the hollin hills journal
life, architecture and ideas in a modern american community
Just a few miles south of Washington DC, past the stately colonial buildings of Alexandria, Virginia, sits one of the most fascinating communities in America. Nestled into a rolling, park-like setting, more than 450 mid-century modern houses seem to float weightlessly in a canopy of trees. There are no traditional suburban houses here, and few fences or barriers of any kind. Instead, the houses — with walls of glass and clean, geometric lines — perch lightly in the wooded hillsides, as if they were part of the landscape itself …
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
new in the journal
Hollin Hills composer-percussionist Tom Teasley talks about his globe-spanning career, the power of rhythm, and the all-important James Brown Factor.
On Marthas Road, an art-filled home designed by Luis Vera adopts a “bi-nuclear” approach pioneered by Marcel Breuer.
inside:
modern news for modern people in modern houses
MUSICARCHITECTURE
architecture
ARCHITECTURE
Hollin Hills was launched in the 1940s as an “architectural laboratory” that would build community and connect people with nature. The pioneering designs of Charles Goodman turned it into one of the most iconic modernist communities in America.
The architectural landscape of Hollin Hills encompasses a range of modernist house designs, most by Charles Goodman and all deeply interconnected. From the basic “unit types” to unique custom designs, here’s a quick guide — and interactive map.
Lee and Peter Braun brought a rare 1957 Goodman design back to its full glory with a meticulous restoration. But why did this experimental model — which features purple aluminum — never really take off?
more in architecture
ARCHITECTUREARCHITECTURE
On the inside, Hollin Hills homes are as eclectic as their owners. But the roots of Hollin Hills design go deep into the modernist past, from Ray and Charles Eames to the Scandinavian Modern movement.
As Charles Goodman was designing Hollin Hills, George Nakashima was wreaking a similar revolution in furniture — and Hollin Hills became his showcase.
INTERIORS
DESIGN
Ok, we get it — we’re all in love with a Hollin Hiller. (And really — what’s not to love?) But if you’re new to this, you may be floundering — better read our guide to modern romance, stat!
Seth Styers sets out to walk every street in Hollin Hills in one go — and discovers an abandoned ghost, a blasé snake, a cow wearing a hat and other wonders …
more in life
ADVENTUREROMANCEpeople
Hollin Hills has always been as notable for its residents as for its architecture. Meet a few of the accomplished people — from singer Roberta Flack to journalist Leslie Gelb — who have made this unique community their home …
Meet Jeanne Gayler — Miss America runner-up, Hollywood starlet, and founder of the Committee on East-West Accord ….
PEOPLE
PEOPLEart + music
ART
Abstract painter Bobbie Godwin has been at the heart of the Hollin Hills art scene for decades — and, at 88, is still creating unique, captivating and wildly inventive work.
Hollin Hills violist Jerome Gordon has toured with Celine Dion, coached movie stars, and performed for the Pope. He does not need to hear your viola jokes.
Hollin Hills artist and collector Rick Ward talks about his life in the world of contemporary art, how to build a collection — and why we need to live with beauty.
more in art + music
MUSICCOLLECTING
Landscape architect Dennis Carmichael takes a deep dive into the philosophy behind the landscape design of Hollin Hills, which integrates the “natural” and “cultural” worlds we live in.
In planning their four-season garden, two Beechwood Road homeowners turned to the property’s original 1953 landscape plan by architect Daniel Kiley.
LANDSCAPE
Landscape architect Dennis Carmichael creates a fantastical “found art” garden in Hollin Hills. Be forewarned: this is not your grandmother’s flowerbed …
more in landscape
GARDENS
GARDENS
Explore our illustrated timeline of Hollin Hills, from1946 to pretty much last week.
HISTORYExplore our extensive collection of historical material about Hollin Hills dating back to 1949 — from photographs and memoirs, to original blueprints, landscape plans, sales documents and media coverage.
Professional landscape plans were prepared for each property in Hollin Hills in the community’s first decades. Explore our online collection, and find out how to get your own plan from the Library of Congress or Harvard University, where most of them are held.
more in history
ARCHIVES
ARCHIVESresources
From “where did Hollin Hills get its name?” to “who was the first person born in Hollin Hills?”, we have all the answers. (Well ... eighteen of the answers, anyway.)
The complete guide to everything you need to know to thrive in Hollin Hills. From getting involved in community life, to the traditions and culture, to volunteering in the parks, we have you covered.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Planning an exterior renovation? You’ll need to get approval from the Civic Association’s Design Review Committee, as well as the Fairfax County Architectural Review Board. Here’s a quick guide to the process.
more resources
LIVING IN HOLLIN HILLS
RENOVATIONS AND ADDITIONSgalleries
Over the past several decades, landscape architect Dennis Carmichael has made dozens of superb, detailed drawings of many Hollin Hills homes, which have illustrated many community publications.
Some of the earliest photographs of Hollin Hills were taken by the renowned architectural photographer Robert C. Lautman, hired by Robert Davenport to document the growth of the community.
more galleries
ARCHITECTURAL ARTPHOTOGRAPHY