Mid-century mod grows up

Alison Saunders grew up in a ranch-style house in Broadmoor that for years she detested.

As an architectural historian with the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation, however, she has a newfound respect for this type of mid-century modern architecture, and she launched a Web site to celebrate Baton Rouge’s architectural past.

Redstickmodern.com started in mid June as a way for Saunders to showcase some of her favorite Baton Rouge architectural treasures.

“It’s nothing more than a hobby, really,” Saunders says. “But I would like people to have a greater appreciation for some of the great architecture we have here that often goes unnoticed.”

Redstick Modern’s primary focus is mid-century modern, but Saunders doesn’t shy away from “horrible remodeling jobs, other interesting modern architecture and all things building-related that blow your hair back.” She also showcases contemporary Baton Rouge architecture, like designer David Baird’s Christian Street home/office/art gallery, and Rick and Susan Moreland’s cubist feat in the Garden District.

Some of Saunders favorites include a split-level ranch reminiscent of the Brady Bunch house near Webb Park Golf Course, and a sprawling front-gabled ranch in Sherwood Forest. Both conjure up images of an ashtray in every room, cocktails before dinner, “tiki torches, Bob and Carol barbecuing on the front lawn, lots of giddy laughter and enough mai tais to drown Don Ho.”

As Redstick Modern grows in profile Saunders says she hopes to throw some commercial architecture into the mix, as well as some interior shots of the homes she features. As an architectural historian she also hopes to make people more aware of the tax credits available to both commercial and residential property at least 50 years old.

“There are a lot of reasons to draw attention to some of these properties,” she says. “My hope is that a greater appreciation for this style will arise and that people will become invested in saving and preserving them. For people my age these are our historical buildings. We have to do something so that they don’t end up like the geodesic dome.” redstickmodern.com