6653 Wildwood Way

6653 Wildwood Way (Resource Number 0328, Photo 14) Swenson, Heidbreder and Bush designed the Vibrex Tile house at 6653 Wildwood Way for builder H. H. Lawler. The house was built in 1937. The house is unique in its form and materials; it contains elements of the Minimal Traditional and International styles. The one-story, two-bay house is square in plan and oriented toward the southwest. The wood frame house rests on a slab foundation. The exterior cladding consists of Vibrex Tile with five decorative squares mounted at the western bay. The low-pitched pyramidal roof with a shallow projecting hip at the western bay was originally copper, but this has been covered with composition shingles. The copper coping is still visible. A central vent is located at the roof peak. Windows were originally steel casement, and doors were lightweight slab. The windows have been replaced with one-over-one aluminum sash. A small entrance is created through the placement of a decorative wrought iron trellis at the intersection of the western and eastern bays. Originally, the walks and driveway were colored to “harmonize with the setting.” This coloring is no longer visible, but the slightly elevated landscape features grass, shrubs, hedge, bedding plants, and tall old-growth trees. The original double garage stands at the rear of the lot. In spite of the alterations to the roof and windows of the house, it retains the large majority of its original features, as does the original garage. Both buildings therefore retain their integrity and contribute to the historic district. While little information could be found about Vibrex Tile, it appears to have been distributed by the Structural Products Company. At the time of the house’s construction, the Houston Post reported that the house was the only one of its type in the South. The article emphasized the waterproof, fireproof, strong, insulating, and lightweight qualities of the construction, which was available in various textures with “adaptable details and unlimited colors.” The interior featured plaster walls with a large air space for “reflective type insulation.” The floors were parquet hardwood, sheet rubber, and ceramic tile. Recessed lighting fixtures were used, as was satin chrome hardware. The interior was not viewed during the inventory.