PrairieMod

John Barthel Home For Sale

Eric S. sends a link to a dramatically Mod home designed by and for architect John Barthel in Dallas, TX. Check out more here.

Image via midcenturymoderndallashomes.com

In Memoriam: Lisl Scheu Close

One melancholy note from the "Works In Progress" event sent to me from Rob Barros and John Clouse is the news that Minneapolis Modernist architect Lisl Scheu Close has passed away at the age of 99. Close was born in Vienna, Austria in 1912 and lived in a house designed by Adolf Loos. Later, she worked with her husband, Winston A. Close, in Minnesota as Close Architects. Find out more on the life and work of Lisl Scheu Close here.

Image via closehomes.org

Howe Textile Design Brought To Life

Rob Barros checked-in this morning to say that his Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians "Works in Progress" lecture went very well last night. The extended trailer for the John Howe documentary was shown and several engaging questions followed, as well as some new Howe-related networking connections were made that will surely help the final film.

The highlight of the lecture had to be the unveiling of the Howe-designed textile that Rob had executed. He was kind enough to send a shot of the embroidered design as it appeared against the Nokomis Library's Kasota Stone walls. A fantastic tribute to John Howe, the "Pillar of Taliesin." Learn more about Rob's documentary here.

Image copyright Rob Barros

One Wright House + One Bathroom = $1.4 Million

The early Frank Lloyd Wright-designed The Robert G. Emmond House, a "bootleg" home built in 1892, is on the market in LaGrange, IL for a princely sum of $1.4 million...even though, as dailymail.co.uk points out, it only has one bathroom. Read more here.

Image via dailymail.co.uk

Wright's Pottery House For Sale

Curbed National reports that the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed (but posthumously built) "Pottery" House in Santa Fe, NM is on the market for $4.75 million. There's much contention amongst purists as to whether it should be considered a "Wright" house, since it has been altered and was built after his death--but there's no denying it's an amazing building. See more here.

Image via curbed.com

Still Breathtaking After 75 Years

2011 celebrates the 75th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, and this recent article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette points out the ways in which this preeminent work of American architecture still shines. Read it here.

Image via fallingwater.org

Svetlana Stalin Peters Passes Away

John C. and Mark H. send word that Svetlana Stalin Peters, Joseph Stalin's daughter and former wife to Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, William Wesley Peters, died today in Wisconsin at the age of 85. Read more about it here.

Image via Wikipedia

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Selects Sean Malone As Next President And CEO

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation announced today it has hired nationally honored not-for-profit executive Sean Malone to serve as the organization’s next President and CEO. Malone comes to The Foundation with more than 20 years of nonprofit sector experience, including leadership roles for the past 15 years at Ten Chimneys Foundation. On February 1, 2012, Malone will take over for interim-President and CEO Anne Maley who is stepping down in early 2012 and who will assist in the transition. Read more after the jump...

 

Atlanta Usonian For Sale

Scott T. sent a link to an interesting Usonian home for sale in Atlanta, GA. Anyone know the architect? Check out the listing here.

Image via coldwellbankeratlanta.com

Bag For All Seasons

I came across Whether Bags a few weekends ago at Chicago's Randolph Street Antique Market and thought they looked simple, Mod and well-crafted. Turns out that what's especially great about the bags is that they are constructed from sustainable materials and each one is crafted locally in Chicago, IL (with all of the materials sourced and purchased within the USA). Check out more info here and shop online here.

Image via whetherbags.myshopify.com

Madison's Cost Prohibitive Facelift

The Wisconsin State Journal reports on the proposed plan to transform the shoreline at Law Park on Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin into a gathering space that would include festival grounds and a boat house based on a Frank Lloyd Wright design. Only one thing stands in its way—lack of funds. Read more about it here.

Image via host.madison.com

The Wright Place

Here's a link to an article showcasing life at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Eric Brown House in the Parkwyn Village neighborhood of Kalamazoo, MI. Read it here.

Image via mlive.com

Craft Your Holiday

Looking to decorate a little more "crafty" this season? Then you'll want to check out the wide variety of holiday themed kits from the Paper Source. You can deck the halls with paper garlands, paper wreaths and even cute paper gnomes. Get inspired here.

Image via paper-source.com

John Howe: Pillar Of Taliesin

The Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians is hosting a lecture event at the Nokomis Library in Minneapolis titled "Works In Progress" next Tuesday, November 29, 2011 that will feature a presentation by Rob Barros on John Howe, Frank Lloyd Wright's premier draftsman and superb Organic Architect in his own right.

As PrairieMod readers may know, Rob is actively working on his John Howe documentary, so this talk will likely feature some choice sneak peeks at the life and work of this important Taliesin figure. For more details on the Work In Progress event, click here.

Image via mnsah.org

Regional Modern: Chicago

In a series of metropolitan visits, John Hill of Houzz.com offers up a comparative look at Modernism as a string of regional expressions vs. a universally pervasive theme and its effect on contemporary architecture. Here's a link to his tour of what Chicago's regional Modernism has to offer (which, of course is heavily influenced by personalities like Wright and Mies). Read it here.

Image via houzz.com

Wright's Chicago Gold Coast Flat Is Fully Flattened

Chalk one up for the "loss" column. Curbed Chicago follows-up on the total destruction of a building on Chicago's "Gold Coast" that Frank Lloyd Wright briefly lived between 1914 and 1915. Read more here and see photos of the demolition here.

Image via chicagorealestatelocal.blogspot.com

Play With Your "Food"

MocoLoco features some fun food-inspired Mod wooden tops by designer Andreau Carulla. If your kids don't think fruits or vegetables are fun, maybe they'll change their minds after taking these for a spin. More here.

Image via MocoLoco

Wright Auctions Wright

The Chicago-based auction house, Wright20, recently posted the lots of their December 15, 2011 auction online. Among several items designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan and Purcell & Elmslie sits the auction's premier item: The Kenneth Laurent House.

Those of you following the unfolding news of this home's imminent auction will be interested to view the listing for this Usonian gem. Interest among preservationists still exists to try and keep the home and its furnishings intact, but time and the bidding paddle may not be on their side. See the listing here.

Image via Wright20

Help Secure The Laurent House

There is much buzz in the preservation architecture world over the potential auctioning-off of the Kenneth Laurent House and its contents in Rockford, IL. This recent article highlights the efforts of local preservation group known as the Laurent House Foundation, which has until December 15, 2011 to raise the money needed to secure the home or it goes to auction. If this happens, the possibility the next owner may not maintain the home to its current condition, or keep the furniture/decor in tact is very real.

If you would like to pledge to make a contribution to help save this local gem, ensuring it is open to the public, contact the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois at 815-962-2110 or John Groh at 815-963-8111.

Image via rrstar.com

Berndtson Gate Photo Found

PrairieMod Squad member, Scott T., shared an architectural find this morning that other readers should enjoy. Scott believes the photo at left is of Peter Berndtson's 1955–57 entrance gate for Idlewild Park in Ligonier, PA (for which the architect also designed an administration building and water park). The park still exists, but the entrance has changed and Scott's not sure what of Berndtson's work is still extant on the site. If any other PrairieMod readers know or have photos to share, I'll be happy to post for everyone to enjoy.

Image via Scott T.

Graycliff Celebrates Its Visitor Readiness Following National Conference

After successfully hosting many new out-of-town visitors during the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s national conference last month, Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff is building additional momentum as a heritage tourism destination by harnessing the continuing support of two local corporations to welcome future visitors.  Read more after the jump...

"Masters of Modern Design" Prints For Sale

Designer Joel Pirela's prints, which pay homage to iconic mid-century designers, are on sale on Fab.com. Sale ends Friday, November 25, 2011.

Image via Joel Pirela

Acquire A Piece of Chicago's Amazing Architectural History

One of the most rare pieces of Chicago’s rich architectural legacy is preserved inside the Art Institute of Chicago. However, all of us now have the opportunity to own the magic of Louis Sullivan’s Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room, thanks to the efforts of a passionate collector and some highly skilled artists. More after the jump...

iPhone Alarm Dock

Paul R. sends a link to a sweet and very Mod wooden dock for your iPhone from Uncommon Goods that turns it into a bedside alarm clock. More details and order info here.

Image via uncommongoods.com

Prairie Fire

This article from The Courier-News discusses the careful and revitalizing work of controlled burns for prairie health. Of particular interest is that the burning in the article focuses on the prairie adjacent to Frank Lloyd Wright's Muirhead Farmhouse. Read more here.

Image via couriernews.suntimes.com

Brandes House For Sale

The Redmond Patch showcased Frank Lloyd Wright's Brandes House, one of only three of his designs in the state of Washington, and currently for sale. Read more here and see the listing here.

Image via steinerag.com

Laurent House Could Land On Auction Block

An article recently posted at rrstar.com should raise some flags for people concerned about the preservation of significant architecture. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kenneth Laurent House in Rockford, IL has been on the market for some time, without any sale and it may soon be on the auction block.

A local preservation group wants to purchase the home for a museum, but has had trouble raising the funds. It may come down to a last-ditch effort as the home prepares to go to on December 15, 2011. Let's hope the home ends up with a new steward who can take care of it and recognize its important architectural significance. Read more here and here.

Image via rrstar.com

Volcano House Architect Revealed

After posting about the domed lair on top of a volcano for sale, PrairieMod reader, Melissa, was kind enough to let us know the architect is Harold J. Bissner Jr. She also provided a link to an article about the home with more info. Read it here. Thanks Melissa!

Image via http://weeklyseven.com

Need A Volcano Lair?

If you're a super villain and on the lookout for a volcano-top lair, then you're in luck. Nelson B. sends a link to an intriguing domed work of Organic Architecture atop a volcano in Valley Springs, CA. Anyone know who designed it? Check out more here and the listing here.

Image via curbed.com

Not So Big Show House

PrairieMod reader, Jessamyn M. sent word that she visited Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big" show house, which opened in Libertyville, IL this weekend. She says it's definitely worth a visit to check out the authors ideas put into practice. Plus, Room&Board did the decorating—including several Teco Art Pottery Collection® pieces! Check out more here.

Image via notsobigshowhouse.com

It's Sydney Meets Two Franks

Here's a link to an article on the New York Times website about the striking new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, designed by the architect Moshe Safdie. The building's form evokes comparisons to the Sydney Opera House, Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim and the stainless steel use of Frank Gehry. Whatever it is, it's definitely something new for Kansas City, MO. Read more here.

Image via the NYT

Dana House Set To Reopen

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield, IL is set to reopen at the beginning of December 2011 after being closed almost all year for $2.5 million worth of major rehabilitation work. Read more about it here.

Image via sj-r.com

Old Prentice In Limbo

Blair Kamin reports that the fate of the Bertram Goldberg-designed Old Prentice Women's Hospital is in limbo, thanks to the ongoing stalemate between Northwestern University and the City of Chicago. Read more here.

Image via Cityscapes blog

Eames: The Architect And The Painter

Film Journal International offers a review of the new documentary, Eames: The Architect and the Painter, from First Run Features. Read the review here and check out more on the film here.

Image via firstrunfeatures.com

"Long Meadow" For Sale

Scott T. finds and shares this unique Usonian-esque home for sale in Long Eddy, NY that sports a beautiful "meadow" roof. See more images and photos here.

Image via realtor.com

Parks And Wreck

St. Louis County is in financial duress and that means painful cuts. On the chopping block are county parks and their associated jobs. This is of note for architecture lovers, due to the fact that one of the smaller parks in jeopardy is Kirkwood's Ebsworth Park, which is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kraus House. The non-profit organization that oversees the house museum has a lease with the county's park and could have that relationship wrecked as a result. Read more about it here.

Image via ebsworthpark.org

Crystal Cathedral Now Catholic

USA Today reports the news that the Philip Johnson-designed Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA will be purchased by the Catholic diocese of Orange County and be renovated accordingly for Catholic use. Read more about it here.

Image via usatoday.com

Buehler's Forbes Feature

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian stunner, the Katherine and Maynard Buehler House (1948) in Orinda, CA was recently featured on Forbes.com. The accompanying photos show how amazing the house is and if you fall in love, it can be yours for a paltry $5 million. More here.

Image via Trulia.com

Neutra Duplex Moves Fast

Curbed LA reports that a Richard Neutra-designed duplex in the Silver Lake neighborhood of LA just hit the market and is alreading pending a sale.

Known as the Koblick House (1937), this Modernist gem is described as "largely unspoiled" and had an asking price of $849,000. Read more here.

Image via redfin.com

Porsche's New Digs

Mark H. send a link to an article in the New York Times about Porsche's plans for a new headquarters in Atlanta and an experience center in Los Angeles. Read more here.

Image via NYT

Martin House Receives Seed Money

Buffalo Business First reports that the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed D.D. Martin House recently received $250,000 from Louis Ciminelli, president and chief executive officer of LPCiminelli Co., as seed money towards for a $750,000 challenge grant that will lay a foundation for an estimated $5 million needed for the house's interior renovations. Read more about it here.

Image via darwinmartinhouse.org

Walter Burley Griffin Presidential Shout-Out

President Obama gave Prairie School props to Walter Burley Griffin on his recent visit to Canberra, Australia saying :

"I know I am not the first guy from Chicago to come to these parts,’’ he said. ‘‘A century ago, Walter Burley Griffin came here with a vision for this city. He said, ‘I have planned a city that is not like any other in the world’. Tonight I want to thank all of you and the people of Australia for the hospitality that is unlike any other in the world.’’

As readers may know, Canberra is the city Griffin and wife Marion Mahony influenced through their competition winning design in 1912.

Read the current affairs article here and learn more about the 1912 Canberra design competition here.

Image via Wikipedia

Magerstadt House Furniture At Auction

The John Toomey Gallery's next auction on December 4, 2011 will feature several impressive and important 20th Century items. As I perused the electronic catalog, one offering stuck out on page 68: Lot 350 George W. Maher-designed game table and two chairs from the 1906 Ernest J. Magerstadt House in Chicago's Kenwood neighborhood. Read more after the jump...

Truitt House Renamed

Triblocal.com reports that North Central College has renamed the 1916 Truitt House, one of three Prairie School homes in Naperville, IL designed by architect Harry Franklin Robinson.

The college owns the home and decided to rename it the Abe House in honor of long-time alumni supporters, William and Mary Abe. Read more about it here.

Image via triblocal.com

Larkin's Final Resting Place

Area preservationists in Buffalo wonder what may still exist buried in the ground of the now demolished Larkin Administration Building, Frank Lloyd Wright's early masterpiece. Could an architectural archeological dig be in the future? Read and watch more here.

Image via wgrz.com

"Just Don't Look"

Blair Kamin's Cityscapes rails against the new Bank of America ads "uglifying" Chicago's Wabash Avenue Bridge—an aesthetically misplaced attempt by the cash-strapped city to raise extra revenue.

Maybe if we take the musical advice of an animated Paul Anka from the classic Simpsons Halloween episode Attack of the 50-foot Eyesores and "Just Don't Look" they will lose their power, disappear sooner, and never return. One can only hope. Read more here.

Images via http://simpsonswiki.net & Cityscapes blog

Madison Mod Open House

Scott T. sends word of a Madison, WI Mod open house tour set for November 20, 2011 that readers in the area may want to attend. It's a chance to peek inside the Dr. Maxine Bennett house, designed around 1956 by architect John Steinmann (and also currently on the market.) Get all the details here.

Image via madisonpreservation.org

Frank Lloyd Wright, Art Collector

Another Wright-related item I came across yesterday that I'm eagerly awaiting is the release of Dr. Anthony Alofsin's new book, Frank Lloyd Wright, Art Collector: Secessionist Prints from the Turn of the Century, set to be released from the University of Texas Press on April 1, 2012. The book examines the impact of the recently discovered personal collection of Secessionist art prints (acquired by Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Borthwick Cheney during their controversial trip to Europe in 1909-1910) on Wright's tastes and work. Read more details about this intriguing forthcoming book here.

Image via Amazon.com

Usonian Occasionals From Copeland

I came across a tantalizing peek at new Frank Lloyd Wright-designed licensed furniture from Copeland Furniture and thought I'd share. It's what many of us Mod-minded lovers of Wright's design have been waiting for: Usonian Furniture! Find out more after the jump...

Katy Ralph Recalls Life At The Iannelli Studios

The Kalo Foundation recently enjoyed a visit from a very special vistor to the Iannelli Studios building in Park Ridge, IL. Katy Ralph grew up knowing the Iannelli's and returned to see the building Kalo has worked so hard to save from destruction. Read more about this remarkable story after the jump...