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The master achievement of bricklayer and plasterer Genero
Briones was his own home, ornamented with multicolored tinted
stucco, carved in the pattern of an uncoursed stone wall.
Photograph courtesy of the Texas Historical Commission |
The Briones House is the largest and most prominent example of tinted
concrete ornamentation on a building in the state of Texas, a style
introduced from Mexico in the 1920s. Home to Genero P. Briones (1899-1979)
and his family, it represents the master achievement of this bricklayer
and plasterer. Briones designed and built his home, working only
nights and weekends, from 1947 to 1953. He learned the technique
from Dionicio Rodgriguez, a San Antonio artist and recognized master.
Their method of applying tinted and sculpted stucco to reinforced
concrete and concrete block is unusual in Texas. Throughout his
career, Briones worked on projects in Texas, Tennessee, California,
and Mexico. The Briones House, known locally as the Casa de Sueños
(House of Dreams), is the best preserved, most prominent example
of Briones' work, and is an excellent example of modern Texas folk
architecture.
The two-story front porch of the Briones house is supported
by two decorated columns, and includes an outdoor staircase.
The concrete table and chair set also designed by Briones
are visible in the foreground of the photograph.
Photograph courtesy of the Texas Historical Commission
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Concrete block construction in the United States dates to the first
decade of the 20th century, with the production of improved, inexpensive,
and easy-to-use concrete block machines. The first portion of the
Briones House, completed in 1953, was a two-story duplex that contained
five rooms on each floor. The two units featured identical floor
plans--a living room and master bedroom in the front, with a kitchen,
second bedroom and bathroom in the rear. The interior of the ground
floor is detailed with tinted plaster and sculptural elements, including
a living room grotto, sculpted concrete "stones," and tree-like
moldings. The exterior of the house is finished with multicolored
(green, blue, yellow, red, rust, beige, black) tinted stucco, carved
in the pattern of an uncoursed stone wall. A two-story front porch
is supported by two decorated columns, and includes an outdoor staircase.
Polychromatic pictorial details such as flowers and stars blend
with the faux wood and stone of the stuccoed surfaces. Gereno and
Carolina, his wife, lived in ground floor duplex. By 1960, Briones
completed a two-story tinted concrete addition which includes a
kitchen annex, guest room, and storage space. Briones also created
several concrete sculptures for the grounds of the house, including
flamingos, a settee, table and chairs, a flagpole/planter and basket.
He continually made small additions to the house until his death
in the late 1970s. Carolina continues to reside in their home.
El Centro Español
de Tampa | Casa Amadeo | Briones
House | Rodriguez Sculptures
Tumacacori NHP | Hispanic
Heritage Home | NR HOME
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