Landmark of the Future

Historic Boulder Inc. is delighted to be a part of the terrific Month of Modern activities with the ‘Hoby Wagener’ tour. When Historic Boulder initiated the “Landmarks of the Future” tours in the 1990’, the goal was to illustrate that in every historic era of the life there are buildings designed and built that embody the spirit of that time. The best of these might become landmarks in the future. Historic preservation is not only about the past but also the present and the future.

An award designed and presented by Todd Reed was granted to one home that best exemplifies the criteria considered when determining whether a building is worthy of being a landmark. A second award granted special recognition to the home who received the most votes from the tour attendees.

“I’m involved in Month of Modern primarily to show my enthusiasm for our community and design, ” Reed explains. “I am truly honored to make and donate these awards and be a part of this truly special and important event. ”

It was exciting to have 5 Hobart Wagener homes that reflect the rich diversity of livable, innovative architecture and design found throughout his buildings. Historic Boulder was asked by the Month of Modern organizers to give an award to the home that best exemplifies the criteria one would consider when determining whether a building is worthy of being a landmark. For the Month of Modern ‘Hoby Wagener’ tour, leaders from Historic Boulder evaluated the homes based and determined that the house known as ‘Bluebell’, best exemplifies the qualifications. Please see the evaluation criteria below. While all the homes on the tour represented the best of Hoby Wagener, a 2nd award granted special recognition to the home who received the most votes from the tour attendees. The ‘Wagener House’ garnered the most votes. Contratulations to the homeowner-stewards of these awards for exemplifying compassion and making preservation of these homes a priority.

Bluebell House

Wagener House

Hobart ‘Hoby’ Wagener

Hobart D. Wagener was an architect in Boulder from 1950 to 1985. He worked with James M. Hunter prior to launching his own firm in 1953. For 32 years he worked with community leaders and homeowners to design and build over 200 public and private buildings in Boulder and throughout Colorado. Among many others, “Hoby’s” projects included St. John’s Episcopal Chapel, First United Methodist Sanctuary, Fairview High School, and the First National Bank. He also designed the University of Colorado Kittredge Dormitories and Williams Village. Sixteen of his buildings were featured in architectural and professional publications; ten received national or regional honor awards. In 1971, ‘Hoby’ was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. In 1985 he was recognized as the Colorado Architect of the Year by the American Institute of Architects.

Bluebell House

YEAR: 1956
This house was one of the first designs by Hobart Wagener after he opened his office in the 1950’s. It is a simple single-level, ‘Ranch style’ house which originally had the main building connected to the garage with a breeze way. The main building is clad in panelized sections of brick with a large triangular window wall extending up to the low gabled roof.

Wagener House

YEAR: 1965
This is the third and final house that Wagener designed for his family over his lifetime. It is a design statement of solidity and transparency. The building is square in plan with the central portion being a lofty living space crowned by a huge, pyramidal skylight. This building has been featured in multiple magazines, including the New York Times and Sunset Magazine and has won multiple design awards, including the Award of Excellence from the Architectural Record in 1967.

Landmark of the Future Evaluation Criteria

The basic idea was to evaluate the homes on the tour based on the National Historic Preservation Standards established by the Secretary of the Interior, paraphrased and elaborated as follows:

  1. The historic design character of the building has been well retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a building design has been avoided.
  2. The original design of the building is a physical record of its time and place. Changes (additions and ‘enhancements) to the building exterior should be made in the spirit of the original building design.
  3. Deteriorated historic features should be repaired rather than replaced, where possible.
  4. New exterior additions, alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the size, scale, and architectural features.
  5. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired.
  6. Interior renovations should be done in the spirit of the original design. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the original interior design.