Features

Welcome to the Features Section of PrairieMod!

Many times we'd like to dig deeper into particular PrairieMod topics than what a regular daily blog post allows us. So, we created this special section to showcase more in-depth stories on design, products, people, places, ideas and events that promote a principle-based modern lifestyle.

We'll regularly be exploring a range of topics that will fall under 6 different feature categories: Build, Think, Make, Connect, Live and Recall. To find out more about what these categories cover, read our Submissions page.

We're also looking to feature your own stories! If you've got a PrairieMod-related topic or idea that you'd like to share, please let us know. Get all the details about submitting a feature here.

CONNECT :: New Look At Mr. Wright's Towering Masterpiece

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARK HERTZBERG, AUTHOR OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S SC JOHNSON RESEARCH TOWER

When it opened in 1950, Frank Lloyd Wright's SC Johnson Research Tower in Racine, Wisconsin, instantly became an icon of modern architecture. Rising like a giant sequoia on the prairie, The fifteen-story skyscraper is the only existing example of Wright's ambitious taproot design and a marvel of engineering. H. F. Johnson Jr., president of the SC Johnson & Son Company, commissioned Wright in 1943 to design a new research and development space that would foster inspiration and spark innovative new products for the company. Frank Lloyd Wright accepted the challenge and his remarkable vertical creation became the perfect consort for the streamlined Administration Building nearby. Although it received critical acclaim and stands as a monument of architectural ingenuity, it was ultimately closed by the SC Johnson Company 31 years after it opened, due to several factors of impracticality. It has been well-maintained, but closed to people and the public ever since.

Luckily, Frank Lloyd Wright's SC Johnson Research Tower, by author, professional photographer and blogger Mark Hertzberg is an unprecedented exploration of this enigmatic structure by America's most acclaimed architect. PrairieMod took the opportunity to interview Mr. Hertzberg about the building, the book and his experience writing it.

CONNECT :: Get To Know The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

AN INTERVIEW WITH JANET HALSTEAD, EXEC. DIRECTOR OF THE FLW BUILDING CONSERVANCY

Preserving the architectural legacy of America's most famous architect can often times be a daunting task. It is often a delicate balancing act between the needs of building owners, the interests of local governments or organizations, other not-for-profits and concerned Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts of all stripes. Luckily, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is up for that challenge.

Formed in the late 1980s in response to the alarming increase in the destruction and strip-mining of Wright-related buildings and artifacts, the decision was made to create an official non-profit organization called the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. Since then, the Conservancy has played an integral role in the saving of a number of houses, including Auldbrass Plantation (1940, Yemassee, SC), the Allen Friedman House (1956, Bannockburn, IL) the Goetsch-Winckler House (1939, Okemos, MI), the Gordon House (1956, Wilsonville, OR), the Westcott House (1904, Springfield, OH), the Glasner House (1905, Glencoe, IL) and the Duncan House (1957, Lisle, IL). More recently, the organization partnered with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to help secure the vast archive of Wright materials that we're recently placed on the auction block at Bonham's. PrairieMod thought it would be a great opportunity to interview the Conservancy's executive director, Janet Halstead, to find out more about this fascinating and important organization.

CONNECT :: LAMA On The Wright Rug

AN INTERVIEW WITH PETER LOUGHREY, DIRECTOR OF LOS ANGELES MODERN AUCTIONS

When architecturally significant houses change hands there is often much angst felt in the historic preservation community. New owners routinely alter original spaces, remove significant building fabric, sell-off integral furnishings or raze structures altogether to make way for often bigger and rarely better houses.

When the David and Gladys Wright residence came on the market in 2008, many Frank Lloyd Wright devotees nervously waited to see if new owners would act as responsible stewards of this important home. Emotions subsequently ran high when news broke a few months after the home's sale that one of its most famous furnishings, the brightly-colored living room rug designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, would be sold at Los Angeles Modern Auctions' (LAMA) Spring 2010 Auction. PrairieMod decided to interview LAMA's Director, Peter Loughrey, on the circumstances of the rug's sale and issues related to selling architecturally significant works.

MAKE :: The Vintage Gouache Stylings of Matte Stephens

AN INTERVIEW WITH ILLUSTRATOR MATTE STEPHENS

When we initially posted on the whimsical illustration art of Matte Stephens, we had no idea it would end up being one of the most popular posts we'd done at PrairieMod. So, we decided it would be a good idea to interview Matte to find out a little more about his background, his inspirations and what makes his work so intrinsically appealing.

CONNECT :: Shedding Some Light On The Lamp House Plans

AN INTERVIEW WITH BRUCE BOSBEN, CHAIRMAN OF APEX ENTERPRISES

When the news recently broke in the Wisconsin State Journal that plans existed to redevelop the 200 block of East Mifflin in Madison, tempers flared and rumors started to run rampant. Why the controversy? It just so happens that redevelopment would involve the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Robert Lamp House and fears spread that the home would be in danger. Initial designs presented for re-development, showing the Lamp House engulfed in a larger building, didn't help the situation. In an attempt to shed more light on this story, PrairieMod decided to interview Bruce Bosben, Chairman of Apex Enterprises, whose firm both owns the Lamp House and is planning the development of the 200 block of East Mifflin.

RECALL :: Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, The First & Next 100

AN ESSAY BY JORDAN MELNICK

More rain fell on Chicago on September 13th, 2008 than on any other day in more than 130 years. That evening in Oak Park, some 170 architecture lovers braved the historic downpour for a gala at Unity Temple, one of 25 Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the near Western suburb. In semi-formal attire, the attendees drank, ate and mingled with fellow contributors to the building’s restoration fund, the men eventually removing their jackets in the rain-steamed, unventilated interior. Later, all enjoyed the music of Chicago trumpeter Orbert Davis in the temple sanctuary, a bright, intricately designed space that Wright called his “little jewel box.”

CONNECT :: StudiOrganic's Corey Crawford

AN INTERVIEW WITH COREY CRAWFORD, TALIESIN APPRENTICE

Some time ago, PrairieMod featured architect and Taliesin Apprentice Corey Crawford's Personal Outdoor Structures. Since that time, Corey's firm has grown in both recognition and scope. We thought with all of this change, it would be a great opportunity to catch-up with Corey and see what he's been up to.

BUILD :: The FLW School of Architecture's Mod.Fab™

AN INTERVIEW WITH VICTOR SIDY, DEAN AT TALIESIN

When we first broke the story of the Taliesin School of Architecture's new Mod.Fab™ project, people were naturally excited. With all the challenges in the housing market faced in the last years and the fate of sustainable residential design up in the air, a new way forward from the school that Frank Lloyd Wright built was a breath of fresh air. We decided to speak with the school's dean, Victor Sidy, about the Mod.Fab™ project, how it came to be and what the future holds for this new take on Organic Architecture ideals.

LIVE :: Cost Effective Natural Landscapes Reduce Maintenance Costs

A LANDSCAPE TO SAVE YOU MONEY, WRITTEN BY ECOLOGIST JACK PIZZO

No this is not the weed-patch of the long-haired, aged hippie living off the grid. Natural landscapes are cost effective, functional and beautiful. You may know that creating natural landscapes helps the environment in many ways - native plants help stabilize soil, prevent erosion, increase water quality, provide a habitat for songbirds and butterflies and provide beauty all year long, too. What you may not realize is that one of the real advantages of a natural landscape can be "the bottom line." Once established, your savings in maintenance costs can pay a huge dividend, by reducing maintenance costs. While we understand the need for sustainable landscape, we do not advocate removal of all lawn and traditional landscape, what we do advocate is creating an energy efficient, cost effective, and radiant landscape when the need for a new, retrofit or problem-solving installation arises.

MAKE :: Herman Miller, Then and Now

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN KOOLE OF HERMAN MILLER

Herman Miller has long been at the forefront of modern furniture design. I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with Susan Koole from Heman Miller's Zeeland, MI office to dicuss where the company's legacy began and where it is going in the 21st Century. Deeply rooted in classic modern ideals, Herman Miller is leveraging their rich design tradition to continue future innovations.