366:. His witty, syndicated column, "Shull's Mailbag", ran in 260 newspapers. He was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame in 2005 and died in 2007. The couple, known to friends as "Ave and Arky ", had two daughters, Bambi (1960) and September (1966). Shull ran her design and construction business out of the home she designed for her family on a 40-acre tract of land north of Carmel. She died on March 6, 1976, of complications from diabetes. Shull was a Christian Scientist; a member of the Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist.
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Estates was subsequently added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 2019. Shull was a member of the National Association of Home Builders and the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis. For more than twenty years, Shull designed and built modern single-family homes, apartment complexes, churches, shopping centers, libraries, and other commercial and industrial buildings that challenged traditional styles and reflected her artistic flair.
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subdivision is unusual for the exclusive use of Shull's modern-style home designs. Most post-World War II homes, especially in more conservative areas such as central
Indiana, were revival-style or simple ranch homes. To attract homebuyers to Thornhurst, especially the growing number of U.S. military veterans and their families who were eligible for low-interest loans under the
215:, the subdivision is unusual for its large concentration of Shull's strikingly-designed homes. In addition to the design work, Shull supervised construction, laying stone on many of the homes' exteriors herself; coordinated interior design; and assisted in furniture selection. Between 1956 and 1971 Shull designed and built twenty-one houses in Thornhurst.
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designed and supervised the construction of her first project, the "Golden
Unicorn", a modern-style home in Carmel, Indiana, named after the unicorn installed on an exterior wall. In 1955, Shull began her first large-scale construction project, a new suburban development on a large parcel of land just west of what is now downtown Carmel. Named Christie's
307:, which allowed for expansive, floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors; vertical siding; and decorative escutcheon plates on exterior doors. Shull's concept for a modern home design combined streamlined interiors with casual living spaces outdoors. Her interior sketches showed modern, informal living areas with easy-to-maintain furnishings.
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Carmel, Indiana, and specialized in modern-style home designs. By 1954 she had designed and supervised the construction of her first home, a project that launched her career as an architectural designer and builder. The "Golden
Unicorn", a modern-style home in Carmel, was named after the unicorn installed on an exterior wall.
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and others, designed and built modern-style homes, none of them tackled entire additions in the modern style like Shull did at
Thornhurst. The project helped establish "Avriel" as a brand that represented modern architectural style. Soon, Shull began to expand her client list and portfolio with other
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Following her marriage to
Indianapolis newspaperman Richard K. Shull in 1951, the young, self-employed artist shifted her focus to building design and construction projects. Even though she lacked formal architectural training, Shull launched Avriel, her architectural design and construction firm in
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Despite her early death, Shull left behind a number of modern-style homes. The
Thornhurst Addition, which includes twentyone of her designs, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 and is noted for its mid-century modern architecture and the work of a master builder. Ladywood
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Shull's other notable designs for commercial and industrial buildings the REA Terminal at
English Avenue in Indianapolis and the Keystone Square Shopping Center in Carmel. She also designed the Woodland Springs Christian Church and the Woodland Springs Clubhouse in Carmel. Her first major project
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Shull took a hands-on approach to developing the
Thornhurst subdivision. Shull designed homes, supervised construction (often laying stone on home exteriors herself), coordinated interior design, and assisted in furniture selection. In 1957 the original plat was revised with a second addition.
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in Carmel, Indiana. Shull also designed a number of custom homes in
Indianapolis's toniest suburbs, in other Indiana towns, and in other states. In the 1970s Shull began selling house plans in do-it-yourself home building periodicals, which were sold in the United States and Canada. Shull also
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Shull, a self-taught artist without a degree in architecture (in fact with no college degree of any sort), devoted her artistic skills to building projects. A female builder/designer was unique for the time, but even more so was Shull's lack of formal architectural training. By 1954 Shull had
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Shull designed a few commercial and industrial properties, but most of her projects were single-family homes. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Shull-designed custom homes could be found in subdivisions around Hamilton and Marion counties, especially in upscale Indianapolis and Carmel suburban
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Shull's first large-scale construction project was a suburban development on her parents' property, just west of what is now downtown Carmel, Indiana. In 1955 Shull's parents signed a certificate of survey for the first section of a new subdivision named Christie's Thornhurst Addition. The
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developments such as Springmill Estates, Williams Creek Heights, Somerset Hills, Devon Woods, Meridian Hills, Village Farms, Eden Estates and Williston Green. As Shull's reputation increased, so did the number of custom-built homes in other Indiana towns, such as
207:. She left school before completing her degree in 1948 to launch her own commercial art business. In 1951 she married Richard K. Shull, a well-known Indianapolis journalist who became a syndicated columnist and television critic. The couple had two daughters.
262:. She left school without earning a college degree and started her own commercial art business, Avriel Art Associates, in Indianapolis in 1948. Shull was a woman of "high energy and imagination". Within a few years, she had switched to architectural design.
323:, and in other states. In the 1970s Shull began selling home design plans through Hudson Home Publications and other do-it-yourself home building periodicals, which were sold in the U.S. and Canada.
167:; February 9, 1931 ā March 6, 1976) was an American architectural designer/builder and interior decorator whose career spanned from the 1950s until her death in 1976. She is best known for her
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was subsequently added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. The Avriel Shull architectural collection is housed at the Indiana Historical Society. Shull was a member of the
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architectural designs, which are especially unusual given the predominantly traditional tastes of mid-century Indiana. Most of Shull's projects were single-family homes around Hamilton and
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outside of Indiana was a design for the Elkins Public Library, in Elkins, West Virginia. She also did designs for restaurants, including the Totem Pole Restaurant in Carmel and one in
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Shull died in 1976 of complications from diabetes. Despite her early death, she left behind a raft of Avriel-designed homes. Christie's Thornhurst Addition was listed on the
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The large parcel of land is located on the northeast corner of College Avenue (now Guilford Avenue) and State Road 234 (now Main Street). See Indiana Historical Society,
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246:. At a young age the Christies recognized their daughter's talent for art. She became especially interested in clothing and interior design. After graduating from
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There is a discrepancy in her birth year. Newspaper obituaries list the year as 1933; however, other official documents identify her birth year as 1931. See
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While Shull's focus on modern-style homes set her apart from other designer/builders, she was certainly not alone. Notable architects such as
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guidelines. The FHA approved Shull's plans for the first three home designs for Thornhurst, which made them eligible for FHA financing.
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designed apartment buildings and commercial/industrial properties. Her first major project outside of Indiana was a public library in
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lead the way, influencing the work of others. Shull's designs shared some similarities with Eichler's California Contemporary homes:
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design for this project included post-and-beam construction, expansive panels of windows, stone masonry, and varied roof shapes.
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Between 1956 and 1971 Shull designed and built twenty-one homes in Thornhurst. Although Indianapolis architects, including
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999:"National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
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532:"National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
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334:. Indianapolis attorney Frederick J. Capp hired her to design the Ladywood Estates complex in 1965. Shull's
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Born on February 9, 1931, Avriel Joy Christie was the daughter of Donald E. and Genevieve Christie of
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columnist. Richard Shull, who became Indianapolis's first TV critic, worked for the Indianapolis
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Shull's apartment designs include Somerset Lakes at 73rd Street and Keystone Avenue and the
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485:"National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Thornhurst Addition"
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in 2010 for its mid-century modern architecture and as the work of a master builder.
1119:
Zeigler, Connie (Fall 2012). "'Living Furiously': The Design Life of Avriel Shull".
468:. Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology
463:"Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD)"
443:
Zeigler, Connie (Fall 2012). "'Living Furiously': The Design Life of Avriel Shull".
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288:
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magazine in 1951, with a follow-up story on the couple a year later. See Zeigler,
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Zeigler, Connie (Summer 2009). "Thornhurst Addition: When Indiana Went Atomic".
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Only seven homes not designed by Shull are part of the Thornhurst addition. See
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398:. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Library Edition (library subscription needed). 2011
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apartment community at the intersection of Emerson Way and Ladywood Drive in
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1051:. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. August 16, 2005. Archived from
679:. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. August 16, 2005. Archived from
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Born Avriel Joy Christie in Hamilton County, Indiana, she graduated from
1013:
Avriel Shull: A self-made architect focused on livable midcentury design
1134:"National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Thornhurst Addition"
803:"National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Thornhurst Addition"
808:. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service. p. 10. Archived from
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counties in central Indiana, most notably the homes in Christie's
1046:"Avriel Shull Architectural Records, 1949ā1999, Collection Guide"
755:"Avriel Shull Architectural Records, 1949ā1999, Collection Guide"
674:"Avriel Shull Architectural Records, 1949ā1999, Collection Guide"
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On April 7, 1951, she married Richard K. Shull, an Indianapolis
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The apartment community has been converted into condominiums.
451:(4). Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society: 47, 54 and 55.
1093:. Indianapolis, IN. March 7, 1976. p. Section 1, p. 10.
714:. Indianapolis, IN. March 7, 1976. p. Section 1, p. 10.
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Their lavish wedding was covered in a multi-page spread in
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1028:. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. Archived from
731:. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. Archived from
1139:. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service. Archived from
184:. She also did designs for restaurants, including one in
1102:. Indianapolis, IN: MacDuff Realty Group. Archived from
617:. Indianapolis, IN: MacDuff Realty Group. Archived from
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and the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis.
1127:(4). Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society: 46ā55.
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Architectural designer/builder and interior decorator
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977:, Urban Times Online, retrieved January 10, 2013.
418:"Forgotten graves of notable Indianapolis people"
1089:"Mrs. Richard K. Shull, Famed Architect, Dies".
710:"Mrs. Richard K. Shull, Famed Architect, Dies".
1075:. Indianapolis, IN. March 10, 1976. p. 10.
1084:. Indianapolis, IN. March 8, 1976. p. 8.
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559:. Indianapolis, IN. March 8, 1976. p. 8.
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1100:"Avriel Shull ā A Woman Ahead of Her Time"
615:"Avriel Shull ā A Woman Ahead of Her Time"
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1121:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
1080:"Memorial Rites Held For Avriel Shull".
988:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
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911:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
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766:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
582:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
555:"Memorial Rites Held For Avriel Shull".
543:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
445:Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History
1132:Zeigler, Connie J. (December 8, 2008).
801:Zeigler, Connie J. (December 8, 2008).
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1193:Herron School of Art and Design alumni
510:"National Register Information System"
854:Zeigler, Connie (September 4, 2011).
279:, Shull designed modern homes to fit
228:National Association of Home Builders
7:
1026:"A Family's Search for Avriel Shull"
858:. Urban Times Online. Archived from
729:"A Family's Search for Avriel Shull"
515:National Register of Historic Places
220:National Register of Historic Places
49:move details into the article's body
764:and Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
483:Connie J. Ziegler (December 2008).
420:. Indianapolis, IN: IndyStar. 2015
14:
1208:20th-century American architects
110:, Hamilton County, Indiana, U.S.
25:
1098:Shoemaker, Joe (May 11, 2010).
986:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
949:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
936:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
909:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
896:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
880:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
833:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
786:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
613:Shoemaker, Joe (May 11, 2010).
580:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
541:Zeigler, "'Living Furiously'",
281:Federal Housing Administration
18:American architect (1931ā1976)
1:
499:and Accompanying photographs.
396:"Social Security Death Index"
362:and later, the Indianapolis
188:and one in Carmel, Indiana.
1218:20th-century American women
1203:People from Carmel, Indiana
760:September 17, 2012, at the
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344:San Bernardino, California
305:post-and-beam construction
1213:American women architects
256:John Herron School of Art
201:John Herron School of Art
1188:Butler University alumni
297:Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
244:Hamilton County, Indiana
89:Hamilton County, Indiana
973:March 21, 2012, at the
1058:on September 17, 2012
686:on September 17, 2012
520:National Park Service
466:(Searchable database)
260:Indianapolis, Indiana
205:Indianapolis, Indiana
182:Elkins, West Virginia
1106:on December 11, 2011
1032:on November 28, 2012
735:on November 28, 2012
621:on December 11, 2011
953:, table of contents
862:on November 3, 2012
545:, p. 49, 54 and 55.
350:Marriage and family
234:Youth and education
213:Thornhurst Addition
177:Thornhurst Addition
165:Avriel Joy Christie
120:Crown Hill Cemetery
82:Avriel Joy Christie
1146:on August 24, 2010
815:on August 24, 2010
336:mid-century modern
248:Carmel High School
193:Carmel High School
169:mid-century modern
1091:Indianapolis Star
1082:Indianapolis News
1073:Indianapolis News
712:Indianapolis Star
557:Indianapolis News
252:Butler University
197:Butler University
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135:Years active
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1071:"Avriel Shull".
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1161:Atomic Ranch
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237:
217:
209:
190:
164:
161:Avriel Shull
160:
159:
102:(1976-03-06)
72:Avriel Shull
54:
37:lead section
35:
15:
1183:1976 deaths
1178:1931 births
1150:January 11,
1062:January 10,
1036:January 10,
866:January 10,
819:January 11,
739:January 10,
690:January 10,
424:February 3,
122:, NICH 47-D
108:Noblesville
1172:Categories
402:January 9,
379:References
321:Brownsburg
317:South Bend
313:Evansville
292:projects.
186:California
138:1950sā1976
57:April 2022
1110:March 19,
625:March 19,
277:G.I. Bill
47:and help
990:, p. 55.
971:Archived
940:, p. 54.
913:, p. 51.
900:, p. 53.
837:, p. 52.
790:, p. 50.
768:, p. 49.
758:Archived
584:, p. 49.
493:April 1,
472:April 1,
254:and the
199:and the
151:Children
1019:Sources
319:, and
266:Career
240:Carmel
173:Marion
163:(born
143:Spouse
91:, U.S.
1144:(PDF)
1137:(PDF)
1056:(PDF)
1049:(PDF)
813:(PDF)
806:(PDF)
684:(PDF)
677:(PDF)
488:(PDF)
479:Note:
360:Times
356:Times
1152:2013
1112:2012
1064:2013
1038:2013
964:Life
868:2013
821:2013
741:2013
692:2013
627:2012
495:2016
474:2016
426:2019
404:2013
364:News
299:and
97:Died
78:Born
258:in
203:in
1174::
1125:24
1123:.
927:^
889:^
842:^
773:^
720:^
700:^
635:^
589:^
565:^
518:.
512:.
449:24
447:.
434:^
387:^
346:.
315:,
242:,
1154:.
1114:.
1066:.
1040:.
870:.
823:.
743:.
694:.
629:.
497:.
476:.
428:.
406:.
154:2
59:)
55:(
51:.
41:.
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