Lembke House
312 Laguna St., SW, Albuquerque, NMOne of the purest residential examples of the Le Corbusier International Style in New Mexico, the Lembke House was designed by Townes & Funk, an Amarillo, Texas architectural firm. The house was constructed in the depths of the Depression as a speculative venture in the new, slowly developing Huning Castle Addition (now generally known as the Country Club area) by building contractor Charles Lembke, its original occupant, in 1932-33. Boldly different, with its curved three-story glass brick bay and pure horizontal planes, from the neighboring southwestern styled buildings, it demonstrates an attempt to bring a fresh, modern style of architecture to Albuquerque.
Exposing interior spaces to abundant sources of natural light by an unusual window design and incorporating a powerful cooling and ventilation system, this house provided an unusual and practical answer to the housing needs of the Southwest. It is a fine example of its style, in a graceful, park-like setting.
The current owners recognized the particular quality of their house, and have sought to enhance it through a careful preservation program, and through choice of period furnishings that repeat the streamlined, modernistic quality of the house.
Charles Lembke, the contractor-owner, is the son of a stone-maker from Indiana who stopped in Santa Fe to work on a new capitol building and later started the Edward Lembke Co., a construction firm that worked on Hodgin Hall, one of the first buildings on the University of New Mexico campus (National Register). Charles Lembke graduated from the University in 1912, with the school's first civil engineering degree; after service in World War I, he went into business with his father and eventually took over the firm, still one of Albuquerque's most important. Lembke has played a large part in the building of modern Albuquerque; appropriately, this house which he built for his family shows his interest in new designs and techniques which continues to the present.
Local significance of the building:
Exposing interior spaces to abundant sources of natural light by an unusual window design and incorporating a powerful cooling and ventilation system, this house provided an unusual and practical answer to the housing needs of the Southwest. It is a fine example of its style, in a graceful, park-like setting.
The current owners recognized the particular quality of their house, and have sought to enhance it through a careful preservation program, and through choice of period furnishings that repeat the streamlined, modernistic quality of the house.
Charles Lembke, the contractor-owner, is the son of a stone-maker from Indiana who stopped in Santa Fe to work on a new capitol building and later started the Edward Lembke Co., a construction firm that worked on Hodgin Hall, one of the first buildings on the University of New Mexico campus (National Register). Charles Lembke graduated from the University in 1912, with the school's first civil engineering degree; after service in World War I, he went into business with his father and eventually took over the firm, still one of Albuquerque's most important. Lembke has played a large part in the building of modern Albuquerque; appropriately, this house which he built for his family shows his interest in new designs and techniques which continues to the present.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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New Mexico has been inhabited by various indigenous groups for thousands of years, including the Puebloan peoples who built elaborate cliff dwellings such as those found at the Bandelier National Monument.
About Bernalillo County
Bernalillo County Timeline
Bernalillo County, located in the central part of the U.S. state of New Mexico, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Tiwa and Tanoan people, who lived off the land and established settlements along the Rio Grande.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
In 1540, Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into what is now Bernalillo County. The Spanish established several missions and settlements in the region, including the Alameda Mission and the village of Alburquerque (later renamed Albuquerque). These early settlements laid the foundation for the region's future development.
During the 19th century, Bernalillo County experienced significant growth with the arrival of American pioneers and traders. The region became an important trading post along the historic Santa Fe Trail, further connecting it to the expanding western frontier. In 1851, Bernalillo County was officially established as one of the original nine counties in the newly formed New Mexico Territory.
Bernalillo County played a significant role during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. It served as a strategic location for both sides, as the Rio Grande acted as a natural barrier. The county saw battles, skirmishes, and military engagements, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
In the 20th century, Bernalillo County continued to grow and develop, becoming an important center for government, commerce, and culture in New Mexico. Today, the county is home to the vibrant city of Albuquerque, which is the state's largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the region. Bernalillo County's rich history can be seen through its diverse architectural styles, cultural traditions, and landmarks that reflect the people who have called this area home throughout the centuries.
Bernalillo County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- 1692: Bernalillo County established as part of New Spain's Santa Ana Pueblo land grant.
- 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Bernalillo County becomes part of the Republic of Mexico.
- 1848: Bernalillo County is ceded to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War.
- 1852: Bernalillo County officially organized as a county within the New Mexico Territory.
- 1880: Completion of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line through Bernalillo County stimulates growth and development in the region.
- 1902: The county seat is moved from Albuquerque to nearby Los Ranchos.
- 1930: The county seat is moved back to Albuquerque due to the city's rapid growth and importance.
- 1960s: Bernalillo County experiences significant population growth as a result of urbanization and suburban development.
- 2000s: Bernalillo County implements various initiatives to promote economic development, community engagement, and sustainable growth.