It looked to be a spectacular place. But the listing showed only a few exterior photos and the property was gated and not visible from the road (a curse for the MCM stalker). I put out a plea for additional information and none was forthcoming, until . . .
I was checking out the site of local architecture firm Fuller Thompson Olds. Lo and behold, this is the Kirklin residence, an early project of the firm's modernist John Fuller. He describes the project: "Located in the suburbs on 12 acres, the house is very private; it cannot be seen from the street or the neighbors. This home was designed to be a private retreat for the Client where he could put aside the stress of his daily work. Most of the site has been left as natural woodlands with a half mile lighted walking trail for evenings walks. The house is fire resistant construction; concrete floor slabs, masonry walls, metal stud & gypsum board partitions and steel joist roof structure. A friend of the client stated that we must have crawled into his brain to come up with a design that matched his personality so completely."
I also featured some time ago another project of FTO -- this swank place on Altamont Road:
And now the baby picture of the Pensinger Residence:
These are truly wonderful places. Thank you, Fuller Thompson Olds, for sharing them with us. Other projects and additional information about the firm can be found at http://www.fuller-thompson.com/Home.aspx
Edited to add: I have just learned that the new owner of the Kirklin Residence loves the house even more than the rest of us do . . . if that is possible. A sensitive restoration is planned. The gods of MCM are smiling upon us, Birminghamsters.
