Mickey Muennig

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Mickey Muennig
Born
George Kaye Muennig

(1935-04-20)April 20, 1935
Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJune 10, 2021(2021-06-10) (aged 86)
Big Sur, California, U.S.
Other namesG. K. “Mickey” Muennig, G. K. Muennig, George Kay Muennig
Alma materUniversity of Oklahoma
OccupationArchitect
MovementOrganic architecture

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]

Early life and education[edit]

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]

Career[edit]

"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]

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California (2010)

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]

Death and legacy[edit]

Muennig died on June 10, 2021, at the age of 86 in Big Sur.[1] The Muennig archives are held at the University of Oklahoma, American School of Architecture Archive.[11][12]

Select works[edit]

  • 1963 – Foulke House, Redings Mill, Missouri[4]
  • 1966 – Mineral Museum, 504 S Schifferdecker Avenue, Joplin, Missouri[4]
  • 1971 – Partington Ridge (Muenning's long-time residency), 50854 Partington Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[13][14][15]
  • 1975 – Prussin Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1977 – John Psyllus Residence I, 46400 Clear Ridge Road, Big Sur, California (redesigned in 1998 as the Pavey Residence)[14]
  • 1978 – John Psyllus Residence II, Big Sur, California
  • 1983 – Michel Petrucciani Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1984 – Bazinet Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1985 – Partington Ridge, Muenning residence addition, 50854 Partington Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[15]
  • 1985 – Hawthrone Residence Addition,
  • 1988 – Witt Residence,
  • 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,
  • 1993 – McDade Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1994 – Caddell Residence Remodel, 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 – 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]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "How an Unsung Architect Gave Big Sur Its Look". Dwell. July 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Big Sur architect Mickey Muennig"s work shaped by the land". Monterey Herald. 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  3. ^ Stinson, Liz (2019-07-23). "Big Sur modern stunner can be yours for $6.9M". Curbed. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Kennedy, Wally (January 3, 2015). "Joplin-born architect looks back on remarkable career". Joplin Globe. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  5. ^ "Remembering Mickey Muennig". Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  6. ^ a b c d e "To Sur, with Love: He Builds with the Land". Newspapers.com. The Orlando Sentinel. November 9, 1997. p. 164. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  7. ^ a b c d Young, Lucie (18 May 1997). "Designer's Unique Homes Meld Buildings and Nature". Newspapers.com. The Miami Herald. p. 574. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  8. ^ a b "Post Ranch Inn: Simple Luxuries". Newspapers.com. The San Francisco Examiner. November 15, 1992. p. T-1, T-10. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  9. ^ a b Newman, Morris (May 12, 1991). "Big Sur Welcomes New Hotel". Newspapers.com. The Naples Daily News, The New York Times. p. 127. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  10. ^ "Events". Newspapers.com. The Californian. May 21, 2005. p. 23. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  11. ^ "News". OU University Libraries.
  12. ^ "Collection: G. K. "Mickey" Muennig Architectural Papers and Drawings". The University of Oklahoma ArchivesSpace. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  13. ^ Marino, Pam. "Celebration of life planned for famed Big Sur architect Mickey Muennig, 86". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  14. ^ a b c Lutyens, Dominic. "The man who built Big Sur". Little Atoms. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  15. ^ a b Libby, Brian (2022-03-15). "Architect Mickey Muennig's Big Sur Home Lists for $7M". Dwell. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  16. ^ Kashyap, Keshni (February 26, 2009). "Big Sur: Coastal Commissions". Dwell. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  17. ^ Lattin, Don (2002-06-16). "Esalen Bares Its Soul / The Big Sur oasis of enlightenment turns 40 with a major face lift and a rejuvenated mission". SFGATE. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  18. ^ Caraccio, David (April 18, 2022). "See modern Big Sur home built into natural terrain: Ocean views, 109 acres for $35M". The Sacramento Bee.
  19. ^ Clarke, Katherine. "A Big Sur Mansion Shaped Like an Airplane Wing Lands on the Market for $35 Million". MansionGlobal.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  20. ^ Barber, Megan (2019-12-16). "Big Sur oceanfront home with skybridge now asks $6.2M". Curbed. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  21. ^ "Big Sur fire: Late season blaze destroys 17 homes on California's iconic, parched coast". The Mercury News. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  22. ^ "Big Sur fire: Before escrow could close, "Hummingbird House" burns down". Monterey Herald. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2022-05-01.

Further reading[edit]

  • Saeks, Diane Dorrans (1999). Taschen, Angelika (ed.). California Interiors. Cologne, Germany: Taschen. ISBN 9783822866108.
  • Olsen, Richard (2012). Handmade Houses: A Century of Earth-Friendly Home Design. Rizzoli. ISBN 978-0847838455.
  • Muennig, Mickey (2014). Mickey Muennig: Dreams and Realizations for A Living Architecture. Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423637523.
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