Mickey Muennig

Mickey Muennig (born George Kaye Muennig; 1935–2021) was an American architect.[1][2] He was known for this organic architecture in Big Sur, along the California coast.[1][3]

Mickey Muennig
Born
George Kaye Muennig

(1935-04-20)April 20, 1935
Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJune 10, 2021(2021-06-10) (aged 86)
Big Sur, California, U.S.
Other namesG. K. “Mickey” Muennig, G. K. Muennig, George Kay Muennig
Alma materUniversity of Oklahoma
OccupationArchitect
MovementOrganic architecture

Early life and education

George Kaye Muennig was born on April 20, 1935, in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri.[4] He got his nickname Mickey, by his older sister, due to his outward semblance with Mickey Mouse.[1]

He began his college education at Georgia Institute of Technology, hoping to study aeronautical engineering.[1] After his first year of college he decided to transfer to the University of Oklahoma to study architecture under Bruce Goff,[1] and Herb Greene.[5]

Career

"At a time when most architecture seems merely argumentative, these buildings (by Muennig) are relaxed and free, filled with...real joy."

–Michael Sorkin, architectural critic[6]

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California (2010)

After graduation he had apprenticeships in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Long Beach, Mississippi.[4] In 1969, he moved to Denver for an architecture job that did not materialize and his family stayed in Denver until 1971.

In 1971, Muenning went to a two week Gestalt therapy class in the Big Sur at Esalen Institute, he described it as an enlightening experience and decide to stay a week longer.[4] He was able to blend his architectural design with the local materials, and create homes that felt like they were a part of Big Sur.[6][7] He was a proponent of underground houses for both temperature control and fire proofing, as well as building on stilts.[6][7] Many of his works have been described as "magical", "creative", or "visionary".[6][7] Some of the houses had issues with livability according to Edward Bazinet, a client of Muenning's, as he had failed to plan for the need of furniture.[6]

The Post Ranch Inn, a luxury resort in Big Sur opened in April 1991.[8] Muenning's design work for the Post Ranch Inn featured buildings with geometric inspiration by animals (such as the butterfly), as well as towers and cylinders that are a nod to Bruce Goff.[9] The guest rooms were arranged in a village, made of individual small structures.[8] The hotel design was meant to not compete with the landscape, the hotel is located on a dramatic coastal bluff and had views of migrating whales in the Pacific Ocean.[9]

In 2000 and 2002, Architectural Digest had listed Muenning as one of the top 100 architects in the United States.[4] In 2005, the Monterey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) honored Muennig.[10]

Death and legacy

Muennig died on June 10, 2021, at the age of 86 in Big Sur.[1] The Muennig archives are held at the University of Oklahoma, American School of Architecture Archive.[11][12]

Select works
  • 1963 – Foulke House, Redings Mill, Missouri[4]
  • 1966 – Mineral Museum, 504 S Schifferdecker Avenue, Joplin, Missouri[4]
  • 1971 – Partington Ridge (Muenning's long-time residency), 50854 Partington Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[13][14][15]
  • 1975 – Prussin Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1977 – John Psyllus Residence I, 46400 Clear Ridge Road, Big Sur, California (redesigned in 1998 as the Pavey Residence)[14]
  • 1978 – John Psyllus Residence II, Big Sur, California
  • 1983 – Michel Petrucciani Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1984 – Bazinet Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1985 – Partington Ridge, Muenning residence addition, 50854 Partington Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[15]
  • 1985 – Hawthrone Residence Addition,
  • 1988 – Witt Residence,
  • 1988 – Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California[16]
  • 1990 – Hunt-Badiner Residence remodel and addition, Big Sur, California,
  • 1992 – Witt Studio/Guesthouse, designed for Paul Junger Witt, Big Sur, California[14]
  • 1993 – Lihu Lake Hotels,
  • 1993 – McDade Residence, Big Sur, California
  • 1994 – Caddell Residence Remodel, Big Sur, California
  • 1995 – Hawthrone Gallery, 48485 Highway 1, Big Sur, California[7]
  • 1995 – Partington Point House (renovation by Muennig), Big Sur, California
  • 1997 – William Barklie Henry Barn and Music Studio, Big Sur, California
  • 1998 – Esalen Institute Baths, Big Sur, California[17]
  • 1998 – Pavey Residence, 46400 Clear Ridge Road, Big Sur, California[18][19]
  • 1998 – Scharffenberger Residence (also known as Terra Mar House), 48720 Highway 1, Big Sur, California[20]
  • 1998 – Nusbaum Residence, 48673 Highway 1, Big Sur, California
  • Tower House (also known as Hummingbird House), Big Sur (burned down in 2013)[21][22]

See also

References
  1. "How an Unsung Architect Gave Big Sur Its Look". Dwell. July 1, 2021.
  2. "Big Sur architect Mickey Muennig"s work shaped by the land". Monterey Herald. 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  3. Stinson, Liz (2019-07-23). "Big Sur modern stunner can be yours for $6.9M". Curbed. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  4. Kennedy, Wally (January 3, 2015). "Joplin-born architect looks back on remarkable career". Joplin Globe. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  5. "Remembering Mickey Muennig". Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  6. "To Sur, with Love: He Builds with the Land". Newspapers.com. The Orlando Sentinel. November 9, 1997. p. 164. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  7. Young, Lucie (18 May 1997). "Designer's Unique Homes Meld Buildings and Nature". Newspapers.com. The Miami Herald. p. 574. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  8. "Post Ranch Inn: Simple Luxuries". Newspapers.com. The San Francisco Examiner. November 15, 1992. p. T-1, T-10. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  9. Newman, Morris (May 12, 1991). "Big Sur Welcomes New Hotel". Newspapers.com. The Naples Daily News, The New York Times. p. 127. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  10. "Events". Newspapers.com. The Californian. May 21, 2005. p. 23. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  11. "News". OU University Libraries.
  12. "Collection: G. K. "Mickey" Muennig Architectural Papers and Drawings". The University of Oklahoma ArchivesSpace. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  13. Marino, Pam. "Celebration of life planned for famed Big Sur architect Mickey Muennig, 86". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  14. Lutyens, Dominic. "The man who built Big Sur". Little Atoms. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  15. Libby, Brian (2022-03-15). "Architect Mickey Muennig's Big Sur Home Lists for $7M". Dwell. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  16. Kashyap, Keshni (February 26, 2009). "Big Sur: Coastal Commissions". Dwell. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  17. Lattin, Don (2002-06-16). "Esalen Bares Its Soul / The Big Sur oasis of enlightenment turns 40 with a major face lift and a rejuvenated mission". SFGATE. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  18. Caraccio, David (April 18, 2022). "See modern Big Sur home built into natural terrain: Ocean views, 109 acres for $35M". The Sacramento Bee.
  19. Clarke, Katherine. "A Big Sur Mansion Shaped Like an Airplane Wing Lands on the Market for $35 Million". MansionGlobal.com. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  20. Barber, Megan (2019-12-16). "Big Sur oceanfront home with skybridge now asks $6.2M". Curbed. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  21. "Big Sur fire: Late season blaze destroys 17 homes on California's iconic, parched coast". The Mercury News. 2013-12-17. Retrieved 2022-05-01.
  22. "Big Sur fire: Before escrow could close, "Hummingbird House" burns down". Monterey Herald. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2022-05-01.

Further reading
  • Saeks, Diane Dorrans (1999). Taschen, Angelika (ed.). California Interiors. Cologne, Germany: Taschen. ISBN 9783822866108.
  • Olsen, Richard (2012). Handmade Houses: A Century of Earth-Friendly Home Design. Rizzoli. ISBN 978-0847838455.
  • Muennig, Mickey (2014). Mickey Muennig: Dreams and Realizations for A Living Architecture. Gibbs Smith. ISBN 9781423637523.
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