If Tinder was a dating app site for houses instead of people, the home at 4010 West 13th St., our next Lawrence Modern hookup location, would be a definite swipe to the right. A tempting A-frame beauty with solid bone structure and sexy curb appeal, she was love at first sight for Chris and Tom North, a Portland, Ore. couple seeking to buy a midcentury modern retirement home in Lawrence during the pandemic.
“The house and site were a perfect fit for us,” said Chris, an artist and designer.
Only later did they fully realize that the house had, shall we say, some previous baggage. The former owners smoked heavily, the basement had issues, and the kitchen was dated. She needed a total makeover.
“It was a mess,” said Tom, a structural engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Norths hired K-State assistant professor Chris Fein, AIA, to handle the remodeling design and Steve Koester of Koester Construction to do the reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. A bedroom wing with a bathroom was added, new architectural lighting was installed to enhance the house’s lofty foyer, living room, kitchen, and dining spaces, and the soaring curtain wall—the house’s main attraction—was replaced with energy-efficient glass. Cool midcentury bits like the colorful modernistic light fixture above the entry stairs were, thankfully, left untouched. Two years in the making, the result is an attractive and period-correct refresh of this 60-year-old gem.
We are delighted and thankful that the Norths have invited Lawrence Modern to view their creation in the West Hills neighborhood, an area with a diverse collection of midcentury architecture. We’re also excited to hear what it’s really like to live with their new long-term partner, warts and all.
The open house will be on November 2nd from 1:00 – 3:00, with a presentation at 2:00 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there!
—Tom, Bill, Dennis & Tim
Lawrence Modern home 