Architectural feature that needs to make a comeback: the conversation pit

[Brisketexan 105,079]

Was discussing 70s home architecture with @Ghost of LL today, and I shared that as a child of the 70s, I was always super-jealous when I visited someone's house and they had a kick-ass, super-awesome, neato, conversation pit.

 

Is there a cooler feature your house can have?  No, there is not.  Do these need to make a massive comeback?  Yes, they do.

I was a fan back then.  I am a fan today.  If I ever have to remodel my living area, you're goddamn right I'm adding a conversation pit.

[BigDHornfan 6,545]

Make it with removable furniture, put in a floor drain, and you can have fucking jello wrestling in your house.

[irishtexan 11,515]

7 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Was discussing 70s home architecture with @Ghost of LL today, and I shared that as a child of the 70s, I was always super-jealous when I visited someone's house and they had a kick-ass, super-awesome, neato, conversation pit.

 

Is there a cooler feature your house can have?  No, there is not.  Do these need to make a massive comeback?  Yes, they do.

I was a fan back then.  I am a fan today.  If I ever have to remodel my living area, you're goddamn right I'm adding a conversation pit.

Kegerator.

[irishtexan 11,515]

8 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

 

 

Also, is this a conversation pit for ants?

Looks like a set for a Wes Anderson stop-motion film featuring anthropomorphic squirrels, mice, moles and other small rodents. 

[Brisketexan 105,079]

2 minutes ago, BigDHornfan said:

Make it with removable furniture, put in a floor drain, and you can have fucking jello wrestling in your house.

GOLL's observation was "with a conversation pit, you've got a vibe that says 'an orgy might break out here at any time.'"  I say "feature, not a bug."  Because 70s vibe.

[SimonBolivar 10,957]

In the opposite direction of a conversation pit. I'd like to see more enclosed Mexican style courtyards in the US with a big ass gate instead of a front yard. That way I never have to see my neighbors again but can still sit outside.

 

[Biff Tannen 45,665]

I was born in 1982, but have always been under the assumption that these were really just sex pits.

[YGIFS 19,449]

Your mom's was in 1981.  

[Brisketexan 105,079]

17 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

In the opposite direction of a conversation pit. I'd like to see more enclosed Mexican style courtyards in the US with a big ass gate instead of a front yard. That way I never have to see my neighbors again but can still sit outside.

 

Co-sign.  As someone who grew up enjoying such courtyards in both mexico and New Orleans, I'm all about it.

[52-80 19,147]

18 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

In the opposite direction of a conversation pit. I'd like to see more enclosed Mexican style courtyards in the US with a big ass gate instead of a front yard. That way I never have to see my neighbors again but can still sit outside.

 

Theres a fair amount of “atrium house” around here — with these wraparound/interior yards.

They are *all* built in the same small period in the 1970s. The size and layout are still contemporary and useful, but i havent seen one thats been renovated to modern standards. 

Seems like everyone bought one at the same time, kept it identical forever, and now starting to sell them off. 

[rage-a-holic 4,381]

23 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

In the opposite direction of a conversation pit. I'd like to see more enclosed Mexican style courtyards in the US with a big ass gate instead of a front yard. That way I never have to see my neighbors again but can still sit outside.

 

These are pretty universal in that they don't have any yard. Which is great if you're a cat lady, but real men have dogs...that need a yard.

[SimonBolivar 10,957]

4 minutes ago, rage-a-holic said:

These are pretty universal in that they don't have any yard. Which is great if you're a cat lady, but real men have dogs...that need a yard.

I'm sure in 5 to 10 years everyone in Austin will have dog toilets and dog bidets. It'll just work out naturally.

Edited October 10, 2023 by SimonBolivar

[Armybrat 40,824]

16 minutes ago, SimonBolivar said:

I'm sure in 5 to 10 years everyone in Austin will have dog toilets and dog bidets. It'll just work out naturally.

Dog Depends.

[DixonHur 11,295]

I'm a mid-century modern fan, so I say bring back the wood.  The real stuff, not faux wood paneling.  Ceilings, walls, whatever...isn't it good, Norwegian wood.

[Brisketexan 105,079]

27 minutes ago, DixonHur said:

I'm a mid-century modern fan, so I say bring back the wood.  The real stuff, not faux wood paneling.  Ceilings, walls, whatever...isn't it good, Norwegian wood.

Do I dig the beanbag chairs that look like rocks?

Yes.  Yes I do.

[Underdog 28,584]

Was always envious of friend(s) who had an intercom in their house. 
 

Another 70s hit… 

 

[LebongJames 1,791]

My wealthiest friend growing up had a conversation pit with a giant stone fireplace and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen.

I was disappointed when they sold the house. I wonder if the new homeowners(or 10) have kept it.

[SHOOTER12 8,800]

3 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Was discussing 70s home architecture with @Ghost of LL today, and I shared that as a child of the 70s, I was always super-jealous when I visited someone's house and they had a kick-ass, super-awesome, neato, conversation pit.

 

Is there a cooler feature your house can have?  No, there is not.  Do these need to make a massive comeback?  Yes, they do.

I was a fan back then.  I am a fan today.  If I ever have to remodel my living area, you're goddamn right I'm adding a conversation pit.

Had 2 homes in Houston that had those and they are awesome imo.

[Rimbo 25,913]

3 hours ago, irishtexan said:

Also, is this a conversation pit for ants?

Looks like a set for a Wes Anderson stop-motion film featuring anthropomorphic squirrels, mice, moles and other small rodents. 

 

Tilt-shift lens. Has the effect of making things look like they're in miniature.

 

2 hours ago, 52-80 said:

Theres a fair amount of “atrium house” around here — with these wraparound/interior yards.

Grew up in a house with an enclosed atrium. Dad still has it. It was pretty cool having a garden in the middle of the house 365 days of the year.

 

[YGIFS 19,449]

Oh yeah Rimbo, what you been harvest in that atrium?  Seems to me you've been using it, not for flowers, but for growing doobie!  

My name is Matt Foley and I live in a van down by the river. Sounds grim, I know.  But due to a Brisket-financed lift kit...I was able to install a conversation/sex pit between the axles in the floorboard.  

[nnm 36,353]

3 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

I was born in 1982, but have always been under the assumption that these were really just sex pits.

(They were)

[Hook1997 5,351]

One of my friends parents recently bought a house in Brenham with one of these.  It’s definitely a differently designed house than anything else in the area, also has an indoor pool and hot tub room or did before they remodeled.  

[Dnaguy 11,920]

4 hours ago, Biff Tannen said:

I was born in 1982, but have always been under the assumption that these were really just sex pits.

 

1984… and yes, I too thought it was a sex thing.

As a child born in the 80’s, I just assumed all 70’s styling / things were due to drugs and sex parties. That’s why we had to worry about said drugs and AIDS, bc it was so rampant. 
 

It doesn’t have to make sense. It is as such a crazy weird time growing up in the 90’s. 

[Brisketexan 105,079]

One of my friends parents recently bought a house in Brenham with one of these.  It’s definitely a differently designed house than anything else in the area, also has an indoor pool and hot tub room or did before they remodeled.  

Now THAT….was a sex palace. Bravo for the designer.

[Dnaguy 11,920]

6 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Now THAT….was a sex palace. Bravo for the designer.

I believe they called it ‘The Creamery’ 

[Brisketexan 105,079]

I believe they called it ‘The Creamery’ 

Bra-vo.

[YGIFS 19,449]

19 minutes ago, Dnaguy said:

 

1984… and yes, I too thought it was a sex thing.

As a child born in the 80’s, I just assumed all 70’s styling / things were due to drugs and sex parties. That’s why we had to worry about said drugs and AIDS, bc it was so rampant.

It doesn’t have to make sense. It is as such a crazy weird time growing up in the 90’s. 

I was born right at the very tail-end of the massive drop-off in birth rates between '64-'76.  That half generation just fell off a cliff.  Leveled out into a much more steady decline after I was born. 

But I bet dollars to donuts, it was due largely to the advent and ubiquity of the conversation pit.  As mid-century and post-war construction gives way to the next phase of suburban and even high-rise multi-family dwellings, the 'Conversation Pit' idea takes off and fast right there in the back half of the 1960's to late 1970's.  A sort of rec room meets parlor meets den meets salon.  Proper cocktails, home cinemas, hi-fi for the great music of the day, artful decor, perfect for hosting, lounging, and cultural displays of hipness.  That was the first year.  By 1965, people realized it's absolutely perfect for coke and gin fueled key parties with Kubrick and Fleetwood Mac on the A/V system. The men are so fucked up on drugs and alcohol, nobody can climax.  Those that can "finish" in what they thought was a bushy blond in flowery panties, but turns out it was two pastel, velour throw pillows.  the women barely keep interest because Steve McQueen is on the tele and the ladies are discovering grass.  So the birth rates fall rapidly since people are fucking, but not procreating down in the Pit of Iniquity.  Where Earth Tones and Sperm live forever... 

[Dnaguy 11,920]

2 minutes ago, YGIFS said:

I was born right at the very tail-end of the massive drop-off in birth rates between '64-'76.  That half generation just fell off a cliff.  Leveled out into a much more steady decline after I was born. 

But I bet dollars to donuts, it was due largely to the advent and ubiquity of the conversation pit.  As mid-century and post-war construction gives way to the next phase of suburban and even high-rise multi-family dwellings, the 'Conversation Pit' idea takes off and fast right there in the back half of the 1960's to late 1970's.  A sort of rec room meets parlor meets den meets salon.  Proper cocktails, home cinemas, hi-fi for the great music of the day, artful decor, perfect for hosting, lounging, and cultural displays of hipness.  That was the first year.  By 1965, people realized it's absolutely perfect for coke and gin fueled key parties with Kubrick and Fleetwood Mac on the A/V system. The men are so fucked up on drugs and alcohol, nobody can climax.  Those that can "finish" in what they thought was a bushy blond in flowery panties, but turns out it was two pastel, velour throw pillows.  the women barely keep interest because Steve McQueen is on the tele and the ladies are discovering grass.  So the birth rates fall rapidly since people are fucking, but not procreating down in the Pit of Iniquity.  Where Earth Tones and Sperm live forever... 

 

Don McLean’s B-side was something else.

 

Who knew?

[Elvis 3,371]

[SHOOTER12 8,800]

5 hours ago, Rimbo said:

 

Tilt-shift lens. Has the effect of making things look like they're in miniature.

 

Grew up in a house with an enclosed atrium. Dad still has it. It was pretty cool having a garden in the middle of the house 365 days of the year.

 

My neighbor (and ex-girlfriend) in San Antonio had one, awesome as hell.

[SHOOTER12 8,800]

6 hours ago, Underdog said:

Was always envious of friend(s) who had an intercom in their house. 
 

Another 70s hit… 

 

South Austin's mom?  On plastic? Sheer genius.

[Pato del Muerto 52,487]

There’s a house in Arlington, on Fielder I think, black and white, with ramparts atop. Looks more like a fortress than a castle.  But is your normal 2 story 3k sq ft home otherwise. 
 

I always wondered what the inside looked like.  
 

I now presume that it must have a conversation pit. 

Edited October 11, 2023 by Pato del Muerto

[Laxtonto 12,078]

6 hours ago, SHOOTER12 said:

Had 2 homes in Houston that had those and they are awesome imo.

Did your front door look like this?

[SHOOTER12 8,800]

1 hour ago, Laxtonto said:

Did your front door look like this?

Lol, no sir, afraid not.

[Okie State 3,815]

Our current house was built in the 80's. All of them in our small neighborhood had the same builder and nearly all have a sunken wet bar area. Many of the homes are turning over from their original owners and some of the new people are renovating and removing them. I'm leaving ours although I need to think about how to update it.

[Guest]

I like the conversation pit, but the courtyard with large covered walkways I'm obsessed with. I want nothing more than a spanish style home with a courtyard and pool in the middle. 

 

[troph 24,781]

1 hour ago, FirstTimeCaller said:

I like the conversation pit, but the courtyard with large covered walkways I'm obsessed with. I want nothing more than a spanish style home with a courtyard and pool in the middle. 

 

We vacationed in Antigua Guatemala one year and stayed in a house like this it was spectacular.
 

I have a Spanish friend who has a house like this - in Austin. He also has a separate building for his record collection. Wall to wall, ceiling to ceiling vinyl. He might have every rock, blues, jazz, funk, etc. album ever recorded. 
 

We have a modern mid-century design and almost put in a step down living room but decided against it so we could more easily live here in our 70s and 80s. More likely we will move sooner for weather now. 

Edited October 11, 2023 by troph

[gsoda3 3,248]

there are more homes than you think in the jollyville area that have these.  i think they're terrible death traps.  

[Guest]

1 minute ago, gsoda3 said:

there are more homes than you think in the jollyville area that have these.  i think they're terrible death traps.  

Yeah, a couple of bottles of wine in the conversation pit with your couple friends from next door and I bet you forget there were steps.

[Pato del Muerto 52,487]

3 hours ago, troph said:

We vacationed in Antigua Guatemala one year and stayed in a house like this it was spectacular.
 

I have a Spanish friend who has a house like this - in Austin. He also has a separate building for his record collection. Wall to wall, ceiling to ceiling vinyl. He might have every rock, blues, jazz, funk, etc. album ever recorded. 
 

We have a modern mid-century design and almost put in a step down living room but decided against it so we could more easily live here in our 70s and 80s. More likely we will move sooner for weather now. 

I hope that record room has a serious fire suppression system

[Incredulity 11,655]

11 hours ago, Laxtonto said:

Did your front door look like this?

[tequila 317]

16 hours ago, Dnaguy said:

I believe they called it ‘The Creamery’ 

Username and what not.

[troph 24,781]

1 hour ago, FirstTimeCaller said:

Yeah, a couple of bottles of wine in the conversation pit with your couple friends from next door and I bet you forget there were steps.

who cares you just had an epic swinger orgy.

[troph 24,781]

1 hour ago, Pato del Muerto said:

I hope that record room has a serious fire suppression system

don't know but it's one of the most unbelievable things I've ever seen. 

[Beau Vine 54,208]

2 hours ago, gsoda3 said:

there are more homes than you think in the jollyville area that have these.  i think they're terrible death traps.  

[Trey3216 15,345]

23 hours ago, SimonBolivar said:

In the opposite direction of a conversation pit. I'd like to see more enclosed Mexican style courtyards in the US with a big ass gate instead of a front yard. That way I never have to see my neighbors again but can still sit outside.

 

Noche de fiesta

Todos vienen a celebrar! 

 

[mchookem 16,322]

this one came with a Manhattan apartment. 

[NorthLoop 14,183]

Well shit. This thread just blew my mind. In "Catch Me If You Can" when that drunk chick says someone just fell into the conversation pit, I always thought it was a metaphor. 

[Tex Long 4,383]

On 10/10/2023 at 2:15 PM, BigDHornfan said:

Make it with removable furniture, put in a floor drain, and you can have fucking jello wrestling in your house.

You spelled "wesson oil" wrong.

[jeevsie 3,733]

14 hours ago, mchookem said:

this one came with a Manhattan apartment. 

Zubi zubi zu!