PrairieMod reader, Paul R., sent us a link to Y Living's Knoll furniture sale: 15% off now through March 6. Check out the details here.
Image via Y-Lighting
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February 2011
Barry Byrne Lecture Announced
The Kalo Foundation will host Dr. Vincent Michael, John H. Bryan Chair in Historic Preservation at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, who will speak on architect and Alfonso Iannelli collaborator, Francis Barry Byrne, March 13, at 1:30 pm at The Nonprofit Center, 720 Garden St., Park Ridge, IL. More details here.
Image via turnerscross.com
Fill'er-Up Wright
Here's a link to an article about Chad Korby, who has worked as a mechanic and gas station attendant for 5 years at Frank Lloyd Wright's Lindholm service station in Cloquet, MN. Read it here.
Image via startribune.com
Ohio Out And About Wright
Don't Miss This one! On Saturday, April 9, 2011 The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's "Out and About Wright" event will allow participants to have the opportunity to visit five Wright-designed private residences in Northeast Ohio. Get all the details here.
Image via flickr.com
Hollyhock To Stay Public
Los Angeles city officials who were toying with the idea of saving more than $1 million a year by privatizing nine neighborhood arts facilities have bowed to community objections and decided to privatize only four. One of the public institutions staying that way is Hollywood's Barnsdall Park and its most famous attraction, the "Hollyhock House." Read more about these developments here.
Image via the Los Angeles Times
In Memoriam: John Geiger
Word comes today that Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, John Geiger, passed away February 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA. Mark Hertzberg provides an excellent write-up about John at his blog, Wright in Racine. Read it here.
Image copyright Mark Hertzberg
Palm Springs: World Center Of Mid-century Modern
Here's a link to an article on Palm Springs' astounding collection of Mid-century Modern architechture and the Mod sites one can expect to encounter there. Read it here.
Image via mydesert.com
The War Against The Memorials
A group of Canberrans, passionate about preserving Walter Burley Griffin's vision for the capitol city, is launching a campaign against a contentious $21 million war memorial planned for the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Read more about the situation here.
Image via The Canberra Times
JRMcD For Sale In Florida
A wonderful 1960 John Randal McDonald-designed house in Pensacola, FL is currently on the market for $1.1 million. Check out photos and more info on the listing here.
Image via trulia.com
Good News For Iannelli Studios Preservation Effort
The Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge, IL reports some good news in the effort to save the Iannelli Studios. The city zoning committee voted 5-0 to retain B-1 zoning at Iannelli Studios, denying the chance of developers being able to tear the property down to put up residential housing. Read more about it here.
This is good news, but there is still a long way to go before the historic site is truly saved from a possible wrecking ball. Kalo's zoning success means it's time to redouble the efforts to raise funds sufficient to reach the $400,000 goal by July 4, 2011. Contribution commitments from individuals and charitable foundations totaling $70,000 have been received, which with the match amount to over $100,000...but there's still a ways to go. Please follow the link to contribute whatever you can to help save this site and support its restoration.
Image via Tim Samuelson
Architecture Movie Mystery
Apparently, the new Terrence Malick film "Tree of Life" might pique the interest of architecture lovers. Empireonline.com reports that "it was shot in Oklahoma, where it's apparently also set (although with Malick, we can't be 100% sure), and while the plot is under more wraps than a clingfilm factory, it's said to be a romance and is rumoured to have something to do with Frank Lloyd Wright and his Price Tower, in Bartlesville, OK." Read more here.
Image via empireonline.com
Learning To Dwell: Adolf Loos In The Czech Lands
Here's a link to a Wallpaper article on the new large-scale exhibition on architect Adolf Loos opening this week at RIBA. The show leads the visitor from the architect’s designs in the cities of Prague, Pilsen and Brno, through to his works in Austria, where he lived for many years, as well as the more recent restoration works at his iconic Villa Müller (1928-30). Read more here.
Image via wallpaper.com
Blond Architects Have More Fun
Thanks to Jessamyn M. for letting us know that a certain iconic doll has a new profession to add to her long resume: meet Architect Barbie. She must have gotten over her hang-up about math being hard. Read more here.
Image via treehugger.com
Go Green In A Sears Home
PrairieMod reader, Cheryl, sent a link to a great post about the use of "first-growth" lumber—specifically in Sears Homes—and how preserving these structures helps to conserve this valuable material from by-gone resources. Read more here.
Image via searshomes.org
Amazing Artist, Troubled Spirit
Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago, presented an amazingly engrossing presentation last Sunday in Park Ridge, IL about the life and career of Margaret Iannelli.
The progressive artist was Modern before her time and her unique work captured the imaginations and attentions of anyone who saw it. However this great talent was also a troubled one, wrestling with mental illness for much of her life. The lecture was sponsored by the Kalo Foundation in support of the efforts to save the Iannelli Studios in Park Ridge. Read more about the presentation and about Margaret here.
Image via pioneerlocal.com
Racine Represented
Mark Hertzberg's Wright in Racine blog covers how well Frank Lloyd Wright's Racine work is represented in the new Wright exhibit at the Milwaukee Museum of Art. Read it here.
Image copyright Mark Hertzberg
Cincinnati Eye Candy
PrairieMod reader, Eric S., came through again with a great link to an amazing photo collection of the John deKoven Hill-designed Corbett House in Cincinnati, OH. Check it out here.
Image via University of Cincinnati
Show Your Support!
Today is the day, Park Ridge! Show your support for saving the Iannelli Studios by attending the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting this evening at 7:30pm at the Park Ridge City Hall (505 Butler Place, Park Ridge, IL 60068). Anyone is welcome to attend! Details on the meeting here. If you can't make it, show your support by donating to saving the building at the Kalo Foundation website.
Image via Tim Samuelson
Wright At Auction
PrairieMod reader, Matt K., sent us a link to a Sotheby's auction on March 10, 2011 which has quite a bit of Frank Lloyd Wright-related items (along with several other pieces by well-known architects and designers). It's another reminder of how unfortunate it is that these pieces no longer reside in their appropriate spaces. See all of the auction pieces here.
Image via Sotheby's
Buffalo's Architectural First
Buffalo is quickly becoming known the world over for its architecture. But it can also lay claim to being the home of the first professionally recognized female architect: Louise Blanchard Bethune, who was professionally recognized in 1888 by the Western Association of Architects. Find out more here.
Image via Wikipedia
Rattenbury Gem For Sale
If you have $2 million and want to live in Usonian elegance, then check out this beautiful home in Dallas, TX designed by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, John Rattenbury with interior design by his wife, Kay Rattenbury. See photos and details here. Thanks to Eric S. for the link.
Image via dpmdifference.com
Bamboo Dry Erase Board
I love this new bamboo dry erase board from CB2. It's so much cooler than the white version. Check it out here.
Image copyright CB2
Buildings That Break The Box
Here's a link to a slide show on Salon.com of buildings that are not the norm. Of course Gehry and Calatrava make the list--noticeably absent is anything by Wright. See the list here.
Image via Salon.com
Speaking Of Tim Samuelson...
Don't miss Tim's presentation about designer and illustrator, Margaret Iannelli, this Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 1:00pm at Community Church, 100 Courtland Ave., Park Ridge, IL.
Hosted by the Kalo Foundation, it's part of the effort to save the Iannelli Studios from becoming another lost building. Get the details here.
Image courtesy Tim Samuelson
Get Your Lost Buildings Here
One of the best architecture-related DVDs I've ever gotten was "Lost Buildings," a special collaboration between NPR's "This American Life" and illustrator Chris Ware.
It tells the fascinating and touching story of Tim Samuelson (now the Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago), his passion for Louis Sullivan's architecture and his friendship with preservationist/photographer Richard Nickel.
The DVD comes packaged inside a stunning 100-page book, designed by Chris Ware, and filled with photos of the Louis Sullivan buildings mentioned in the story. Do yourself a favor and get a copy here.
Image via store.thisamericanlife.org
Nakoma Golf Resort On The Wright Track
After some trying financial years, the Nakoma Golf Resort in California, based on a similar Frank Lloyd Wright design, appears to be back on track and offering winter-related activities. More details here.
Image via sierrasun.com
Take Detroit's Houses...Please!
Saw this article link via Wright Chat: Apparently things in Detroit have gotten to the point that the Mayor is offering anyone willing to move back into abandoned neighborhoods everything from cash, to loan forgiveness, to free houses. Read more about it here and see a gallery of some of the heartbreaking homes of Detroit.
Image via businessinsider.com
Buehler Is Safe
The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Maynard Buehler residence in Orinda, CA escaped damage Wednesday afternoon when two cars went ablaze in a garage fire that occurred in the house next to it. Read more about this harrowing incident here.
Image via Wikipedia
Pleasant Places: Architecture In The Parks
The Pleasant Home Foundation sent information about their 2011 Lecture Series, titled "Pleasant Places: Architecture in the Parks." This 4-part series will be held on various dates February through March, 2011 for free at the Oak Park Public Library. Check out more details here.
Image via Pleasant Home Foundation
Jennings Texas Chapel Has Amazing Grace
Craig S. sent us a link to an amazing new chapel in Texas designed by Maurice Jennings and Walter Jennings. From what we can see in the photos, this place looks breathtaking! More here.
Image via www.walterwaitsjennings.com
Arts & Crafts Moments: Simplicity in Design
Thanks to PrairieMod reader Larry Z. for letting us know that the T. C. Steele State Historic Site in Brown County, Indiana,is hosting an new exhibit now through March 30, 2012 titled "Arts & Crafts Moments: Simplicity in Design."
The T.C. Steele home, garden and art studio is famous for its rich history, picturesque surrounds and unique artistic and intellectual atmosphere, just west of Nashville, Indiana in the heart of artistic Brown County. Get more details here.
Image via www.indianamuseum.org/sites/tcstspec.html
Prairie School Architecture In American Bungalow
PrairieMod reader, Randy H. let us know that the latest issue of American Bungalow (#69; Spring 2011) features the 1912 prairie style Columbus W. Deen home (designed by Guy Platt Johnson) in Lakeland, FL and the 1918 Woodbury County Courthouse in Sioux City, Iowa (designed by Purcell & Elmslie in collaboration with William Steele). Get your copy at the news stand or order through the AB website here.
Image via American Bungalow website
PrairieMod Feature, THINK :: Fountain Of The Pioneers Follow-Up
Now in the Features section - a response from the Chair of the Fountain of the Pioneers Study Committee for the Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission regarding the facts, fiction and future surrounding Alfonso Iannelli's controversial sculpture. Read it here.
To stay on top of new PrairieMod features as they roll out, subscribe here.
Image credit: PrairieMod
Sullivan/Target Pros And Cons
In the wake of the announcement yesterday about Target opening their first Chicago Loop store inside the Louis Sullivan-designed Carson Pirie Scott & Co. building, Blair Kamin weighs the pros and cons of such a move at his Cityscapes blog. Read it here.
Image via Cityscapes
Adams House Named A Local Landmark
After unanimous recommendation from the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission last month, the Highland Park city council has voted to designate the 1905 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Mary Adams home a local landmark. Read more here.
Image via triblocal.com
A Journey To And Through Three Wrights
Here's a link to a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article exploring three of Frank Lloyd Wright's signature masterpieces that you can explore in person: Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob and Taliesin. Read it here.
Image via jsonline.com
This Just In!
I just recieved word that Ward Miller and John Vinci will be speaking about the new book, The Complete Architecture of Adler and Sullivan, at 10:30am tomorrow, Wednesday, February 16, at the AIA-Chicago office for the Women’s Architectural League. Ward will also be speaking the following day at the Chicago Cultural Center on Thursday, February 17 at 12:15 in the Claudia Cassidy Auditorium for Landmarks Illinois, formerly Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois-LPCI.
The book will be available for purchase at both events as well as at the Richard Nickel Committee office. Other bookstores that carry the book include the Chicago Architecture Foundation, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Glessner House and the Charnley-Persky House. More book details here.
Image via Richard Nickel Committee website
Chi-Town's New Target
Thanks to PrairieMod reader Jen B. for sending a link to the news that officially broke today that Target plans to open a store on Chicago’s State Street, inside the Louis Sullivan-designed Carson Pirie Scott & Co. Store. The store will be called "City Target" and is slated to open in 2012, though Target is pushing to get the store up and running by as early as October. Read more about it here.
Reclaiming American History One Board At A Time
Here's a link to an article about Joshua Huskins, a 27-year old woodworker that hails from Augusta, Ga., but came to Illinois' Fox Valley for a six-month job installing reclaimed pine wood flooring in a St. Charles mansion. He relocated three years ago and runs Amberwood Reclaimed Lumbers, a company that specializes in custom woodworking for homes by using reclaimed lumber from old barns, buildings and homes. Check out the article here and Joshua's website here.
Image via Amberwood Reclaimed Lumbers
Fresh Perspective On Wright
Artdaily.org posts a glimpse at what you can expect from Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century, the new exhibit at the Milwaukee Museum of Art. Read it here.
Image via artdaily.org
Introducing The Taliesin Design™ Hardware Collection
We recently received news that Reveal Designs and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has teamed-up to produce a new cabinet hardware collection that honors the architectural legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright. Read more after the jump...
Continue reading "Introducing The Taliesin Design™ Hardware Collection" »
A Look At The Work Of Kamal Amin
PrairieMod reader, Karlitos, sent us a link to the website of Kamal Amin, Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice and multi-talented architect. Take some time to check out his website, which includes many images of Mr. Amin's impressive Organic Architectural designs. See it here.
Image via architect-kamin.com
Lift Manuscript With Your Legs, Not Your Back
Here's a link to a Wesleyan University blog post which features this photo and the following caption that Wright-ophiles will be interested in:
"Joe Siry, professor of art history, holds the manuscript to his book, Beth Sholom Synagogue: Frank Lloyd Wright and Modern Religious Architecture, which is forthcoming by the University of Chicago Press in 2012. 'The book is a history of Wright's work as an architect of buildings for religion, including his churches and his only synagogue, for Beth Sholom Congregation, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, designed and built from 1953 to 1959, when Wright died,' Siry explains."
Image via wesleyan.edu
Tower Talk In Chicago
Hey Chicago: catch a Chicago Archtiecture Foundation lunchtime lecture with author Mark Hertzberg about the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed SC Johnson Research Tower Wednesday, February 16 2011 at 12:15pm Lecture Hall Gallery 224 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60604. Details here.
Image via amazon.com
Only A Few Left
Here's a link to an article about Gerte Shavin, one of the few remaining original Frank Lloyd Wright clients alive and still living in their Wright-designed homes. She still resides in the Chattanooga, TN house she built in 1952 with her late husband, Seamour Shavin. Read more about it here.
Image via chattanoogan.com
For Sale In Rush Creek
Here's a link to a sweet Usonian-style home for sale in the Organic Architecture enclave of Rush Creek in Worthington, Ohio. Check it out here.
Image via realtor.com
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