Kivett & Myers - A Synagogue designed functionally and aesthetically

Name: A Synagogue designed functionally and aesthetically - project
Architect: Kivett & Myers, Kansas City, MO
Year Designed: Circa 1952
Builder: N/A
Year Built: N/A
Size: N/A
Location: Unknown, probably Kansas City, MO or Central Plains
Type: Religious
Style: Modern
Status: N/A
Scanned from:
Climate & Architecture
Progressive Architecture Book
Jeffrey Ellis Aronin
Reinhold Publishing Corporation
New York, U.S.A. 1953

I was reading a vintage architecture book about "Climate and Architecture" and came accross this handsome little drawing. I love it when my two great interests, Mid-Century Modern and Sustainable Architecture, collide.

We know that Kivett and Myers designed several Jewish Synagogues, the most famous being the now demolished Temple B'nai Jehuda in Kansas City, MO. We also know there is a Kivett and Myers designed Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska. It is unclear if this design was ever built somewhere, but I do not think it was built in KC.

Cars of the Presidents

Gearing up for the big day on January 20th, I took a look into the past. Lots of changes over the years! From CBS News: "The 2009 presidential limousine provides the Secret Service with a valuable asset in accomplishing its protective mission by affording its occupants the highest level of protection," a statement from the United States Department of Homeland Security read. The 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limosine has run-flat tires, a sealed interior to ward off a chemical attack and more bulletproof glass area than past presidential limosines. "It looks different [from past models] and it is different in some ways, but it's pretty subtle," General Motors spokesman David Caldwell told Hotsheet. "Although many of the vehicles’ security enhancements cannot be discussed, it is safe to say that this car’s security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world,” said Nicholas Trotta, Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations. CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports that the new limousine is the first of seven that were ordered from Cadillac by the Secret Service. In a radio interview with CBS News, Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan calls the new limo a "state of the art vehicle that gives the highest amount of security and safety to the occupants."

Probably the most famous Presidential limo in history is the Kennedy Lincoln Continental.

Eisenhower had different car styles for different reasons. President Eisenhower's 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan.

1952 Chrysler Imperial Presidential Parade Car


The New York Times has a great Collectible Car slide show and history. Hail to the Chief!!

American Cars - Hope they stay around!

Watching the Detroit bailout saga reminded me of a recent email I received. Growing up in the 50's and 60's was a great time to appreciate cars. How times and styles have changed.

1951 Chrysler K310
The 1951 K-310 was the second of the Ghia-built Chrysler concept cars designed under the watchful eye of company styling director Virgil Exner.

1953 Buick Wildcat
A special brochure handed out at the Motorama explained the philosophy behind the Wildcat: "Buick by-passes time and tradition to bring your 'dream car' closer. Buick's progressive search for finer styling and better cars for America's motorists enters a new era with presentation of the revolutionary new sports convertible -- the Wildcat -- featuring a Fiberglass body.
1958 Lincoln Premiere
Low sales and less of the "more is better" attitude generally in Detroit led to an all-new downsized Lincoln line for '61.

1955 Nash Rambler Cross County Wagon
Model offerings expanded noticeably for 1954 with the addition of two- and four-door sedans and a four-door Cross Country wagon.

1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner
The Fairlane was named after Henry Ford's Fair Lane mansion in Dearborn, Michigan. 1959 was the last year of the Sunliner convertible.
1956 Nash
In developing this new car, Nash had originally planned to call it the Nash Diplomat. This name would have rounded out the Nash family of cars, as for 1950 the 600 line was re-named the Statesman and the Ambassador remained the flagship line.

1951 Buick LeSabre
One of the most famous concept cars was the 1951 Buick LeSabre. Designed by Harley J. Earl’s studio with styling cues from jet fighter planes and used by him for years as an everyday driver, the LeSabre offered a preview of the aircraft styling that followed in the ’50s.
1958 Edsel Convertible
The Edsel was introduced amidst considerable publicity on "E Day"—September 14, 1957. It was promoted by a top-rated television special, The Edsel Show on October 13, but it was not enough to counter the adverse public reaction to the car's styling and conventional build.