711 Willowbrook Drive - Volsky House

711 Willowbrook Drive / Volsky House / Architect: Charles Haertling / Style: Expressionist Style / built 1965

The tour begins with one of the most exceptional MCM buidlings in all of Colorado - the Volsky house. Note that this house is not very visible from the public right of way except in winter when tree leaves are absent. Charles Haertling designed this sculptural building for University of Colorado psychology professor Theodore Volsky and his family of four on a steep hillside lot next to Gregory Creek. In our opinion Haertling is perhaps the most imaginative architect who has ever worked in Colorado. He came to Boulder in the 1950’s and worked for a while in the office of James Hunter before starting his own office. The house has a steel frame structure faced with curving concrete block walls, finished with white stucco, resulting in a sculptural surface both on the exterior and the interior. The main living spaces are laid out in a circular plan with the shared spaces (living, dining, kitchen) in one half and the bedrooms in the other half. In the middle is a circular indoor garden. The living room is a magnificent room because of its complex geometry, conical fireplace, concave ceiling, curving windows and views.