Spring is just around the corner! To get all you gardners ready, here's a link to Treehugger.com on some cool DIY greenhouse projects that would make the perfect place to get your seedlings ready. See more here.
Image via treehugger.com
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February 2012
Church With Sullivan Ties To Become A Parking Lot
An Iowa church with ties to Louis Sullivan will likely be a parking lot in 60 days. The Gazette reports that First Christian Church in Cedar Rapids will be demolished to make way for a parking lot for St. Luke’s Hospital's new Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa medical pavilion once a 60-day permit hold by the Cedar Rapids Historic Preservation Commission expires March 12, 2012.
However, the story took a turn when Sullivan expert and cultural historian for the city of Chicago, Tim Samuelson, revealed that he discovered Sullivan was a consulting architect on the church, dedicated in 1913. More after the jump...
Continue reading "Church With Sullivan Ties To Become A Parking Lot" »
Middle East City Of Mirages
Two new exhibitions opened this last weekend at New York's Center for Architecture. One of the exhibits, titled Middle East City of Mirages, Baghdad, 1952-1982, makes its US debut in New York and puts on view the work of 11 prominent architects from around the globe including Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier, Peter and Alison Smithson, and Venturi, Rauch, Scott Brown, and of course Frank Lloyd Wright. Read more here.
Image copyright the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
More Info On Energizing Taliesin West
Over the weekend, we reported on the efforts to "green" Frank Lloyd Wright's Arizona home, Taliesin West, by adding thousands of solar panels, upgrading light bulbs and assessing the energy efficiency of the windows and roofs. We received more information about the initiative from Sean Malone, President & CEO, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation that he wanted to share with PrairieMod readers. More after the jump...
Seeking Olinka
Some time ago we posted on the mystery of the lost Olinka Hrdy murals that were executed for the Riverside Music Studio in Tulsa, OK. The artist of the colorfully abstract murals was Olinka Hrdy, who was working for architect Bruce Goff at the time.
Hrdy also had connections to Alfonso Iannelli—working for, corresponding with, and having him write her recommendations for future jobs.
I'm wondering if an PrairieMod readers out there have any more information or work examples related to this fascinating and little-known Modernist artist. If so--send me an email and I'll be happy to share with everyone!
Image via thislandpress.com
Virtual Tour Of Modern Houston
If you missed this year's Houston Modern Market, then catch of glimpse of what Modernism mavin, Jason Smith, showed-off as part of the weekend's driving tours of the city's Modern gems. Read and see more here.
Image via blogs.houstonpress.com
Carefree California: Cliff May And The Romance Of The Ranch
Here's a link to an LA Times article about a new exhibit opening at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum of UC Santa Barbara that explores the iconic ranch house tradition of architect Cliff May in California through photographs, drawings, models, sales pamphlets, site maps, publications, film and television clips. Read it here.
Image via LA TImes/UC at SB
Glen Ellyn Landmark Home With Don Erickson Connection
I came across an interesting item in a recent Glen Ellyn, IL Spring 2012 village newsletter that I thought I'd share with PrairieMod readers: One of the three homes recently designated as "Glen Ellyn local landmarks" apparently has ties to Taliesin-trained architect, Don Erickson.
The property at 418 Ridgewood Avenue is a 1913 craftsman style home that also has a unique family room addition completed in 1960, designed by Erickson.
If only Erickson's lost Glen Ellyn masterpiece, the Mayes Residence, had achieved similar landmark status...
Image via glenellyn.org
Another Wright In Springfield, Illinois?
Springfield, IL is home to one of the most stunning Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Prairie School residences ever built: The Susan Dana Lawrence House (1902).
According to this recent article in The State Journal-Register, however, there's some speculation as to whether Wright could have been involved in another historic 1902 Lawrence project in the Illinois state capitol: The Lincoln Colored Home, the first orphanage for African American children in the country, located at 427 S. 12th street. It seems Susan's mother, Mary Lawrence, was a benefactor to the orphanage and the current owners (looking for help in saving the dilapidated building) wonder if Wright may have had a hand in designing it.
From the way the building looks at a glance, I would say a Wright connection is doubtful...but stranger things have happened, I guess. Read more about this story here.
Top image via sj-r.com/bottom image via springfield.il.us
Woodworker Recreates Wright
Here's a link to an article about the efforts of master woodworker Timothy Coleman in recreating the large dining room table and library tables from period photos, plans, and remnants at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, NY. Read it here.
Image via wright-up.blogspot.com
Taliesin West Goes Green
The Washington Post reports that Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ is taking some major steps to reduce their staggering $200,000 annual energy bill.Next month will see the addition of 4,000 solar panels, 5,000 new "greener" light bulbs and efforts to make the roof and windows of the iconic building more energy efficient. Read more here.
Image via franklloydwright.org/Judith Bromley
How Did I "Mies" That Connection?
You learn something new everyday! Thanks to the ever-informative members of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's on-line discussion forum, "Wright Chat", I learned that the ultra-modern bank I often drive by in Villa Park, IL is patterned after Mies van der Rohe's original 1946 design proposal for the Cantor Drive-in project that was never built. Read more about it here.
Images via ns.umich.edu and invillapark.com
Did You Miss Modernism Week?
If you were not able to make it to Palm Springs, CA for Modernism Week this year, the LA times provides a look at some of the highlights. Read it here and start planning for next year!
Image via modernismweek.com
PaPa's Boyhood Home For Sale
Here's your chance to live in a place of history! The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park has placed the iconic American author’s boyhood home in Oak Park, IL up for sale for $525,000. There were plans to convert the house into a learning center, but they fell through when Dominican University declined to continue partnering with the foundation. Read more here.
Image via chicagotribune.com
Reprieve On Isabella Street
Lee Bey provides an update to the story we've been following about the two historically significant Irving Residences on Isabella Street in Wilmette. The developer, George Hausen, appears to be willing to save and re-sell the beautiful Van Bergen house and allow the little Schindler/Wright cottage to be moved off of the 1320 Isabella St. lot to save it, too. Read more here.
Image copyright Lee Bey
Laurent House Foundation Closes The Deal
It's official! The Laurent House Foundation recently closed on the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Laurent House and furnishings in Rockford, IL. and its original Frank Lloyd Wright furnishings (after being the winning bidder on the home at auction). Read more here.
Image via rockrivertimes.com
Oak Park Expands Wright Historic District
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Village Board of Oak Park, IL voted earlier this week to expand the boundaries of its "Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District" by adding 444 more homes to the 1490 that were already part of the historically relevant area. Read more here.
Image via triblocal.com
Going, Going...Gone!
It didn't take long for the Rudolph Schindler-designed Goodwin House (1941) in Studio City, CA to sell after coming on the market for $750,000. See what you missed here.
Image via redfin.com
The Roots Of Wright
Last night, my wife and I attended a lecture by Tim Samuelson, the Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago, that he gave at the annual meeting of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.
The lecture was a little advance preview on the topic of "The Roots of Wright" that will be the focus of a new exhibit in Chicago organized by Tim--tentatively scheduled to open June 1, 2012. It was a great presentation with lots of new facts (like who really deserves credit for the Charnley House) and interesting finds that help explain what helped make Wright "Wright."
As more details of the exhibit are announced, we'll keep you all informed.
Image via steinerag.com
Another Schindler Mystery
With all the recent excitement surrounding the discovery of the little cottage in Wilmette, IL designed by Rudolph Schindler while working for Frank Lloyd Wright, it's stirred up interest in trying to locate other buildings in the Chicagoland area that may bear Schindler's fingerprints.
One such mystery is a renovation that Schindler apparently did of a house in Maywood, IL for a J.B. Lee in 1916 while working for another Chicago firm: Ottenheimer, Stern, and Reichert. Problem is, no one knows the address or if any part of it still stands. Anyone have any clues?
Image via trianglemodernisthouses.com
Developer Has Change Of Heart
The Chicago Tribune reports that George Hausen, the Schaumburg-based developer who is under contract for both properties and was revealed to be the individual who original inquired about demolishing the Irving Residences in Wilmette we've been reporting on says in light of the historical significance of the buildings will rethink his plans. The article goes on to say that he'll likely donate the little Wright/Schindler cottage to a preservation group to develop the lot it sits on, while selling the Van Bergen-design home on the other lot, instead of tearing it down. Let's tentatively call this another "win", but I won't rest easy until a new steward is found for both buildings. Read the article here.
Image via chicagotribune.com
The Neutra House In The "Beginners"
The LA TImes has an interview with the set decorator for the Mike Mills autobiographical film "Beginners" about the important role that the famed Richard Neutra-designed Lovell Health House (1927) played in the film. Read it here.
Image via latimesblogs.latimes.com
Griffin's Winning Drawings Look Good As New
After 10 years of intense conservation work, the National Archives of Australia has restored Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin's original winning competion drawings for the city of Canberra--just in time to exhibit for the 100th anniversary of Canberra. Read more here.
Image via canberratimes.com.au
Reminder: Plan On Heading To Taliesin West With The FLWBC
Taliesin West is turning 75 and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has designed a custom all-day event on March 17, 2012 to showcase Wright's winter home and studio. In addition to a private behind-the-scenes tour of Taliesin West in the afternoon, participants will also be treated to a professionally guided tour of the Biltmore Hotel; access to the Harold Price, Sr., House (Wright, 1954) in Paradise Valley, Arizona; and an after-hours event at the Phoenix Art Museum with a reception and viewing of the exhibition Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century. Don't miss this exciting opportunity—register here.
Image via franklloydwright.org/credit Judith Bromley
Blair Kamin Covers The Endangered Irving House
Blair Kamin, the architectural critic for the Chicago Tribune, covered the plight of the James B. Riving houses in Wilmette, IL on his blog Cityscapes and gives PrairieMod the shout out for the role played in connecting Wright and Schindler to the little cottage in the back of the property. Read Blair's post here.
Image via Cityscapes
Lee Bey Covers The Irving House Story
Architectural historian and WBEZ blogger, Lee Bey covered the story of the endangered James B. Irving House and the little Wright/Schindler cottage in Wilmette this morning (which PrairieMod has had an important role in identifying). Read it here. Lee will also be on WBEZ's "Afternoon Shift" with Steve Edwards today after 2:30 pm, talking about it (and other things). Catch it here.
Image via wbez.org
John Lloyd Wright Ranch To Be Sold At Auction
Scott T. sends word and a link that the John Lloyd Wright-designed Merrill House (aka "The Wonder-Y Ranch") in Valley Center, CA will be sold by public auction Saturday March 17, 2012 at 11:00am at the site. Details and photos here.
Image via trovit.com
Marin's Mod Logo
Paul R. sent a link to a great logo design for Frank Lloyd Wright's Marin County Civic Center that he thought PrairieMod readers would enjoy. Definitely catches the spirit of this fantastic building--thanks Paul!
Image via County of Marin
Continuing The Tradition Event
An art exhibition, “Continuing the Tradition,” recently opened and continues through March 9, 2012 at the Kalo Foundation’s Iannelli Studios Heritage Center, 255-57 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge. The first exhibit since the Kalo Foundation purchased the studio last August will showcase some of the area’s current art talents, who carry on the legacy of the Park Ridge Art Colony of a century ago. More than 40 artists are expected to participate in the show. More after the jump...
Rent-A-Neutra
Curbed reports that , in light of the harsh real estate climate in Los Angeles, designer and real estate agent Scott Lander is offering the Richard Neutra's (moved and restored) 1938 Barsha Residence in Pacific Palisades, CA for rent. If you've got $6,000 a month, you can move in. More here.
Iamge via Curbed.com
The Library/Larkin Connection?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? If so, based on a couple of photos sent by Marty Hackl, perhaps Frank Lloyd Wright thought highly enough of the 1878 Peabody Library at John Hopkins University to emulated it in the main atrium of his 1904 Larkin Administration Building that once stood in Buffalo, NY. Any PrairieMod readers know if there's a connection?
Images courtesy of Marty Hackl
THINK :: James B. Irving House Wright/Schindler Revelations
Now in the Features section: the UPDATED story of two significant buildings by three significant Modern architects—including Frank Lloyd Wright and Rudolph Schindler—and the sad fact we may lose them all to the wrecking ball. Read it here.
To stay on top of new PrairieMod features as they roll out, subscribe here.
Image copyright Ron Scherubel
James B. Irving House Update
UPDATE: There has been significant developments regarding the troubling news that the John S. Van Bergen-designed James B. Irving House is in danger of being demolished. What has been found out is that there is an apparent Frank Lloyd Wright-designed/Rudolph Schindler drawn small building also associated with this property that could be lost (seen in the background of the photo at left).
This obviously makes this situation that much more dire. We'll follow-up soon with more details very soon.
Image via realtor.com
Happy Birthday Alfonso!
Blow out the candles--today is Alfonso Iannelli's birthday! He was born February 17, 1888 in the hilly Italian village of Andretta. Celebrate by learning more about why saving his Park Ridge home and studio was so important.
Image courtesy of Tim Samuelson
Van Bergen Trouble Brewing
PrairieMod reader Marty Hackl sent word of a couple of troubling preservation issues concerning some John S. Van Bergen-designed buildings. More after the jump...
Sydney’s Opera House Gets The Lego Treatment
Gizmodo recently spilled the beans on the latest addition to the Lego Architecture series: The iconic Sydney Opera House by Jørn Utzon. I'll let readers weigh-in on how well this little plastic brick version emulates the original. More here.
Image via Gizmodo
Enjoy A Slice Of Wright
The Salt Lake Tribune ran an interesting restaurant tip that might appeal to those of us hungry for architecture: A new Salt Lake City area pizza restaurant called Amore offers a pie they call the “Frank Lloyd Wright” which features marinated mushrooms, fresh arugula and a drizzle of black truffle oil. Whet your appetite here.
Image via sltrib.com
Wright Movie News
Get your popcorn and Junior Mints ready! The Chicago Tribune features a story detailing more info on the Frank Lloyd Wright movie currently in the works. Read it here.
Image via chicagotribune.com
Other Hyde Park Area Houses Of Interest
In perusing the Hyde Park Herald for the info on the Heller open house, I saw several other architectural works for sale in the area. If you can't get Heller, perhaps you might be interested in:
• Harry Weese's "Red Brick" townhouse (1966)
• One of Keck & Keck's Gottschalk Apartments (1937)
• George Washington Maher's Magerstadt "Poppy" House (1906)
Image via hpherald.com
Heller Open House
News from a post on The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's "Wright Chat" message board that the early Wright masterpiece on the market, the Isidore Heller House, will be having an open house from 1-3pm on Sunday February 19, 2012. If you're in the area, check it out. More info here.
Image via hpherald.com
Book Review: Dard Hunter, The Graphic Works
Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters are familiar subjects for many American Arts & Crafts enthusiasts. The various printed items, metal pieces, furniture, tooled leather objects and other handicrafts produced at the East Aurora, New York artistic enclave have been the subject of a host of books, exhibits and studies over the years. Yet, one area that has received scant attention is the topic of graphic design and the important role it played making the Roycroft experiment a success. A new book by Lawrence Kreisman and published by Pomegranate titled Dard Hunter: The Graphic Works seeks to shine a spotlight on the life and work of the finest graphic designer to come out of the Roycrofters. More after the jump...
Continue reading "Book Review: Dard Hunter, The Graphic Works" »
Affordable Wright At Auction
Looking to add the Wright vintage touch to your PrairieMod pad? Then you'll want to check out the various Frank Lloyd Wright-designed furnishings that will be for sale at the March 4, 2012 auction at the John Toomey Gallery in Oak Park, IL. Of particular interest are several fairly affordable pieces of Heritage Henredon furniture that Wright designed in the 1950s. See these and all of the auction lots here.
Image via the John Toomey Gallery
Steve Job's "Likeler" Is No Eichler
Apparently, the much discussed topic of Apple founder Steve Jobs' boyhood home being an "Eichler" was not totally accurate. According to the Eichler Network website, Jobs' childhood home was actually a "Likeler" — most likely the work of famed builder Joesph Eichler’s original architects, Anshen and Allen, who designed Jobs' residence for Mackay Homes.
Be that as it may, Mod architectural design still had its impact on the young Jobs. Read more about it here.
Image via the Eichler Network website
Early Eco-City Faces The Future
Here's a link to an article from the New York TImes website about the transitional period facing Arcosanti, the experimental eco-city in the Arizona desert designed and built by Paolo Soleri. Read more here.
Image via the NYT
Reminder: Iannelli Project Needs Your Help!
Just a reminder to PrairieMod readers: a couple weeks ago I put out a call for artwork, photos, letters, and other related items associated with the Iannelli Studios.
I'm currently working on the design of a new book project: the first comprehensive monograph on Alfonso Iannelli and the Iannelli Studios that is slated to be published later this year.
To make the book a success (both for content and visually) I'm reaching out to PrairieMod readers to see if anyone has Iannelli-related photos, drawings, artwork, letters, etc. that they'd be willing to share hi-res images of for possible inclusion in the book.
Thanks to those that have responded already! I've gotten some great leads already and some generous offers.
If you have such items, please contact me at eric@prairiemod.com and I'll be happy to discuss the project and your Iannelli items with you in more detail.
Image via PrairieMod
Cooley House Gets Grant
Thenewsstar.com reports that the Walter Burley Griffin-designed Cooley House in Monroe, Louisiana has been awarded a $5,000 grant that will assist in its ongoing preservation by the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation. Read more here.
Image via thenewsstar.com
Architecture And Steak
The next time you have a hankerin' for a steak and would like it served while enjoying some progressive architecture, then check out Fields at the Wilderness in the Wisconsin Dells, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, James Dresser. Whet your appetite here.
Image via Fields at the Wilderness
Witness To Arizona History
Here's a link to a news piece from abc15.com about Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice, Cornelia Brierly, and her life as a witness to Arizona's history while living at Taliesin West. Read and see more here.
Image via abc15.com
Pittsburgh's Industrial Strength House
PrairieMod reader, John D., sends a link to an article in the New York Times about the dramatic industrial-inspired home in Pittsburgh, PA with a dramatic cantilever. Read more about it here.
Image via the New York Times website
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