Mid-century modern home in Midtown lives on through the foundation's efforts

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Palm Springs is considered a mecca for mid-century modern architecture. But don't sleep on Tucson.

The Old Pueblo is home to hundreds of remarkable examples of mid-century modern style. Thanks to preservation efforts, this includes the Bondante House downtown.

Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

“It was a tremendous period of growth,” said Demion Clinco, CEO of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, describing the city in the 1940s and 1950s after World War II.

“People were looking for opportunity in the American West,” he explained. “Tucson was one of the places people discovered, and the city exploded in size and character. Architects, designers and artists all came to Tucson and had an incredible impact on the built environment.”

This led to hundreds of mid-century modern homes being built throughout the city in a dozen different neighborhoods as Tucson grew to the east.

“These types of modern bungalows that focus on indoor-outdoor living, glass and the Tucson mountains,” Clinco said.

There is no better example of a mid-century modern home in Tucson than the Bondante House, located south of Tucson Medical Center on Rosemont Boulevard.

Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

“This house really reflects a lot of the optimism of the post-World War II era,” Clinco said. “It was built in 1956 and has these incredible glass window walls with mountain and garden views, creating this mix of indoor and outdoor space.”

The Bondante House was designed by noted Tucson artist Charles Clement for his sister Mary, her husband Aldo Bondante, and their two children.

Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

Family photos show the building. When it was completed in 1956, East Citrus Street was still a dirt road.

Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

Today, thanks to a partnership between the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation and the Bondante family, the Bondante House has been restored to its original appearance.

Together they not only save a wonderful example of Tucson Modernism, but also display many examples of Charles Clement's artwork.

“There are murals, mosaics set into parts of the house, painted tile murals; there are a lot of sculptures in the yard,” Clinco said. “It also features some of his wallpaper designs that he created for CW Stockwell in the 1950s. We had them screen-printed again for this project. So this house really looks like it did in 1956.”

You can still see numerous examples of Charles Clement's artwork and modernist sculptures throughout Tucson.

Back in July, KGUN 9 reported on the search for his missing Noah's Ark sculpture. It was founded in 1966 and installed in the Catalina Foothills School Administration Building.

Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation

They later donated it to the Reid Park Zoo. It disappeared from storage several years ago and has not been seen since.

Thanks to the work of the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, many of Clemens' other works still survive. This also applies to many other classic examples of mid-century architecture created by various artists and architects.

“We have iconic buildings like the Valley National Bank, now Chase, on Broadway; or buildings along the Sunshine Mile, or places as humble and as dynamic as the Wilmot Library,” Clinco said. “There are some incredible mid-century modern resources throughout the city, as well as amazing homes.”

Amazing homes like the Bondante House, featured in this month's Modernism Week.

Clinco and the Preservation Foundation are exploring plans for a short-term rental to generate income for property maintenance.

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They're already doing that with the amazing Ball-Paylore House near the Arizona Inn. It's another example of Tucson's mid-century modern architecture that still resonates with many of us 75 years later.

“We look at this period with great fondness because of the beautiful design work that made it so dynamic and rich,” Clinco said. “The way we look back on it is really impressive.”

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If you'd like to tour the Bondante House downtown, it's open to the public November 22-23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free.

The Bondante House is located at 5111 E. Citrus St. in Tucson.