Shutter Mike Photography

Phoenix has pockets of mid-century modern architecture scattered throughout the Valley, both commercial and residential.  This makes sense as the city began to grow significantly after World War II and into the 1950s and 60s.  Tourists from the Midwest and East Coast came in droves and many returned for a permanent stay.  The climate and growth were attractive to influxes of new residents and more people meant more housing was necessary.  At a time when homes were still designed by architects, rather than assembly line cookie-cutters of every other house, there were several Phoenix architects that took up the task of designing homes for Phoenix’s growing population and they incorporated the design aesthetic of the era into these houses.  Among some of the better known were Ralph Haver, Alfred Beadle and Calvin Straub.

As with most things, the value of this architecture was not realized until it was too late in some cases.  But there are fantastic examples of preserved and restored Mid-Century Modern architecture throughout Phoenix.  And a dedicated and enthusiastic “fan club” of sorts is working to keep the style alive and remembered.   Modernphoenix.net is leading the charge and presents a very well done home tour every spring.  These images are from the 2010 tour that focused on the Paradise Gardens neighborhood in North Central Phoenix.