PrairieMod

Fritz's Curtain House For Sale

PrairieMod reader Scott T. sent word that Herb Fritz's Phil Curtin House, which was included on this past weekend's Wright in Wisconsin MCM tour in Madison, is officially on the market for $589,900. Get the details here.

Image via wisconsinhomes.com

Massaro For Sale

The Chahroudi/Massaro Residence, a controversial "Wright" house that launched a thousand quips is now up for sale. Seems Mr. Massaro has his eye on possibly building something Wright in Florida. Read more here.

Image via privateislandsmag.com

Floating Garden

Via MocoLoco, here's a look at a beautiful floating garden planter inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e art and ideas. It also makes use of vertisol. This special soil developed by Vertilab is a mixture of an organic and a non-organic component to enhance the plant's time span. See more here.

Image via MocoLoco

Frank Lloyd Fright

Looking to decorate this Halloween with a 20-foot tall abstract wooden scarecrow inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's work and made by Erik Block Design-Build? Well, then you're in luck. Read more about it here.

Image via theday.com

Chicago's Chagall Windows Are Back

Marc Chagall's "America Windows" were always one of my favorite things to see at the Art Institute of Chicago. But they've been hidden away for the last 5 years due to construction on the new Modern Wing. Luckily, the windows will be back on display this coming Monday. Read more about it here.

Wright & Griffin In Style 1900

PrairieMod reader Randy H. sent word that the current issue of Style 1900 magazine (Winter 2010-11) has an article on the FLlW designed ASBH Model B-1 on West Burnham Street in Milwaukee that was recently restored by Frank Lloyd Wright Wisconsin. There is also another short feature on Castlecrag, a 1919 “dream of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin” outside of Sydney, Austrlia. Check out more details here.

Image via Style 1900 website

Frank Lloyd Wright's Non-Architectural Sources

Scott also sent the head's-up on the next Wright Lecture Series event taking place at Madison, Wisconsin's Monona Terrace. More details after the jump...

This Week's Sales Round-Up

Scott T. is the undisputed master of finding Organic Architecture for sale on the internet. Here's an impressive list of houses (and one unbuilt FLW design) for sale that anyone wanting to live PrairieMod should check out. More after the jump...

Attention Louis Sullivan Fans!

If you missed the screening of the new Louis Sullivan documentary during the Chicago Film Festival, you have two more chances. The director, Mark Smith, announced that on 10/28/10 a special screening will happen at Northwestern University's Block Museum. Then on 10/29/10 another screening will be held at The Cliff Dwellers Club in Chicago. Details can be found here.

If you aren't in the Chicago area....don't fret! Order your DVD or Blu-Ray copy of the film here.

Image copyright Whitecap Films

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Check out these beautiful, easy to create Thanksgiving Centerpieces from Good Housekeeping.

Image copyright Good Housekeeping

Fawcett House Back on the Market

PrairieMod reader Henry W. emailed with info that Frank Lloyd Wright's Fawcett House is on the market again for just under $2M. 

Check out some really great photos at the Fawcett House website.

Image via theFawcettHouse.com

Madison Mid-Century Modern Homes Photo Tour

The PrairieMod Squad was bummed that we were not able to make last Sunday's Madison Mid-Century Modern Homes Tour, put together by Wright in Wisconsin and co-sponsored by The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and the Sunset Hills Neighborhood Association. However, PrairieMod pal, John C., was kind enough to share some of his great photos of the homes on the tour. See them all after the jump...

Mason City Update

Mark Hertzberg's Wright In Racine blog has a new post detailing many of the exciting architectural restoration efforts underway in Mason City, IA—including ongoing work on Frank Lloyd Wright's Park Inn Hotel and City National Bank. Read and see photos here.

Image copyright Mark Hertzberg

Of Playtowers And Usonians

Anneliese D. sent us some terrific links to share with PrairieMod readers. The current issue of Milwaukee Magazine features the Wegner House in River Hills by John Randal McDonald. It displays some of his distinct characteristics...clearstory windows, indirect valance interior lights, shoji screens, and paneled walls and ceilings. Read about it online here.
 
Also, the Playscapes blog notes a playtower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma by Bruce Goff that residents are attempting to restore.  Read more here. Thanks Anneliese!

Image via Playscapes blog

Just Push Play

Thanks to PrairieMod reader, Jen B., for sending a link to this event called "YouTube Play." As described on YouTube, the event was "developed by YouTube and the Guggenheim Museum in collaboration with HP and Intel. A Biennial of Creative Video recognizes the ever-expanding realm of online video and its most remarkable practitioners." Watch it here.

Image via YouTube

Lecture On Weese

Docomomo_chicagomidwest sent me notice that the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts will host a free lecture celebrating the release of The Architecture of Harry Weese, a new book by Robert Bruegmann and Kathleen Murphy Skolnik. More details after the jump...

Prairie Inspiration

Here's a link to an article about the "greenprint" that Prairie School landscape architect, Jens Jensen, left on Chicago. Read more here.

Image via the Chicago Tribune

Expanding Wright

Blair Kamin reports at his Cityscapes blog that the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust is making a bold new move by adding an organizational presence in the Rookery Building in Chicago's Loop. The office will be off the 1907 Wright-remodeled central atrium, allowing FLWPT to offer special tours of the space, sell tickets for their other sites and eventually have a gift shop. Read more about it here.

Image via Cityscapes/FLWPT

A Look At The Rubin House

Tony McCune has posted photos and portions of a 2008 interview of original Wright client, Jean Rubin, at his blog. The 1951 Rubin House is a relatively unknown Wright Home and Tony's post and photos are a chance to learn more about this special little Usonian. See more here.

Image copyright Tony McCune

Little Church In The Valley

Allen L. thought PrairieMod readers might be interested in photos of a beautiful little church in Pauls Valley Oklahoma. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church was designed by Fred Shellabarger, formerly of the University of Oklahoma, an associate of Bruce Goff and was built in 1964. Enjoy the photos here. Thanks Allen!

Image copyright Allen Lea

Randall Kramer Gets Fired-Up

We recently received word from artist and designer Randall Kramer on a beautiful bit of hand-forged artistry that he recently completed for a client's home on Manhattans Upper West Side. Check out more after the jump...

Examining America's Founding Designers

Here's a link to an interesting post on Treehugger.com by Adam Lowry on examining the work of America's Founding Fathers from a design perspective. Read it here.

Image via Treehugger/Creative Commons

Coonley For Sale

The Chicago Tribune reports that the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, five-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot Prairie Style mansion that makes up about two-thirds of what originally was the Avery Coonley mansion in Riverside, IL is for sale for $2.89 million. Read more here.

Image via Wikipedia

Cleveland Out and About Wright 2011

Word comes via Wright Chat of an exciting Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy event coming in April, taking place in Cleveland, Ohio. More details after the jump...

Reminder: Dine To Support Unity Temple

Tonight is your chance to come out and support Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple by eating, drinking and being merry at Cuchina Paradiso in Oak Park, IL. More details here.

Image via Cucina Paradiso's website and UTRF's website

Alexander Weekend 2011

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation announced yesterday that Alexander Weekend will be held at the end of March 2011.

Snag the details here.

Image copyright PSPF

Quadri Duvet Cover

If you like geometric shapes, you'll love the Quadri Duvet Cover. It's on sale now at Crate & Barrel.

Image copyright Crate & Barrel

The Anti-McMansion

Metropolis Magazine recently featured the new 1,900-square-foot arrestingly modernist house, designed by Milwaukee’s Johnsen Schmaling Architects, which was built in a historic neighborhood of Racine, Wisconsin. Read about it here.

Image via Metropolis website

Draw Like An Architect

The Chicago Architecture Foundation is offering two continuing education courses aimed at teaching people how to channel their inner architectural sketch artist. Get the details here.

Image via CAF website

20 For 20

Blu Dot, purveyors of Mod furniture and decor, are offering a special 20% off all items for the next 20 days, starting today. Check out more here.

Image via Blu Dot

Early Prince For Sale

PrairieMod reader, Scott T., sent us a link to an early home in Albuquerque, New Mexico designed by Organic Architect, Bart Prince. Check out the details here.

Image via propertypursuit.com

Hot Dam! Cool Bridge!

Hoover Dam is one of the most impressive public works projects in American history. However, when it opened in 1936 no one anticipated the traffic bottleneck it would create, nor the potential security issues involved with it that face the nation today. That's why the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge was conceived. Construction on the nearly 2,000 foot long bridge began in late January 2005 and is now open. This signature bridge spans the Black Canyon (about 1,500 feet south of the Hoover Dam), connecting the Arizona and Nevada Approach highways nearly 900-feet above the Colorado River. Read more about this amazing new consort to Hoover Dam here.

Image via news.discovery.com

Celebrate Handcrafted Modern

Help celebrate the work of Leslie Williamson, photographer and author of Handcrafted Modern at Heath Los Angeles. If you're in the Bay Area, then plan on attending an opening reception for the new book, October 23 from 6-8pm. Come for a glass of wine, meet the author and get your copy of Handcrafted Modern signed. Get more details here.

Image via Heath Ceramic's website

The American Architect In Focus

PrairieMod reader Mark H. was kind enough to send us the heads-up on an architectural film series event titled "The American Architect in Focus" and co-sponsored by Block Cinema and the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. More details after the jump...

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

Thanks to Nelson Brackin of the Friends of Kebyar group for sending news of a rare earthquake in Okalahoma on October 13, 2010. The epicenter was centered about six miles east of Norman, OK with a magnitude registering about 4.3 to 4.5 on the Richter scale. Because of its proximity, there was concern raised for the Bruce Goff-designed Bavinger House, but initial reports indicate that everything there is fine. Read more about this rare event here.

Image via Bavinger House website

Bookend Architecture

The line of bookend architecture offered by Edifice Models is growing, with the release of bookends featuring the detailed facades of the Dana House and the sadly demolished Larkin Building. Check out the whole line here.

Image via Edifice Models

Cedar Rock Needs Some Help

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Walter Residence (also known as "Cedar Rock") near Quasqueton, IA has hit some hard luck in these difficult economic times and needs some financial help to preserve and maintain this important Usonian gem. Read more here and consider joining the Friends of Cedar Rock organization by calling (319) 934-3572.

Image via desmoinesregister.com

Adler & Sullivan Book Now Available

The new, comprehensive book about the architecture of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan (titled appropriately enough) The Complete Architecture of Adler & Sullivan is now available! I was able to page through it this weekend, and it's beautiful. I can't wait to get a copy to spend some quality time with it. Put it on your Holiday wish list or get your copy here.

Image via stoutbooks.com

For Sale: Griffin's Schneider Residence

We received word that one of the Walter Burley Griffin-designed Rock Glen homes in Mason City, IA is for sale. The Sam Schneider Residence was designed in 1915 and features all the Prairie School amenities you'd imagine (plus breathtaking views of the waterfall it overlooks). Someone very lucky will get to live in this beautiful home in a stunning community! Get all the details and see more photos here.

Image via www.schonemanrealtors.com

Fire At Goff-Designed Tulsa Club

According to news from Nelson Brackin of the Friends of Kebyar, a fire occurred last night at the troubled Bruce Goff-designed Tulsa Club building. The fire is now out now, but the streets are blocked for fire trucks, and concerned individuals have not been able to get near the scene yet. The fear is that after such an event, there will be a clamor about razing the building. As details emerge, we'll let readers know. More on the story here.

Retro Windows Are All The Rage

It seems that everything old is new again. Case-in-point: Retro steel-framed windows, also known as Crittall windows, have been the new must-have for "Designistas" in New York City and anywhere else in the country that leans toward the "hip and cool" side of the spectrum. Read more here.

Image via www.independent.co.uk

Gettin' By With A Little Help From Friends

Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, already in need of restoration after 100 years of wear-and-tear, has been the repeat victim of vandalism and theft--most recently of their famed bronze lettered epigram. Now the community of friends are reaching out to help this iconic building in need. Read more here and do your part to be a friend to this important American building by donating here.

Hall Of Fame

SC Johnson's Lord Norman Foster-designed Fortaleza Hall in Racine, WI, located on the campus adjacent to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed SC Johnson Administration Building, has been named Best Cultural Project & Best Architectural Design by Midwest Construction News as part of its Best of 2010 awards program. Read more about it here.

Image by James Steinkamp, Steinkamp Photography

Don't Miss Madison MCM Tour

Just a reminder: If you love Organic Modern architecture, don't miss a very special house tour hosted by Wright in Wisconsin, The Madison Trust for Historic Preservation and the Sunset Hills Neighborhood Association and takes place in Madison, Wisconsin on October 24, 2010. More after the jump...

Talkin' Teco

Here's a link to a story on annarbor.com about Motawi Tileworks and how they are re-envisioning their business to produce new Teco Art Pottery Collection® vases for Prairie Design Group (PrairieMod's parent company). Read more about it here and check out the new (and legacy) Teco shapes here.

Chicago 2040

Regional planners recently unveiled their vision yesterday for Chicago and surrounding areas. Titled Go To 2040, the plan echoes Daniel Burnham's famous ideas for the city and was based on years of research, input from the public. It places an emphasis on fixing road infrastructure, raising gas taxes for funding and developing more compact, walkable communities rather than car-centric sprawl. Read more about it at Blair Kamin's Cityscapes blog and see a video clip discussing the project at Chicago Tonight's website.

Image via Go To 2040 website

Inspired By Wright

Here's a link to an article at globegazette.com about Newman Catholic High School art teacher Patty Ohl's classroom project where students learn about the world of Frank Lloyd Wright and then create paintings of their own homes, inspired by Wright’s techniques. Read more here.

Nobel Prize Winner Ties One On

PrairieMod reader Karlitos E. noticed that recent Nobel Prize in economics recipient Peter Diamond appears to be a fan of ties featuring Frank Lloyd Wright designs. More here.

Image via cfnews13.com

Stay Wright

If you haven't had the wonderful experience of spending time and staying over at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Schwartz House in Two Rivers, WI then you need to book your stay ASAP! Read more about what the experience is like here.

Image via curbed.com

Elmhurst's Architecture

Elmhurst, IL has some important works of architecture by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Burley Griffin and others in their midst and the Elmhurst Historic Preservation Commission wants both the public (and home owners) to know more about and appreciate them. Follow the link to read about the commission's survey of 98 houses in the suburb.

Image via triblocal.com