Recently we had the honor of participating in DeTours, Bluegrass Trust’s monthly architectural tour series, where we were able to show guests behind the scenes of one of our historical restoration projects: a full restoration of one of Richard B. Isenhour’s modernist gems in Lexington.
Born in Nashville in 1924, Richard B. Isenhour became one of Lexington’s most impactful architects after a midlife decision to leave his job as a chemical engineer and pursue architecture. He moved to Lexington in 1952, where he began working for his father-in-law, A.B. Henry, at his local construction business.
During this period, Isenhour developed a deep practical sense of construction, materials, and building techniques. Complemented by a later architecture degree from the University of Kentucky, Isenhour quickly became one of Lexington’s most prolific and forward-thinking residential architects.
Isenhour was one of the first to help bring modernist design to Lexington. He was known for the spacious interiors, abundant natural light, and signature sawtooth rooflines of his designs – even as they evolved over the course of his career from midcentury ranch-style residences to more distinctive, minimalist designs. Also ever-present in Isenhour’s work was the use of local materials like Kentucky limestone and a deep appreciation for the natural landscape surrounding each project.
A few years ago, we had the honor of restoring one of Isenhour’s most distinctive designs from the ground up. At 50 years old, the home was in need of intervention both inside and out to maintain its comfortability and original beauty – an incorrectly pitched roof had contributed to moisture intake over the course of many years, and a lack of insulation contributed to outdated energy standards. An addition to the original floor plan was also created during this process to house an indoor pool and a covered second-story patio.
We worked closely with longtime partners Gibson Taylor Thompson and Dovetail Design to reconstruct this midcentury design in a way that honored Isenhour’s vision while preparing the home to best serve the next several generations. “We literally took the house down to the studs,” says Austin, “on the outside and inside, and we re-sheathed the whole house – new insulation, new flashing – so it’s up to our standards, from an energy efficiency standpoint, but you really wouldn’t know when you drive up to it that we took all that back down.”
Isenhour’s philosophy of using top quality building materials to add character and longevity is also deeply rooted in our own construction practice – local river bed stone, vertical pipe siding, and horizontal rough sawn cedar siding add layers of color, depth, and texture, and the careful application of these materials protects the home itself.
The interior respects midcentury design while creating an inviting and practical space for modern living. Walnut and warm-toned wood create warmth throughout the open living spaces, while steel and concrete keep the space modern and distinctive. The entire home is full of natural light, creating a sense of relaxation, openness, and connection with the tree-filled surroundings and lake views.
It’s a central part of our mission to honor and support Kentucky’s rich architectural tradition, and it’s projects like these that allow us to not only create our own legacy, but contribute to the work of those who came before us. As Austin reflects on the project, “When you’re really intentional with these historic houses that have a story, and you really understand what the previous architect or builder had in mind and what the intention was, and you respect that, then you step back after the project’s done, and you just feel so good about it.”
You can view the official Bluegrass Trust DeTours video here.