Markel Building, Richmond, VA
5310 Markel Rd.
The plaque reads:
"The Markel Corporation commissioned architect Haig Jamgochian, a Richmond native, to design their headquarters in 1962. The aluminum clad conical structure was inspired by a baked potato wrapped in foil served to Jamgochian while attending an American Institute of Architect's dinner. Each floor consists of a single piece of 555-foot aluminum. They are the longest unbroken pieces of aluminum ever used as siding material. Jamgochian personally sledge-hammered crinkles into the 3rd floor siding before contractors finished the job on the other two floors in 1965. The building is a unique architectural example of its era."
The only other building ever constructed from Jamgochian's plans was the Moon House, the home of Mad Man Dapper Dan, the Used Car Man ("I'd give them away, but my wife won't let me.") The Moon House, unfortunately, was torn down in 2005.
Here’s a few links I found when I posted a pic of the Markel Building 15 years ago. Surprisingly, they all still work.
The first one is a profile of Jamgochian from Style Weekly: www.styleweekly.com/the-visionary/
This one has a little bit of info about the Moon House, also from Style Weekly: www.styleweekly.com/does-the-moon-house-need-saving/
And this one covers a little bit of everything, including a picture of the Moon House, plus a drawing and a model for other buildings that were never built: harrykollatz.blogspot.com/2008/01/shows-go-on-firehouse-s...
One more: a little more info on the Markel Building plus the (sadly) long-demolished Executive Motor Hotel: www.styleweekly.com/richmond/space-aged/Content?oid=1361155
Markel Building, Richmond, VA
5310 Markel Rd.
The plaque reads:
"The Markel Corporation commissioned architect Haig Jamgochian, a Richmond native, to design their headquarters in 1962. The aluminum clad conical structure was inspired by a baked potato wrapped in foil served to Jamgochian while attending an American Institute of Architect's dinner. Each floor consists of a single piece of 555-foot aluminum. They are the longest unbroken pieces of aluminum ever used as siding material. Jamgochian personally sledge-hammered crinkles into the 3rd floor siding before contractors finished the job on the other two floors in 1965. The building is a unique architectural example of its era."
The only other building ever constructed from Jamgochian's plans was the Moon House, the home of Mad Man Dapper Dan, the Used Car Man ("I'd give them away, but my wife won't let me.") The Moon House, unfortunately, was torn down in 2005.
Here’s a few links I found when I posted a pic of the Markel Building 15 years ago. Surprisingly, they all still work.
The first one is a profile of Jamgochian from Style Weekly: www.styleweekly.com/the-visionary/
This one has a little bit of info about the Moon House, also from Style Weekly: www.styleweekly.com/does-the-moon-house-need-saving/
And this one covers a little bit of everything, including a picture of the Moon House, plus a drawing and a model for other buildings that were never built: harrykollatz.blogspot.com/2008/01/shows-go-on-firehouse-s...
One more: a little more info on the Markel Building plus the (sadly) long-demolished Executive Motor Hotel: www.styleweekly.com/richmond/space-aged/Content?oid=1361155