Doesn’t the Charles Moore House seem like a playful secret? It stands here on Quarry Road in Austin. This wasn’t just any house. It was the last home of Charles Moore himself. He was an architect, an educator and a proponent of postmodernism.
Charles Moore came to the University of Texas in the mid-1980s. He then set about creating this unique space. It became his eighth and final house. Moore lived here until his death in 1993.
Moore was no stranger to modernism. He had even been a teaching assistant to Louis Kahn. But Moore wanted more than the spare simplicity of modernism. He’d seen the world. He knew “less is more” didn’t satisfy his taste.
Moore once said he liked using familiar pieces in new ways. He favored cheap pieces combined unexpectedly. He thought it a better revolution than inventing crazy shapes. The Charles Moore House embodies this philosophy perfectly.
The Charles Moore House sits on the site of a 1930s bungalow. It features a studio. It also boasts a lap pool and beautiful courtyards. Influences range from the 17th-century Roman Baroque architect Francesco Borromini to American vernacular styles. Moore added his own twist with toys, tchotchkes, and souvenirs.
He told The New York Times in 1987 that these friendly things made him comfortable. The hearth was described as “Argentinian rococo” with giant purple and green painted palm leaves. You won’t find that style anywhere else! These whimsies make the house so engaging.
Charles Moore wasn’t afraid of controversy. Some modernists dismissed him as Postmodern. Before his death, Moore questioned the labels of “rational” versus “irrational” architects. He thought the opposite of rational was “real.”
Kevin Keim wrote that Charles Moore always insisted joy and humor were valuable. Moore’s collaborations and buildings show humanity as his greatest strength. He saw that strength in others.
Moore embraced “more” instead of “less.” He saw architecture as part of our culture. He relied on the energy of everyone involved. This inclusive approach needs confidence and humor.
Even now, the award-winning Charles Moore House is well-preserved. It’s open for tours. It stands as proof that in architecture, less is often a bore. It’s a testament to Moore’s wild style and unique vision. The Charles Moore Foundation is located here in Austin. This place preserves the legacy of this important architect.