Former Taliesin Apprentice, Earl Nisbet recently shared a wonderful story about his recollection of Frank Lloyd Wright's ideas on what a new home—a "Usonian" home—for Americans should be. It prompted Earl to contemplate and ultimately design a new flag that would wave proudly in "Usonia." Read more after the jump...
Design
Redefining "Green" Thumb
Check out these amazing recycled cardboard cacti creations made by designer David Stark. See them here.
Image via Inhabitat
Carbohydrate Chrysler Building
Check out this crazy mash-up of architecture and food packaging: The Pasta Chrysler Building. More here.
Image via Urban Ascetic
Chillout With This Tribute
Wright Chat user, "wrightgeek," posted this link to a bunch of photos of Ministry of Sound Australia's recently released chillout collection, featuring various music tracks and an amazing model of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater complete with tiny party-goers. Check it out here.
Image via freshhome.com
House's New Prints
The type gurus at House Industries recently announced the release of some new silk screened prints on paper and plywood, featuring sweet "Mod" typographical designs. Check them out here.
Image copyright House Industries
Finalists Announced In Arch Competition
St. Louis Today.com reveals the story and the designs of the five competition finalists' visions for reshaping the grounds around the iconic St. Louis Arch. One of the finalists is Chicago's own Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Read and see it all here.
When Raleigh Was The Center Of The Design Universe
Bank On This Being Cool
PrairieMod reader, Karl K., dropped us a line to say that he came across an interesting opportunity for architecture lovers in Gainesville,
Florida. Apparently, there is a bank drive-in facility that's been replaced by a
building-side window. It's now available for rent along with adjacent
parking and landscaping on a corner, in-town site. The design is solidly Organic in nature and some industrious person
could make a killer walk-up or drive-in business. Thanks Karl! If anyone's interested in finding out more details, call the phone number pictured in the photo.
Image copyright Karl K.
Where Wright, Green and Eichler Converged
Here's a link to a great article exploring the convergence of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of his greatest proteges Aaron G. Green and MCM builder Joseph Eichler. The result was the stunning Mischel House and designs for an amazing California subdivision that was never realized. Read all about it here.
If This London Bridge Falls Down, Build It Back Up
LEGO recently announced the newest addition to their Exclusive Series of building sets: London's famous Tower Bridge. With over 4000 pieces, this is one impressive (and very complex) set! Read the details and watch a video interview with its designer here.
Image via LEGO.com
The Auditorium Building's New Neighbor
A striking new glass 32-story academic and residential tower by VOA Associates of Chicago will soon rise next to Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler’s famed Auditorium Building (now home to Roosevelt University). Read more about it here.
Image via Cityscapes blog/Blair Kamin
Kaufmann Studio's New Net-Zero Pre-Fabs
PrairieMod reader, Paul R., sent me a link to an article discussing Michelle Kaufmann's new foray into Net-Zero pre-fab home designs. Read more about it here.
Image copyright Michelle Kaufman Studio
Mr. Wright's Cars
Out Of The Blue
Here's a link to a YouTube video with a rendering fly-through of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Blue Sky Mausoleum in Buffalo, NY. Watch it here.
Image via YouTube
Virtual Fun With LEGOS
There's a new way to build things with LEGOS: LEGO Digital Designer. You can download this program from the LEGO website and it lets you virtually design and build anything you can dream of out of the popular plastic bricks, right on your PC! When you're done, you can upload it to the web and even have LEGO send you a kit to make your creation in real life.
At left is what I made recently: A "cubed" version of a certain architect (complete with cape, cane and pork pie hat) admiring a mini-model of the Guggenheim Museum. Get more info about LEGO Digital Designer here.
Images copyright PrairieMod
Console @ 54
Chicago-based designer and craftsman, Randall Kramer was nice enough to share a new piece that he just delivered to a Modern Chicago high-rise building. Randall explains:
"The Interior Design firm of Handman Associates were the genesis of this design and I made it. I really like how the hammered texture of the tapered angle iron legs appear with the black patina and the coating of the matte sealer. The custom cabinet handles were fabricated the same manner."
The piece is truly beautiful, embodying a Modern nod to both the Arts & Crafts and Art Deco era. Check out Randall's other work here.
Images copyright Randall Kramer
ReStyle Modular Furniture
I'm really digging UK designer James Howlett's smart and fun take on furniture, as embodied in his ReStyle Multifunctional Modular Furniture. Check it out here.
Image via jameshowlett.co.uk
Pepper Comeback
LEGO Gamble House
Grant W. Scholbrock has done it again! Following-up on his masterful mini LEGO Robie House, Grant has recreated the ultimate bungalow—the Greene & Greene-designed Gamble House in Pasadena, CA. See more images of Grant's amazing work here.
Image copyright Grant W. Scholbrock
Rethinking The Evolution Of Modern Design
Chicago Magazine website discusses the new Smart Museum of Art "Good Design" exhibit and shows-off some photos of what can be seen in the show. More here.
Image via Chicago Magazine website
Birds And Bags
I recently came across the work of designers Shay Ometz and Jeff Barfoot at their Etsy.com shop called "Bee Things." The dynamic duo create bright and fun silkscreen prints of Mod birds, animals and veggies. I especially like their creative approach to dressing-up the common brown lunch bag. Check out their store here.
Image via beethings
Paper Landmarks
If you are good with an X-Acto knife and glue and love architecture than check out Paper Landmarks and start building your own collection of cut-and-paste wonders. Check out all the paper buildings here.
Image via paperlandmarks.com
A Must See Show
Over the weekend, the PrairieMod Squad had a chance to see the new exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center titled "Louis Sullivan's Idea." We were all blown away! Rich in information and visually arresting, if you love architecture and design, then you must see this exhibit. Information on visiting here.
Image copyright Joan Kallas
A Prairie Master
Alfred Caldwell was an important, but often overlooked, architects of the Prairie School. His interest went beyond structures to also include shaping the landscape and plantings around a building's site in the most natural approach possible. To learn more, check out some info and images from the Alfred Caldwell Collection here.
Image via www.cca.qc.ca
Motawi's Magic
Here's an article from the Detroit News about the studio artisans and how they work their magic at the Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Read it here.
Image via detnews.com
Dingbats and Lautner
Hip Stuff On The Square
PrairieMod reader, Scott T. sent me some great info on the Art Fair on the Square (Madison) that he and his family attended this past weekend. They picked up some original and repro works from artist Dolan Geiman. They also saw the art of architect/graphic designer/painter Justin Racinowski, which included a painting of the Imperial Hotel. Follow the links to check out more of their work. Thanks Scott!
Image copyright Dolen Geiman
Chicago Architecture Humor Is "Olive" And Well
Blair Kamin reports on a humorous suggestion to integrate the eye-sore antenna that was placed on top of the Aon Center. My guess is that the idea of making it look like a toothpicked olive came after one too many martinis. Read more here.
Image via Blair Kamin's Cityscapes blog
Depressing News About Depression Era Sculptures
I'm currently enjoying pouring over the new book all about the life and work of Edgar Miller. I recently read the section about his work on the "Animal Court" sculptures he worked on in the 1930s for the Jane Addams Homes public housing development on the city’s Near West
Side. It reminded me that there was an effort to restore these beautiful modernist sculptures, so I figured I'd check-up on the progress. My search turned up a depressing story from May 2010 about funds running out for the project and the sculptures now stuck in limbo. Hopefully something can be done to save these important works. Read more here.
Image via the Chicago Journal
San Diego Delivers
We put the call out to San Diegans to send us a photo of the Alfonso Iannelli-designed upper-corner sculptures on the Golden West Hotel. Well, Sam Bryant pulled through and send us a few pics so that we could all get a better view at these interesting cubist sculptures. Thanks Sam! Read the original post here.
Images copyright Sam Bryant
Good Design Is Smart
Mid-Century: Good Design in Europe and America, 1850-1950 is a new exhibit put together at the University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art. The exhibit features objects from its collection exhibiting the show's namesake including several Frank Lloyd Wright works of furniture and art glass. Read more here.
Image via Chicago Sun-Times
Miller In Modernism
The newest issue of Modernism Magazine has a great article about Chicago's "handmade residences" by Edgar Miller. Reading about this amazing Modern Renaissance man and his work in Chicago made me really want to pick up a copy of the new monograph about him to learn more. Sounds like a trip to the bookstore! Read more about the magazine article here.
Picture The Impossible
Sometimes the impossible does happen. When it seemed like the end had come for Polaroid film, an intrepid group of enthusiasts formed The Impossible Project to save the last Polaroid
production plant for Integral Instant film in Enschede (NL) and started
to re-invent and re-produce a new instant film for traditional Polaroid
Cameras. Now you can order the film through their website, so that your Henry Dreyfus-designed Polaroid SX-70 won't collect dust anymore. Read about it here.
Image via the Impossible Project website
Another Springfield, Ohio Cultural Gem Saved
In addition to the Westcott House, Springfield, Ohio now has another preservation feather to stick in their cap. Their art deco post office from 1934 has been restored, including two WPA-era murals by Herman
Wessel. Read more here.
Image via fedsmith.com
Seeing The Light
D Light Design has recently won the Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy for it's low-cost solar lantern, which was developed specifically to rid dependence in sub-Saharan Africa on kerosene lamps. Read more here.
Image via D Light Design
Bent Basket
Faris Elmasu's new design for a bicycle basket will have wood-lovers' hearts beating a little faster. Bent plywood and elastic straps make-up the shapely and streamlined design. See more here.
Image copyright Faris Elmasu
Pics Of Pickwick
Over the weekend I took a little trip up to Park Ridge, IL to check out the beautiful Pickwick Theater. With amazing Art Deco features inside and out by the artist/designer Alfonso Iannelli, the theater is an architectural gem and well worth a visit. Check out a photo tour after the jump...
Room & Board Outdoor Living
Paul R. sent us a link to Room & Board's Montego outdoor furniture sporting a new look that definitely says "PrairieMod." The Little Red House would love a set of these on its deck! Check out the line here.
Image via Room & Board
Building A Better Block
Tegu is an innovative line of educational toys that uses eco-friendly wood, integrated magnets and heaps of imagination. Check out these wonder blocks here.
Image copyright Tegu
Calling All San Diegans!
PrairieMod needs your help, San Diego. If any of our readers there could snap a detailed photo of one of the upper corner sculptures on the Golden West Hotel, we'd be much obliged. The sculptures we executed by famed artist and designer, Alfonso Iannelli and we'd like to get a better look at them (and share with PMod readers as well!)
Image via Google
Letterpress At Home
I recently came across the Epic Six personal letterpress printer from Lifestyle Crafts at the Paper Source in Chicago and was amazed. Finally, a way to experiment with the art of letterpress printing without shelling-out tons of money! Check it out here.
Image via Lifestyle Crafts
16th Workshop
We got an email from Chris Armes, who with his wife, run the 16th Workshop in Seattle, WA where they design and build hand-made modern
furniture. I checked out their stuff on their website and love the use of natural materials, the supple organic forms, the Mod sensibility. In short, very PrairieMod. Check out 16th Workshop for yourself here.
Image copyright 16th Workshop
Forest Of Woods
Check out this sweet set of wooden trees designed by Mark Giglio on his website, Pen Pencil Stencil. Who knew scrap wood could be so great? See more of Mark's work here.
Image copyright Mark Giglio
Milton Stricker Book Online
Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice, Milton Stricker's devotion to the cause of Organic Architecture culminated with the writing of his book, Design Through Abstraction: The Wright Source to Art and Architecture, which is being made available to the public on C. Jefferey Small's website. Check it out here.
Image via miltonstricker.com
Case And Grain
PrairieMod reader, Paul R. sent me a link to an amazing furniture design studio called Case and Grain located in Los Angeles. Their custom work uses the beauty of natural materials and features clean lines and subtle forms. Check it out here.
Image via caseandgrain.com
Live Small: Usonian Style
Joseph Sandy let us know that the plan set for his 350 sq ft Usonian style small house are finished and ready for download. Check out the small wonder here.
Image copyright Joseph Sandy
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