John Barthel
John Edgar Barthel
‘’‘John Edgar Barthel’’’ (December 16, 1922 – April 1, 2011) was an American architect known for his contributions to mid-century modern architecture in Dallas, Texas. He is best recognized for designing his personal residence, known as The Origami House, which received the 25-Year Residential Award from AIA Dallas in 2002.[1]
Early life and education
Barthel was born in Oak Park, Illinois.[2] He attended the University of Illinois, where in 1942 he received the Allerton Traveling Fellowship for the study of New England architecture.[3] During his studies, he joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 officer training program and later served as an engineering officer from 1944 to 1946.[4]
After World War II, Barthel completed a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois. In 1947, he was awarded the Paris Prize, which provided for 18 months of study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and travel throughout Europe.[5] He later returned to the University of Illinois for a B.S. in Architectural Engineering. In 1950, he received a master’s degree in Architecture and City Planning from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he studied under architect Eliel Saarinen.[6]
Career
Barthel began his architectural career in Chicago, working for firms including Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Belli & Belli. In a later oral history interview, Edo J. Belli named Barthel as one of several former employees who had “done quite well,” referencing his architectural work in Texas.[7] He relocated to Dallas in 1952 to work with George Dahl before establishing his own practice.[8]
In 1959, Barthel designed and constructed his personal residence at 8931 Capri Court in Dallas. The home, now referred to as The Origami House, features a diamond-shaped folded roofline and is recognized as an example of mid-century residential design.[9] It has been highlighted in various architectural publications including ‘‘The New York Times’’,[10] ‘‘Atomic Ranch’’,[11] and ‘‘D Magazine’’.[12] The Dallas AD EX included the home in a 2025 exhibition focused on local architectural heritage.[13]
Barthel also designed St. Pius X Catholic Parish in Dallas. The church acknowledged his role during its 40th anniversary celebration.[14]
Recognition and legacy
In 2002, The Origami House was recognized by AIA Dallas with the 25-Year Residential Award.[15] The house has continued to draw attention from architectural writers and historians.[16][17] Barthel’s name also appears in documents from the Cranbrook Academy of Art[18] and the University of Illinois.[19]
He continued to travel and create art following his retirement in 1991. Barthel was known not only for his architectural design but also for his artistic sensibilities. Each year, he hand-drew and colored Christmas cards for family and friends, often framing one from each year and displaying them in his home. These works reflected his meticulous style and personal flair.[20]Barthel’s tradition of creating hand-drawn and colored Christmas cards is further documented in the archives of the Cranbrook Academy of Art. A 2015 blog post from the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research features one of Barthel’s holiday cards, highlighting his artistic endeavors during his time at the academy.[21]Barthel passed away in 2011.[22]
Selected works
• The Origami House, 8931 Capri Court, Dallas, Texas (1959) • St. Pius X Catholic Parish, Dallas, Texas
References
- ↑ "Fall 2011 issue of AIA Dallas 'Columns' magazine". 23 August 2011.
- ↑ "John Barthel Obituary (2011) - Dallas, TX - Dallas Morning News".
- ↑ https://www.trustees.uillinois.edu/trustees/minutes/1949/1949-06-25-uibot.pdf
- ↑ "John Barthel Obituary (2011) - Dallas, TX - Dallas Morning News".
- ↑ https://usmodernist.org/AJ/AJ-1947-07.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cranbrook.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/HonorRoll15_FINALWEB_reduced.pdf
- ↑ https://artic.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/caohp/id/451/download
- ↑ "John Barthel Obituary (2011) - Dallas, TX - Dallas Morning News".
- ↑ Powell, Mike (20 July 2011). "What You Get for ... $429,000". The New York Times.
- ↑ Powell, Mike (20 July 2011). "What You Get for ... $429,000". The New York Times.
- ↑ "A Mid-Century Masterwork in Dallas, TX".
- ↑ "Hot Property: A Mid-Century Modern That Even the New York Times Had to Notice". 21 March 2024.
- ↑ "Dallas AD EX Presents Mediterranean Gardens". 5 May 2025.
- ↑ "History of SPX - 2000's".
- ↑ "Fall 2011 issue of AIA Dallas 'Columns' magazine". 23 August 2011.
- ↑ "An Award-Winning Dallas Midcentury Modern with Original Details Was Just Listed". 31 July 2021.
- ↑ https://ju-nel.com/media-%7C-merch
- ↑ "John Edgar Barthel".
- ↑ https://www.trustees.uillinois.edu/trustees/minutes/1949/1949-06-25-uibot.pdf
- ↑ https://www.midcenturymoderndallashomes.com/area-modernist-architects
- ↑ https://cranbrookkitchensink.com/2015/12/24/happy-holidays/
- ↑ "John Barthel Obituary (2011) - Dallas, TX - Dallas Morning News".
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