, it appears that water is ponding at several locations on the garage roof. Garage floor/grade separation: Soil grade is above the finish floor on three sides of the garage (photo 7-8). Water stains on the walls and floor and rot at the base of all walls within the garage (photo 9) indicate long term water infiltration to the garage interior. There is rot at the garage overhead door as well (photo 3). 5.2 House Foundation Additions: The foundation is a combination of several additions. There are no plans to indicate the reinforcing and thickness of the slab on grade foundation. The are no permits listed for the various additions on the City of Austin AB+C permit portal. Several of the foundation additions appear to be DIY “old world” stone rubble and mortar style configurations (photo 36). Floor Level: The finish floor was observed to be over 2” out of level by a rough ZipLevel elevation survey. The grades were generally lower at the outside perimeter of the foundation and higher at the middle. Given the numerous foundation additions and the rubble mortar type of construction, it will be very difficult to raise the foundation edges. Finish floor grade separation: The foundation is not 6” above the adjacent finished grade along the rear and right side of the house as required by code. The tops of exterior planters have been constructed too close to the finish floor elevation (photo 12, 18, 20, 41) – to overflow the planter walls, water will be at finish floor. Chimney: There is settlement and cracks in the fireplace and chimney foundation and stone masonry. The fireplace foundation addition appears to have been built over the concrete planter wall that was in place at the time of this (unpermitted) addition. McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 80 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 7 / 25 5.3 House Superstructure Siding: The wood siding is in poor condition around the exterior of the house from long term neglect (Photo 55, for example). For example, the siding is rotted at the room addition adjacent to the fireplace (photo 14, 16). There is, additionally, a roof leak at this room corner (photo 69). The bottom edge of siding is rotting where it is not held off the adjacent flatwork (photo 47). The older siding is oriented vertically and the newer siding is installed horizontally. Exterior wood columns: The wood column at the rear left bedroom corner is not bearing (it is loose) at the base of the column (photo 29). Left side wood porch columns are bearing directly on concrete without an air space as required by code (photo 27). Roof overhang: The roof overhang on the right side appears to have been extended by scabbing on an additional 3 feet (roughly) to the original overhang (photo 30). The overhang joists are now over-spanned and excessively deflecting (photo 31). Walls: There is rot and a water leak in the room addition next to the chimney (photo 69). There is rot in the wall outside the chimney and there is likely mold present at this location. There is a roof leak at the room to the NW corner of the chimney (photo 69). There are water stains that indicates leaks at the utility/laundry room (photo 63-66) and the hall bathroom (photo 67-68). Since destructive testing is beyond the scope of this report, we cannot verify if the exterior walls are insulated. If present, however, it would be R-11 and would not conform to current R-15 requirements. There are several wall penetrations that are improperly flashed (photo 37, 47) and are allowing moisture penetration. Windows: Windows are all single pane clear lites set in metal frames without thermal breaks (photo 59-60). There are jalouse windows and doors at the left side of the house (photo 61). None of the windows conform to current IECC requirements for a conditioned house space. McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 81 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 8 / 25 A number of the windows do not meet the minimum 20”x24” opening required for safety exit in case of am emergency. Roof / Ceilings: The 2x6 joists at the flat roofs only allow R-19 batt insulation which does not comply with IECC roof insulation requirements over conditioned spaces. Roofs: The sloped and shingled roof at the rear portion of the house has a very low slope. It is likely that this roof was originally installed as a low slope “tar and gravel” roof that was later shingled. The slope appears minimal for shingle application which typically requires at least a 3:12 pitch or steeper. 5.4 Electrical Service Entrance: The electric service enters near the left front corner of the house (photo 43). The overhead service entrance does not comply with current AE requirements and will have to be revised during remodeling (insufficient ground clearance). Grounding Electrode: There is a ground rod and copper wire attached to a hose bibb at the rear of the house (photo 44). This is not in conformance to NEC requirements and can lead to potential energizing of the copper water pipes throughout the house. Wiring: There is much DIY wiring (photo 45-46) and lighting (photo 45, 48) present at the roof soffits that does not conform to NEC requirements. Junction boxes, wiring devices, wiring and fixtures are not damp rated or installed to outdoor conditions (photo 45-48). An outdoor receptacle at the SE side of the patio is badly rusted and does not conform to current NEC requirements (wrong cover, badly rusted box, not waterproof installation). There is no arc-fault protection at the living area outlets as required by current code. 5.4 Plumbing Sanitary Sewer: It is presumed that the sanitary sewer piping is cast iron as PVC was not used until the mid-1970’s. As such, this pipe is at its 50-year service life and may require replacement in the near future. McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 82 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 9 / 25 There is some PVC pipe visible at the exterior of the utility room (photo 47) which is part of an addition after the original construction. Domestic Water: The water lines appear to be copper (from visible stub outs at sinks and hose bibbs). Natural Gas: The gas meter is located at the left front corner of the house in a submerged hole that appears to have no drainage (photo 41). The gas meter configuration indicates that the masonry planter was added after original construction (photo 42). The original foundation edge is visible at the hose side of the gas meter recess. 5.5 HVAC Central air conditioning and heating was added as some point after original construction. The present condensing unit (outdoors) is about 10 years old and nearing the end of its service life (typically 10-12 years). The attic ductwork was not readily accessible. No secondary condensate drain was noted on site and the air handler drain pan was not accessible to determine if there was a float switch. 6 CONCLUSIONS The bridge at the drive entrance requires substantial abutment and deck repair to be safe and serviceable for the intended use. The garage has visible rot at the front side of the roof and fascia as well as at the base of interior walls. The soil around three sides of the perimeter is above finished floor, is not properly waterproofed and had resulted in obvious leaks to the garage interior. In addition, the flat roof is ponding water. Drainage at the rear of the house is subject to clogging and consequent water infiltration. There are several areas with insufficient grade/finish floor separation. Columns supporting roof extensions not bear properly or are not bearing at all. The patio has several safety code violations (guardrails, stairs, rough surface and holes), has a very uneven walk surface and expansion joints have rotted away (leaving trip hazards). McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 83 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 10 / 25 The exterior of this house has been poorly maintained and will require major renovation to restore integrity. A number of wall penetrations are poorly flashed or missing flashing. Several roof/wall conditions are no properly flashed and are leaking. Siding is not elevated from adjacent flatwork and planters, and is rotting. Siding has suffered from long term neglect and is deteriorating. The house has had several additions that bear on foundations of dubious quality. The foundation has settled and would require lifting to restore a flat surface to ASIC Guideline1 recommendations. The problem with leveling operations is that some of the additions are not likely to accept the point support of piers (for example) without causing damage and uneven lifting or increased damage to the various sections. The reinforcement thickness of the original foundation may not be sufficient to withstand jacking forces either. Much of the exterior electrical work appears to be DIY installations that do not conform to code and present safety/fire hazards. The ground rod assembly at the rear hose bibb does not conform to code and represents a possible shock hazard to the domestic water piping system. To perform and substantial renovation to this house would require removing most of the house to bare studs to build back to current codes. Many of the water damaged studs would have to be replaced. Windows and doors would have to be removed and replaced. Siding and WRB (Weather Resistant Barrier – like Tyvek or similar) would have to be replaced. Exterior insulation would be needed to meet current wall insulation requirements. Grading a drainage would need revisions to drain properly. The foundation is likely unable to be easily leveled. Exterior wall waterproofing below grade would need to be excavated and re-installed. Roof overhangs would need additional structure or shortening to comply with structural requirements. In short, there would not be enough of the original structure left to be worth keeping. Our recommendation would be to demolish the existing house and start over with structures of known sound integrity and code compliance. 8 REPORT LIMITATIONS The opinions expressed in this report are the result of readily visible and observable conditions and available information at the time of this report and represent a reasonable 1 ASIC Guideline for Evaluation and Repair of Residential Structures McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 84 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 11 / 25 degree of engineering certainty, based on professional engineering experience with design, construction and installation of similar projects. This report is intended as a general opinion of observations, installations, conditions, consequences and recommendations at the time of the site visit. The opinions are not a guarantee of future performance. Should additional information become available that may affect the opinions expressed in this report, we reserve the right to review such information and if warranted, revise or amend the report accordingly. Should you have additional questions about or require further information concerning this report, please do not hesitate to contact us. Submitted for McIntyre and McIntyre, Inc. by: 06/25/2020 John McIntyre, P.E. #52646 Tx / CBP-PHTA McIntyre & McIntyre, Inc. / Architects and Engineers / TBPE #F-4730 9807 Brandywine Circle / Austin, Texas 78750 T: 512-219-9200 / F: 512-219-9399 E: john@mmibuildings.com C:\\MMI\20038\MMI _7730 SpicewoodSpringsPool_U02 McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 85 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 12 / 25 9 PICTURES Subject site 0. Location Map Balcones Fault Zone 00. Geologic Map McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 86 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 13 / 25 Slope 000. Topographic maps Deteriorated mortar Erosion 1. Wooden drive bridge 2. Bridge abutment with erosion McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 87 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 14 / 25 3. Rot at garage front 4. Rot at garage front 5. Rot under garage roof overhang 6. Garge roof ponds water Soil well above door threshold 7. Soil above garage floor grade on 3 sides 8. Soil above garage floor / water leaks McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 88 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 15 / 25 Uneven risers – loose handrail 9. Rotted garage walls - typical 10. Steps and handrail – garage to house Broken rock & coarse mortar wall Planter added after origina construction – no drainage 11. Typical stone rubble wall construction 12. Gas meter at original grade Non-compliant electrical work Rot and interior leak at this corner 13. Varying soffit materials 14. Non permitted addition at fireplace McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 89 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 16 / 25 Rot Existing planter wall Stone rubble foundation – hollow flooring at interior 15. Foundation next to chimney 16. Wall rot & leak at “chimney” addition 17. Chimney at front left 18. Planter extension at chimney Masonry crack Planter above finish floor Planter wall at finish floor 19. Masonry cracks at chimney 20. Deteriorated siding McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 90 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 17 / 25 Stone rubble foundation Planter wall No guardrails Fence falling down Rot at post base 21. Room addition left of chimney 22. Rotted and falling down left side fence 23. No handrail at steps 24. Improper post bearing Unsecured table Missing joint fillers 25. Uneven patio and missing joint fillers 26. Voids at column (?) bases McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 91 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 18 / 25 Column does not bear at base Clog point at rear drainage 27. Improper column bearing 28. Rear drainage channel Scabbed on joist extensions Column base does not bear on ground – base has rotted and been replaced already 29. Rotted column base – no bearing 30. Extended roof overhang Roof sag Buckled flashing No seals at window frames 31. Typical casement windows 32. Single un-insulated frame windows -typ McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 92 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 19 / 25 Tree into roof Typ rubble foundation 33. Shallow pitch roof at rear 34. Typ rubble filled foundation wall Shallow roof slope Tree into roof Rubble foundation 35. Roof sag at extended overhang 36. Utility room – rubble foundation Porous rubble foundation 37. No flashing at wall penetration 38. Rot / leaks at utility room wall base McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 93 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 20 / 25 39. Rot / leaks at water heater closet 40. Roof flashing at flat roof Meter pit No visible drainage Added planter wall 41. Gas meter at added planter 42. Gas meter pit (looking down) Electrical grounding conductor and ground rod 43. Electrical service entrance 44. Ground rod at rear hose bibb McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 94 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 21 / 25 Non-conforming electrical work 45. DIY electrical wiring and fixtures 46. improper joist boring Holes not in middle 1/3 of joist No j-boxes 47. Improper wall penetrations 48. Improper wiring methods and materials 49. Badly rusted j-box at patio edge 50. Kitchen McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 95 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 22 / 25 Windows do not meet 20”x24” opening size 51. No arc fault protection at bedrooms 52. Crack at garage wall Cracked CMU Rusted anchor bolts 53. No guardrail at patio edge 54. Rusted anchor bolts at patio edge Tree growing into structure 55. Tree into roof/wall structure 56. Tree bearing on roof Tree bearing on roof with rot McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 96 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 23 / 25 No sealant No flashing Improper wiring methods and materials 57. Light fixtures not rated for outdoor use 58. improper wall penetrations Roof leak behind wall 59. Settlement at fireplace 60. Single pane uninsulated window 61. Jalouse window and door 62. Water stain in kitchen McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 97 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 24 / 25 63. Water stain in utility 64. Water stain in utility 65. Water stain in utility 66. Water leaks at exterior wall - utility 67. Water leak at bathroom ext’r wall 68. Water damage at bathroom ext’r wall McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 98 of 112B-22Condition Observations / 2501 Inwood Place Page 25 / 25 69. Water leak at room next to chimney 70. McIntyre & McIntyre Incorporated Austin, Texas 99 of 112B-22100 of 112B-22101 of 112B-22102 of 112B-22Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Subject: Peter Komassa Thursday, October 21, 2021 10:48 AM PAZ Preservation Re: Historic Landmark Commission Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged Hi Amber, please find my statement below:    Greetings HLC, as an owner of a house adjacent to 2501 Inwood Pl, I'm strongly in favor of the proposed Historic Zoning  designation.  The 'McMath House' has a rich history, a celebrated mid‐century aesthetic, and, in many ways, it serves as  the cornerstone of the Deep Eddy neighborhood given its prominent positioning on the Possum Trot throughway.  This  is, unequivocally, a historic landmark that I hope our community can preserve.  Thank you for your time.    Best,  Peter Komassa      On Wed, Oct 13, 2021 at 8:37 AM PAZ Preservation  wrote:  2501 Inwood Place was referred to the Historic Landmark Commission by our office. The demolition item was discussed  at the September 27th meeting. The Commission saw that the property had potential of historic designation and has  initiated Historic Zoning on the property. This zoning initiation will be open for public hearing and discussion again at  the October 25th meeting. If you’d like to participate, the meeting will be held in‐person at Austin City Hall on Monday,  October 25th at 6:00 PM. If you cannot attend and wish to make a statement, you may email me a written statement of  whether you are in favor or in opposition of the Commission‐proposed Historic Zoning of the property.  Let me know if you have any further questions.  Hi Peter,              Thanks,  Amber Allen  Planner II, Historic Preservation Office  City of Austin – Housing & Planning Department  1 103 of 112B-22T: 512.974.3393   E: Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov  From: Peter Komassa  Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2021 3:24 PM  To: PAZ Preservation <Preservation@austintexas.gov>  Subject: Historic Landmark Commission                 Best,  Peter  *** External Email - Exercise Caution ***   Hi there, I'm emailing about the historic home at 2504 Inwood Pl, as an immediate neighbor.  Would you be able to  share the HLC assessment/determination of the house as discussed at the 27‐Sep‐21 HLC meeting?  I am a neighbor of  the house and was traveling during the proceedings, unfortunately.  If the house has been approved to be demo'd,  would I be able to submit a belated objection?  Thanks for your help.   CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking  links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   2 104 of 112B-22Allen, Amber From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Tony Woodbury Sunday, October 24, 2021 10:40 AM PAZ Preservation Peter Komassa; Audrey Turner; Pattie Epps Oct. 25 Hearing Historic Zoning for Casa McMath, 2501 Inwood Pl. *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Amber,    My name is Anthony Woodbury, and I have owned and lived in the house at 2502 Quarry Rd, 78703, since 2000.  I  understand from my next‐door neighbor Peter Komassa that there’s going to be a hearing on Monday, Oct. 25, on  Historic Zoning for Casa McMath, 2501 Inwood Place. Like Peter, I share a property line (in back) with Casa McMath.    Last month, and in August, I sent you short, handwritten notes against a proposal to demolish Casa McMath. I would  now like to submit a statement in FAVOR of Historic Zoning for that property.    I strongly endorse Peter Komassa’s statement below, where he says:    "The 'McMath House' has a rich history, a celebrated mid‐century aesthetic, and, in many ways, it serves as the  cornerstone of the Deep Eddy neighborhood given its prominent positioning on the Possum Trot throughway.  This is,  unequivocally, a historic landmark that I hope our community can preserve.”    On the “other side” of this issue, I found a loosely‐written ‘Property Evaluation’ of the McMath House, prepared by an  architectual firm called Vincent Gerard & Associates, Inc. (https://vincentgerard.com/about‐us/) that is summarized  here:    https://bandc.crccheck.com/historic‐landmark‐commission/368302‐d22‐2501‐inwood‐pl‐presentation‐updated/ (I can’t  find the original document but would be glad to send it to you if you wish)    I’d like to use my comment here to discuss that document, which concludes, on at least three grounds, that the McMath  House is not worthy of preservation:     The property is not typical of ‘Mid‐Century Modern’ ("The architecture is a mix of three or more architectures  and does not conform to the styles of International or Mid‐century Modern”)    The house is in poor condition   McMath was not considered a ’Titian’ (lol) of architecture, unlike other notable UT architects  None of these arguments are valid. Just because a property is atypical of some label (here, ‘Mid-Century Modern’) or shows multiple influences doesn’t necessarily make it aesthetically any less worthy (Bach was atypical of the German Baroque; Picasso was atypical in any of the many movements he joined and was most famous for his “mixing”, which was properly understood as eclecticism). The claim that the house is in poor condition is irrelevant, given that landmark properties, virtually by definition, are meant to undergo restoration efforts. 1 105 of 112B-22 And the claims about McMath’s stature are unsubstantiated, unsupported by evidence, and irrelevant. The essence of the argument FOR preservation is that the property is unique and beautiful, whereas no such case is made for what would replace it if it were demolished. And one final note about Hugh McMath’s cultural significance—something that makes me very proud, since, like him, I’m also a UT professor. He was a very early proponent of cultural diversity in Austin on a number of levels. He was a  major exponent of Mexican architecture, especially that of Monterrey (consistently misspelled in the Vincent Gerard  document as ‘Monterey’), a city with incredibly striking modern architecture, with such an interest in bringing about  awareness of Mexican architecture here in the US that he "was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of Great  Britain for his work to develop cultural relations with Mexico” ( https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utaaa/00114/aaa‐ 00114.html ). He was not, as the Vincent Gerard document asserts, mainly concerned with the influence of American  architecture in Mexico, as shown by his long‐term writing and teaching about Mexico. Likewise, and touchingly, I found  this remembrance of a man named John Chase, whose life and historical importance Hugh McMath significantly  influenced:    'In 1950, Chase became the first African-American to enroll at UT, just as the landmark Sweatt v. Painter case was heading to the Supreme Court. Chase didn’t know UT was segregated until the Dean of Architecture, Hugh McMath, asked him, “Are you familiar with the case that’s in front of the Supreme Court right now?”  "Chase was vaguely familiar with the case—and from his parents’ experience, he was deeply familiar with how often African-Americans got the doors of the ivory tower slammed in their faces. But that didn’t daunt him. With McMath’s encouragement, he submitted his UT application.' https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/04/texas-loses-a-trailblazer-john-chase-dies/ In conclusion then, I strongly advocate the preservation and historic zoning designation for Casa McMath on both aesthetic and cultural grounds. Sincerely yours, Tony Anthony C. Woodbury 2502 Quarry Rd. Austin, TX 78703   CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   2 106 of 112B-22Brummett, Elizabeth From: Sent: To: Subject: James Taylor Sunday, October 24, 2021 11:44 AM Brummett, Elizabeth 2501 Inwood Pl --Opposition to Applicant's demolition request *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Dear Historic Landmark Commission Members:     I am writing to you to share concerns about the pending request to demolish the house at 2501 Inwood  Place.  I have followed the process closely, as my wife and I own the home adjacent to the property.  We want  to register our opposition to granting the demolition permit on the basis that the structure and landscaping  are part of a unique mid‐century era property that could be preserved and treasured, as carefully studied and  reported by city staff. I especially want to highlight Mr. McMath’s contributions to education, architecture and  relationships with Mexico.      My wife and I were next door neighbors to Ms. Quita McMath, daughter of Hugh McMath.  And before she  sold the property, we had the opportunity to get to know her and hear stories about family travels to Mexico  and her father’s appreciation and study of Mexican art and history and his personal connections to Monterrey  Tech University (Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey).  Those connections led to academic summer trips to  learn about Mexico’s art and culture. But Mr. McMath also worked to bring Monterrey Tech’s nascent  architecture program into the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, a first for any Mexico  institution at the time.     My personal background of growing up in northern Mexico made it easy for me to connect with Quita and her  stories and travels to Mexico. While our encounter was brief, her recollections and remembrances of traveling  throughout Mexico, and Monterrey in particular, were very vivid.  Because of Mr. McMath’s commitment to  reaching across international borders to build relationships between the University of Texas and Monterrey  Tech, that relationship is even deeper and more vibrant today, expanding into other academic areas like the  McCombs School of Business and the School of Engineering. And as it relates to UT’s School of Architecture,  McMath’s mission to expose students to Mexican history, culture and architecture, and connect with other  universities in Mexico, including Monterrey Tech, remain an important part of the curriculum and are now led  by Juan Miró, distinguished teaching professor and internationally renowned architect.     We urge the Commission to vote to preserve the historical and architectural significance of “Casa McMath”.    James Taylor      CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   1 107 of 112B-22108 of 112B-22109 of 112B-22From: Sent: To: Subject: PAZ Preservation Tuesday, December 14, 2021 2:32 PM Brummett, Elizabeth FW: Case C14H-2021-0180-Casa McMath: Dec. 14 Planning Commission Public Hearing Brummett, Elizabeth Follow Up Flag: Flag Status: Follow up Flagged FYI    Amber Allen  Planner II, Historic Preservation Office City of Austin – Housing & Planning Department    T: 512.974.3393  E: Amber.Allen@austintexas.gov    ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐  From: Peter Komassa  Sent: Monday, December 13, 2021 9:41 PM  To: Tony Woodbury  Cc: PAZ Preservation <Preservation@austintexas.gov>; Audrey Turner        ; Pattie Epps  Subject: Re: Case C14H‐2021‐0180‐Casa McMath: Dec. 14 Planning Commission Public Hearing    *** External Email ‐ Exercise Caution *** Thanks Tony.      Hi Elizabeth, I own and live in the home at 2504 Quarry Road, and I would reaffirm my prior support for 2501 Inwood  Place being zoned as a historic site.      In short, the 'McMath House' has a rich history, a celebrated mid‐century aesthetic, and, in many ways, it serves as the  cornerstone of the Deep Eddy neighborhood given its prominent positioning on the Possum Trot throughway.  This is,  unequivocally, a historic landmark that I hope our community can preserve.      Kind Regards,  Peter Komassa    On Fri, Dec 10, 2021 at 2:32 PM Tony Woodbury  wrote:                  I am responding to your call for written comments on the Planning Commission hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 14. 25, on SF‐ Contact: Elizabeth Brummett, Historic Landmark Commission  Re: Case C14H‐2021‐0180‐Casa McMath: Dec. 14 Planning Commission Public Hearing  My name is Anthony Woodbury, and I have owned and lived in the house at 2502 Quarry Rd, 78703, since 2000.   Dear Elizabeth,    1 110 of 112B-22https://bandc.crccheck.com/historic‐landmark‐commission/368302‐d22‐2501‐inwood‐pl‐presentation‐updated/  To begin with, I strongly endorse this statement by my next‐door neighbor, Peter Komassa, whose back property  In August and September, I sent messages opposing a request to demolish Casa McMath, and in October, I  "The 'McMath House' has a rich history, a celebrated mid‐century aesthetic, and, in many ways, it serves as the  I’d like to use my comment here to discuss that document, which concludes, on at least three grounds, that the  For the record, then, let me repeat my October message, in which I lay out my reasons for supporting SF‐3‐H‐NP  On the “other side” of this issue, I found a loosely‐written ‘Property Evaluation’ of the McMath House, prepared  3‐H‐NP Historic Zoning for Casa McMath, 2501 Inwood Place. I share a property line (in back) with Casa McMath, and  have always admired it. I therefore am now writing IN FAVOR OF HISTORIC ZONING for this property, to be entered into  the record for the December 14 hearing.      submitted a statement in FAVOR of Historic Zoning for that property.      Historic Zoning for Casa McMath (and my apologies if that’s already a part of the record.)      line is also adjacent to Casa McMath. Peter wrote:      cornerstone of the Deep Eddy neighborhood given its prominent positioning on the Possum Trot throughway.  This is,  unequivocally, a historic landmark that I hope our community can preserve.”      by an architectual firm called Vincent Gerard & Associates, Inc. (https://vincentgerard.com/about‐us/) that is  summarized here:      (I can’t find the original document but would be glad to send it to you if you wish)      McMath House is not worthy of preservation:        architectures and does not conform to the styles of International or Mid‐century Modern”)             Modern’) or shows multiple influences doesn’t necessarily make it aesthetically any less worthy (Bach was atypical of  the German Baroque; Picasso was atypical in any of the many movements he joined and was most famous for his  “mixing”, which was properly understood as eclecticism).       are meant to undergo restoration efforts.           case is made for what would replace it if it were demolished.     And one final note about Hugh McMath’s cultural significance—something that makes me very proud, since, like    him, I’m also a UT professor. He was a very early proponent of cultural diversity in Austin on a number of levels. He was  a major exponent of Mexican architecture, especially that of Monterrey (consistently misspelled in the Vincent Gerard  document as ‘Monterey’), a city with incredibly striking modern architecture, with such an interest in bringing about  awareness of Mexican architecture here in the US that he "was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of Great  The house is in poor condition  McMath was not considered a ’Titian’ (lol) of architecture, unlike other notable UT architects  The claim that the house is in poor condition is irrelevant, given that landmark properties, virtually by definition,  The essence of the argument FOR preservation is that the property is unique and beautiful, whereas no such  None of these arguments are valid. Just because a property is atypical of some label (here, ‘Mid‐Century  And the claims about McMath’s stature are unsubstantiated, unsupported by evidence, and irrelevant.  The property is not typical of ‘Mid‐Century Modern’ ("The architecture is a mix of three or more  *  *  *  2 111 of 112B-22 'In  "Chase  https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/04/texas  1950, Chase became the first African‐American to enroll at UT, just as the landmark Sweatt v. Painter  Britain for his work to develop cultural relations with Mexico” ( https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utaaa/00114/aaa‐ 00114.html ). He was not, as the Vincent Gerard document asserts, mainly concerned with the influence of American  architecture in Mexico, as shown by his long‐term writing and teaching about Mexico. Likewise, and touchingly, I found  this remembrance of a man named John Chase, whose life and historical importance Hugh McMath significantly  influenced:        case was heading to the Supreme Court. Chase didn’t know UT was segregated until the Dean of Architecture, Hugh  McMath, asked him, “Are you familiar with the case that’s in front of the Supreme Court right now?”       was vaguely familiar with the case—and from his parents’ experience, he was deeply familiar  with how often African‐Americans got the doors of the ivory tower slammed in their faces. But that didn’t daunt him.  With McMath’s encouragement, he submitted his UT application.'            both aesthetic and cultural grounds.                        CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links  or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to  cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.   In conclusion then, I strongly advocate the preservation and historic zoning designation for Casa McMath on  Anthony C. Woodbury  2502 Quarry Rd.  Austin, TX 78703  ‐loses‐a‐trailblazer‐john‐chase‐dies/  Sincerely yours,  Tony   3 112 of 112B-22