An Award-Winning Midcentury Modern Ju-Nel

An AIA award-winning Midcentury Modern Ju-Nel has just been listed in Eastwood Estates. Why is this exciting and important?

Only About 50 Ju-Nel Homes Were Ever Built.

Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson were ahead of their time in many ways. They used open floor plans, favored floor-to-ceiling windows, recycled materials, and green building techniques before these ideas were on anyone’s horizon. They were also known for adapting homes to their natural surroundings — the more challenging the topography, the better.

No Two Are Alike

Although similarities are found, and most Ju-Nel homes show Asian influences, each design was unique. It’s one reason artists, architects, designers, and preservationists have always been attracted to them.

This Ju-Nel Has Had Only Two Owners

This Ju-Nel has been owned by architect Tai Yungjen and his wife, Lynn Chiu-Lien Hsu, for the past 27 years. It has had only two owners since it was built in 1961.

“We’d been looking for a few months,” Yungjen said. “Cliff Welch and I worked in the same office, and he said come and look in our neighborhood, and I saw this house was for sale. I called my Realtor, saw it the next day, and immediately made an offer. We kept a close relationship with the original owner Mrs. Roseburg. They had visited Japan, and when we walked in, we were so impressed and felt a sense of immediately belonging here.”

It was not just Roseburg’s visit that impacted the Asian influences. They are found in most Ju-Nel’s and stem from Wilson’s days in the military, stationed in Japan. They are visible in the form of wooden screens, room dividers, and the appreciation of not interfering with nature.

This is a Truly Flawless Ju-Nel

With an architect-owned property, you can be assured updates were made with considerable sensitivity to the home’s integrity.

“The house has a clear and efficient layout with the living area connected to the kitchen and open to the courtyard,” Yungjen said. “The courtyard is an unexpected surprise as you enter the living area. We did some renovations but were very careful because we did not want to change the design character of the house. Lifestyles change, so we updated with sensitivity and without knocking down any walls. We added new Russian birch cabinetry in the kitchen, but we kept the original oven and the cooktop because it’s all one set and still works beautifully.”

The Birth of a Home Tour

“We started the first home tour of Ju-Nel homes with Tim and Christine Rogers,” Yungjen said. “That first year, Lyle Rowley was in our house to meet everyone.” This was the birth of the White Rock Home Tour which features both vintage and modern homes and continues to highlight the Ju-Nel legacy.

“After three decades in architecture, I appreciate the design even more now,” Yungjen said. “The simplicity of the layout and the use of material makes it clean and timeless.”

About That Award

“We received an AIA 25-year award to recognize Ju-Nel in 2010, and our house won for the residential category,” Yungjen said.

Dallas has the sixth-largest AIA chapter in America and has existed for 75 years so this is a rare honor.

Compass Real Estate’s listing agent Christy Berry has 10226 Vinemont St. offered at $729,000. It listed late yesterday, and if you are interested, I’d be out front with cash in hand because this will fly off the market in record time.

Open House: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15