Pioneer Texas Buildings is a book by Ben Heimsath’s father and Heimsath Architects founder, the late Clovis Heimsath, with photographs by Maryann Heimsath, who is Ben’s mother. The book was published by University of Texas Press, with a forward by Louis Kahn. It was later re-issued in an updated edition with additional photographs by Lisa Hardaway, with a new title: “Geometry in Architecture.” Both editions are now out of print, but can be found on used bookstore websites and in libraries.
The book’s themes were twofold: Decrying the falsity and impermanence of the era’s contemporary construction, the so-called suburban sprawl, as well as appreciation of the simple lines and sturdy construction techniques that typified rural and small town Texas buildings of an earlier era. As the time the book was published, people generally saw very little value in the old buildings, and they were being torn down and replaced at a rapid rate, or were being left in pastures to deteriorate, making them even less likely to be appreciated. This abandonment of heritage was in stark contrast to the ethos of New England and parts of the Northeastern United States, settled for far longer, and with active historic preservation efforts. It is difficult now to imagine how ludicrous it would have seemed to the majority of Texas architects of the 1960’s to focus on preserving and celebrating old farmhouses, barns, and small town courthouses and dance halls.
One of the ancillary benefits of the Pioneer Texas Buildings book project was the Heimsath family’s relocation to Fayetteville, Texas from the Montrose area of Houston.
Ben remembers his elementary school years in Houston, riding his bicycle to school along busy West Alabama and Westheimer streets, before there were bike lanes(!), and he also remembers his high school years in Fayetteville, milking a cow and feeding chickens in the morning before climbing aboard the school bus for the one and a half-mile ride into town, stopping to pick up more children at the end of each driveway along the way.
A further benefit of Pioneer Texas Buildings is that Clovis became very skilled himself at the traditional Pioneer Texas construction techniques, and worked side-by-side with family members to maintain the outbuildings on the Heimsath farm, and to renovate additional farmhouses moved onto the property. When the architecture business took a downturn during the mid-1970’s recession, Clovis and his sons switched gears and launched “HHH Construction” — and found work as renovators of farm buildings in the local area for a couple of years, until the economy improved and the Heimsath architecture firm resumed fulltime operations.
All these early experiences gave Ben a deep appreciation of the building trades, the traditional construction techniques, and the role of spirit and purpose in the formation of building projects. No matter how mechanized or digital the tools, the designer and builder remain artisans, servants of the creative imagining that begins with those who will inhabit the building, caring with those who care.