Nathan Lewis
Over the years, Highland Hills has undergone many changes — some to the detriment of Goodman’s original designs — but a number of its current residents adhere to the code of simplicity and minimalism advocated by the architect. These 1950s houses share architectural elements such as low-pitched roofs, expansive windows, carports, walk-out patios, aluminum-siding and central brick hearths.
House plans were marketed by the National Homes company and were built from kits produced by architect Charles Goodman’s (above) Washington, D.C.-based firm in the 1940s and 1950s.
Aside from Goodman’s architectural signatures, Highland Hills is characterized by clusters of homes that typically don’t face the street head-on but instead sit among the trees, creeks and curves of the landscape. He points to a wooden-based lamp that wouldn’t be out of character in Don Draper’s office and then drinks water from a glass decorated with a turquoise argyle pattern. After doing some research on architect Goodman, Brown was inspired by a National Homes advertisement to add a period-style fence to create a courtyard joining his house and carport.
× 3 of 6 Expand A wall of windows, a hallmark of architect Charles Goodman, overlooks the courtyard and connects the house. × 4 of 6 Expand Dianne Rand remodeled her kitchen in 2001, adding cherry cabinets to match the trim found throughout her house.
× 5 of 6 Expand The previous owner, an architect, added on a large family room, creating an open floor plan in the home.
× 6 of 6 Expand Rand added on the garage in recent years, keeping with the home’s original architectural style.
But Rand’s favorite part of her home is its treehouse feel, with windows looking out on the yard full of oaks, pines and other foliage. Also on the Sept. 23 tour of Highland Hills is the home of neighborhood newcomers Jen Anderson and Jim Broyhill, who are planning a fall wedding.
Flash forward to last year, and the couple had a contract on a house in the North Side but had just received news that the basement had major structural problems. The previous owners made a lot of updates to the main floor, so Broyhill and Anderson don’t have much work to do on that end, except making some furniture purchases. × 1 of 6 Expand Jen Anderson and Jim Broyhill have lived in their house for less than a year and were attracted to Highland Hills for its Midcentury architecture.
× 2 of 6 Expand Though it appears to be one story from the front, the house sits on a sloping lot and has a large walk-out basement, one of the few in the neighborhood. × 5 of 6 Expand Charles Goodman’s Highland Hills homes are known for this distinctive chimney design, which intersects a band of windows.
