A Rare Look Inside Robert Bruno’s Steel House at Ransom Canyon [Video + Photos]
The massive steel structure looming out over the edge of a bluff at Ransom Canyon has long been the subject of envy, admiration and wonder worldwide. We got the rare opportunity to walk inside Robert Bruno's steel house.
We spoke with Ronnie Hill, an artist, photographer and resident of Ransom Canyon who connected us with Henry Martinez, the administrator of the late Robert Bruno's steel house.
Martinez not only agreed to take us inside the house and provide us all-access, but told us stories about the steel house's construction and the obstacles creator Robert Bruno encountered along the way.
The idea for the steel house came to Robert Bruno when he sat under the much smaller prototype (which Texas Tech University now owns) back in the 1970s, said Martinez. Bruno wondered to himself that if he could sit under the structure, why not make it bigger and sit inside.
According to Martinez, Bruno was a "perfectionist who went to great lengths to weld the metal and place the stained glass throughout the house in an artistic way that was true to his vision."
Thirty two years later, the steel house not only became his home, but a feat of engineering and art that sparked interest both locally and globally. Twill and Vogue magazines both did photo shoots and stories on the house.
Martinez told us a common misconception was that Bruno was a millionaire. That's far from the truth, he said. Bruno actually got the metal used for the structure locally from Jarvis Metals and worked tirelessly on his vision for over 30 years.
The sad part of this story is that Bruno only got to live in his dream home for seven months before passing away.
Martinez says that Bruno was a kind and gentle man who's passion for water conservation and for his vision to come to fruition were the main driving forces in his life. The things that meant the most to Robert Bruno were sunrises, sunsets, art, design, water conservation and family, he said.
Bruno's daughter is now the owner of the house, and while it remains uninhabited, it will be open for viewing during the Vision of Art tour, Sunday, October 4 at Ransom Canyon.
Tickets will be $10, and attendees will be able to tour Bruno's steel house, as well as visit the Ransom Canyon Ranch House for a wine and cheese reception and art sale featuring work from 13 artists who live in Ransom Canyon.