Arizona Architecture from the Archives

Drake completed the design for the Richert Residence in Carefree in 1965. In most of his projects in the Phoenix area, Drake incorporated natural desert landscaping, as shown in this rendering.

Blaine Drake had a remarkably long career as a leading modernist architect in the Phoenix area, practicing from 1945 until 1985. The Brecheisen Residence in Paradise Valley, designed in 1966, is typical of Blaine Drake’s residential projects of the 1960s.

The north elevation drawing of the First Methodist Church building shows the prominent 120-foot tower. Located in downtown Mesa, the building opened in 1954.

Designed by William P. Bruder in 1989 and built in 1991, the Theuer Residence is located in the Phoenix urban village of Ahwatukee. Built with cinderblock, glass, weathered steel, and copper, the residence has solid walls facing the subdivision and glass walls to the garden and a view of South Mountain in the distance. The residence was featured in Architectural Record Houses of 1993.

The design for the Weiss Residence is based on a multi-axis triangular plan intended to maximize both views and privacy on its mountainside site. The design and its architect won the Honor Award from The American Institute of Architects, Arizona Chapter/Phoenix Home and Garden in 1989. The Metal Construction Association also recognized the residence and its architect in the form of the Honor Award that same year.

Harold Housley
Archivist, Design and the Arts Special Collections

Harold.Housley@asu.edu 
(480) 965-6370