On an architectural day trip, my classmates
and I drove out to Ransom Canyon, a bit outside our usual campus life in
Lubbock, Texas. Ransom Canyon is home to
more than one unique house, including The Steel House.
The Steel House, or the Bruno House as it
is often referred to as, took many, many years to construct. Thirty-four, in fact. It was designed and built by architect and
sculptor Robert Bruno, with design beginning in 1973 and construction finishing
in 2008, just months before the artist passed away. His family still enjoys the home today, when
they decide not to open the home up to tours and exhibits.
The interior of the home, reached by
crossing an entrance bridge, is not especially large, but is spacious with structural
openings in unexpected areas, such as between the bedroom and living room. Detail on the stairs includes stained glass,
which allow diffused light to warm the space.
The exterior of the house is not only unique in shape and
material, but also cantilevers over the edge of the canyon and lake it sits
upon. The house overlooks the tree-lined
lake, allowing for a peaceful, secluded and private feeling.
The house seemed to incompliance the
artist's entire vision, and I can imagine Mr. Bruno was very pleased with the
finished product.
For more information, please visit http://www.travelintelligence.com/travel-writing/a-tour-of-the-steel-house-in-lubbock-texas
Pictures of the construction can be found
at http://www.robertbruno.com/
