University of Houston Students Document Jens Ringness House

 On a crisp, autumn day in Bosque County, the Ringness house was a-buzz with architecture students from the Jim Dunlap’s University of Houston class.  The students measured all sections of the house, took copious pictures of details and the house as a whole, and explored the surrounding area for evidence of earlier structures and artifacts.  Upon returning to Houston, they will complete detailed drawings of the structure, suggest stages and methods for restoration, and possible uses for the restored building. 

 The group spent last summer in Mexico documenting a 500 year old monastery.  Other projects they are engaged in include the famous “beer can house” in downtown Houston, a faux art project.  “These real world projects are invaluable to our program,”  said Arnold, Director of the program.  “They allow students to interface with the kinds of people they will need to work with in the future:  artisans, workmen, and customers.” 

 The students visited the Bosque County Memorial Museum and toured the Norse Historical District.  “A rural historical district such as you have here is exceedingly rare,”  stated Arnold;  “You folks have a real treasure in the many sites still standing.”  Both Arnold and Amber Ritter, a student who is working on this project for two classes and who plans to design the project for final use, plan to return to Bosque County later in the semester. 

 While in Bosque County, the students stayed in the homes of Virgil and Betty Tindall and Charles and Mary Ann Stokely.  They were treated meals both Friday and Saturday evening.  “The hospitality was great, and the countryside beautiful,”  they enthusiastically related.

 Arnold has plans to extend the program to include later stages of the Ringness project, such as moving the building and final architectural drawings.  This partnership will be of infinite benefit to the Norwegian Society, as the cost of hiring an architectural firm to complete a restoration plan can cost up to $24,000.  The enumeration to the University is based on costs of transporting the students to the site and any donation the project can give.  “This is very exciting, working with these young people,”  said Betty Tindall.  “We are receiving the benefit of an experienced restoration architect, such as Jim Arnold, for a very small investment.  Jim is willing to work with artisans of our choice, as well as to present us with options in the process of moving the building.”

 The students who spent the weekend at the site were:  Hande Aydin, Ian Lawson, Holly Nichols, Kimberly Radich, Amber Ritter, and Chris Roberts.