Features

CONNECT :: Frank Lloyd Wright's Beth Sholom Synagogue

A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIRTUAL TOUR OF FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S LUMINOUS SACRED SPACE

Of all the sacred spaces designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania can be considered as his most expressive buildings for worship. Envisioned by Wright as a "luminous Mount Sinai," the synagogue is an extremely complex composition of structure, integral ornament and materials that are masterfully woven to serve both a specific function and embody symbolic elements of the Jewish faith.

Like most Wright designs, it takes actually moving through the space of the building to fully experience the majesty and mystery of Beth Sholom. However, for those that have not yet visited, we are lucky to have a series of photographs taken at the 2011 Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy Annual Conference by author and journalist, Mark Hertzberg, to help give PrairieMod readers a sense of how special this building truly is. Experience this photo tour after the jump...

CONNECT :: Frank Lloyd Wright And The East Coast

A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE 2011 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BUILDING CONSERVANCY CONFERENCE

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the center of recent architectural activity, as the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy recently held their annual conference and building tours in "The City of Brotherly Love". The focus of the September 21-25, 2011 event was on the area's rich architectural heritage, including several important contributions by Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, Louis Kahn, Wharton Esherick, and more. If you were not able to make the trip but still want to see what this area of the East Coast has to offer, then PrairieMod has the hook-up for you! PrairieMod pal, John Clouse, was kind enough to provide a plethora of his fantastic photographs of the amazing sites from his trip. Take the photographic virtual tour after the jump...

CONNECT :: Out And About Wright: Destination Detroit

A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIRTUAL TOUR OF DETROIT'S WRIGHT ARCHITECTURE

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy recently motored to the "Motor City" as part of their Out and About Wright architectural travel program. The focus of the August 13, 2011 excursion was the Detroit, Michigan area's three stunning Frank Lloyd Wright Usonain residences. If you were not able to make the trip but still want to see what Detroit has to offer architecturally, then PrairieMod has the hook-up for you! PrairieMod pal, Paul Ringstrom, was generous enough to provide some of his great photographs of the Wright architecture he saw on the visit. Take the photographic virtual tour after the jump...

CONNECT :: Out And About Wright: Cleveland And Northeast Ohio

A PHOTOGRAPHIC VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE AREA'S SIGNIFICANT ARCHITECTURE

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy recently hosted an exciting trip to Cleveland and Northeast Ohio as part of their Out and About Wright architectural travel program. The focus of the April 9, 2011 excursion was on the area's Frank Lloyd Wright Usonain residences and other Mid-Century Modern buildings. If you were not able to make the trip but still want to see what this region of Ohio has to offer architecturally, then PrairieMod has the hook-up for you! PrairieMod pal, John Clouse, was kind enough to provide some of his fantastic photographs of the architectural gems he saw on his trip. Take the photographic virtual tour after the jump...

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.

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.

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.

CONNECT :: East Coast Arts & Crafts "Side Trips"

SUBMITTED BY MIKE TRESCOTT

After reading the recent article on PrairieMod about David Rago's choices for Arts & Crafts collections worth visiting, I started thinking about places close to me that I might explore on an upcoming trip. I often look for "side trips" I can make while I'm traveling to see amazing homes, museums, and collections. All of the collections Rago mentions are great choices; however, I’m eager to find additional places and things to see close by my home town.