Dateline: Lemon City, 1915 Pauls Safari Into Miamis History. ________________ Architects Build Community: the Landing of George Pfeiffer in Miami. “Miami is fast becoming a park of homes,” writes prominent German-born architect George L. Pfeiffer in 1914, having only a few years before (in 1909) relocated to Miami from Chicago, bringing with him his considerable reputation, accomplishment, and undeniable professional genius. Among his notable early projects following the move was the coral-rock extravaganza of a home pictured, built for his own family in Lemon City and christened “Villa Florenze.” The sudden appearance of so luminary a dreamsmith in a small-town Miami actively striving to (somehow!) become “more” was an event not without its impact, and viewed as a highly auspicious occurence. With some excitement, people could only wonder what enriching contributions might take shape within the architectural landscape they knew. Whatever glories they might have imagined were almost certainly surpassed by the work that Pfeiffer was to do. He was all about building homes suitable to their climate and environment, a notion that now seems more common sense than any lightning bolt flash of heated genius. It must be borne in mind, however, that “common sense” is among the most poorly named of phenomena, often becoming “self-evident” only after genius has first clearly pointed the way. The demand for common sense has always far outstripped available supply! _________ He wrote of Miami’s climate, “In addition to the great blessing of an even and moderate temperature throughout the year, the southern portion of Florida, and especially its east coast, has another asset of inestimable value. “The ocean breezes, moving almost uninterruptedly from the east, southeast and south across the peninsula, operate as a perpetual fan system and distribute a constant supply of fresh, invigorating air; a condition largely responsible for the great comfort and general health we enjoy even during the midsummer period.” Consequently, he was all about cross-ventilation, ample and ventilated attic space, hallways designed so as to “funnel wind,” a screened-in (heat producing) kitchen connected to, but never inside of, a home. and ceiling heights of “not less than nine feet.” Building the homes of the beautiful and locally-quarried limestone rock didnt hurt, either; stone offers superior natural insulation. __________________ Importantly, notable architect L. Murray Dixon, today remembered primarily for his outstanding design work in the Moderne, or “deco” style, associated with Pffeiffer’s firm and worked with him closely in 1940 and 1941, two critical years in his soaring professional arc. Among the architectural contributions to Miami made by George Pfeiffer and Co.: the celebrated Hallissee Hall, built in 1912 at 1475 NW 12th Avenue as the home for prominent merchant and the City’s third mayor, John Sewell. The building still stands, having received Federal and local historical designations, and serves as administrative offices for the Jackson medical complex. The J. W. Warner House (1912) at 111 SW 5th Ave., anchoring the South River Drive Historic District. A gem of the “Classical Revival” style, the stately columns and front porch of the white home stand out quite noticeably as an apparent leftover from the movie set of Gone With the Wind, just before crossing the Flagler Street Bridge towards downtown. And more! But Heck! Im out of time! (One of the things I enjoy about writing in the FB format are the built-in length limitations. Even though some may roll their eyes even as I write, thinking about how I do tend to go on, believe me, the limits help! Anyone who so desires can just enjoy the pics, and I am completely cool with that. My writing is, after all and in a way, an elaborate caption amplifying the story they tell, alone. Thank you for your encouragement and support. I am grateful.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 23:45:18 +0000
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