This house was built in 1955, at the peak of Bruce Goff’s incredible architectural mind. To many, this work is considered his best, with its eclectic style and mind-bending structure. The house features an unconventional interior, giving it the feel of being tucked away in a cave when in reality its foundation was on Norman, OK soil. The walls are made of quarried ironstone with placements of clear and blue glass scattered throughout. Overall, the house is very whimsical and magical, making it hard to believe that it rests within the county lines that also houses the University of Oklahoma. This shows how impressive and powerful Goff was with his work. He had the ability to make something so eccentric and movie-like yet extremely accessible. To me, this is what makes architecture so personal. It doesn’t matter what your style is or where home is for you; you can make beauty anywhere you are to match what you desire. And that’s exactly what Bruce Goff did.

The structure was demolished in 2016 due to a roof collapse and insufficient funds to keep it at the level of beauty it requires. Seeing the fall of this piece of artwork should be an encouragement to all of us to recognize and appreciate the work around us while we can. In a world that is constantly looking for the “next big thing,” we often lose sight of what we already have. While it’s a shame the Bavinger House is no longer around, it serves as a reminder that some of the most impactful architecture is right in front of our eyes.

Resource: https://www.archdaily.com/171574/ad-classics-bavinger-house-bruce-goff