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Mickey Muennig
American architect (1935–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mickey Muennig (born George Kaye Muennig; 1935–2021) was an American architect.[1][2] He was known for this organic architecture in Big Sur, along the California coast.[1][3]
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Early life and education
George Kaye Muennig was born on April 20, 1935, in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.[4] He got his nickname Mickey, by his older sister, due to his outward semblance with Mickey Mouse.[1]
He began his college education at Georgia Institute of Technology, hoping to study aeronautical engineering.[1] After his first year of college he decided to transfer to the University of Oklahoma to study architecture under Bruce Goff,[1] and Herb Greene.[5]
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Career
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Perspective
"At a time when most architecture seems merely argumentative, these buildings (by Muennig) are relaxed and free, filled with...real joy."
–Michael Sorkin, architectural critic[6]
After graduation he had apprenticeships in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Long Beach, Mississippi.[4] In 1969, he moved to Denver for an architecture job that did not materialize and his family stayed in Denver until 1971.
In 1971, Muenning went to a two week Gestalt therapy class in the Big Sur at Esalen Institute, he described it as an enlightening experience and decide to stay a week longer.[4] He was able to blend his architectural design with the local materials, and create homes that felt like they were a part of Big Sur.[6][7] He was a proponent of underground houses for both temperature control and fire proofing, as well as building on stilts.[6][7] Many of his works have been described as "magical", "creative", or "visionary".[6][7] Some of the houses had issues with livability according to Edward Bazinet, a client of Muenning's, as he had failed to plan for the need of furniture.[6]
The Post Ranch Inn, a luxury resort in Big Sur opened in April 1991.[8] Muenning's design work for the Post Ranch Inn featured buildings with geometric inspiration by animals (such as the butterfly), as well as towers and cylinders that are a nod to Bruce Goff.[9] The guest rooms were arranged in a village, made of individual small structures.[8] The hotel design was meant to not compete with the landscape, the hotel is located on a dramatic coastal bluff and had views of migrating whales in the Pacific Ocean.[9]
In 2000 and 2002, Architectural Digest had listed Muenning as one of the top 100 architects in the United States.[4] In 2005, the Monterey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honored Muennig.[10]
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Death and legacy
Muennig died on June 10, 2021, at the age of 86.[1][11] The Muennig archives are held at the University of Oklahoma, American School of Architecture Archive.[11][12]
Works
- 1963 – Foulke House, Redings Mill, Missouri[4]
- 1966 – Mineral Museum, 504 S Schifferdecker Avenue, Joplin, Missouri[4]
- 1971 – Partington Ridge, 50854 Partington Ridge Road, Big Sur, California; Muenning's long-time residency[13][14][15]
- 1972 – Kelm Residence, Big Sur, California
- 1975 – Prussin Residence, Big Sur, California (destroyed by fire)
- 1977 – John Psyllos Residence I, 46308 Pfeiffer Ridge Road, Big Sur, California
- 1978 – John Psyllos Residence II, Big Sur, California
- 1981 – Bradford Residence, Big Sur, California
- 1983 – Michel Petrucciani Residence, Big Sur, California
- 1984 – Bazinet Residence, Big Sur, California (destroyed by fire, 12/2013)
- 1985 – Partington Ridge, Muenning residence addition, 50854 Partington Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[15]
- 1985 – Hawthrone Residence Addition, Big Sur, California
- 1988 – Witt Residence, Big Sur, California
- 1988 – Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California[16]
- 1990 – Hunt-Badiner Residence remodel and addition, Big Sur, California,
- 1992 – Witt Studio/Guesthouse, designed for Paul Junger Witt, Big Sur, California[14]
- 1993 – Lihu Lake Hotels (remodel), Wuxi, China
- 1993 – McDade Residence, Big Sur, California
- 1994 – Caddell Residence Remodel, Big Sur, California
- 1994 – Simon Residence, Big Sur, California
- 1995 – Hawthrone Gallery, 48485 Highway 1, Big Sur, California[7]
- 1995 – Partington Point House (renovation by Muennig), Big Sur, California
- 1997 – William Barklie Henry Barn and Music Studio, Big Sur, California
- 1998 – Esalen Institute Baths, Big Sur, California[17]
- 1998 – Pavey Residence, 46400 Clear Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[18][19]
- 1998 – Petrovsky Residence, Prescott, Arizona
- 1998 – Scharffenberger Residence (also known as Terra Mar House), 48720 Highway 1, Big Sur, California[20]
- 1998 – Nusbaum Residence, 48673 Highway 1, Big Sur, California
- Tower House (also known as Hummingbird House), Big Sur (burned down in 2013)[21][22]
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See also
References
Further reading
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