PrairieMod

Hotel Lautner Update

Received a note yesterday from Tracy Beckmann at Hotel Lautner. Sadly, the opening date for this restored architectural gem has been pushed back to sometime in 2011. Check out the website after the jump.

Image copyright Hotel Lautner

Tour of Beth Sholom Synagogue

Beth Sholom Synagogue is a structure I passed countless times growing up in Northeast Philadelphia. On a recent trip home, I scheduled a tour of this breathtaking and historic synagogue and took some photos. Not only is the building itself a marvel, but the visitors' center contains many original correspondence between Frank Lloyd Wright and Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen; there's a great interactive feature that allows viewers to see this translucent building from inside and out at various times of day and year. Also, the moving 20-minute film (narrated by Leonard Nimoy) actually left me a little verklempt. My tour guide, who has been a member of the congregation for 35 years, is proof that worshipers take great pride in their synagogue and appreciate its architectural and spiritual significance.

Neutra In San Francisco

Here's a brief article about seeing Richard Neutra's work in San Francisco, with specific focus on his 1939-40 Kahn House. Read more here.

Image via Curbed SF

Enriched Tours Are All The Rage

Blair Kamin reports on a new mobile-enriched architecture tour put together by the Chicago-based Society of Architectural Historians. It involves downloading a Microsoft application, finding a sign on a building, scanning a bar codes on that sign with your smart phone and then some info and photos pop-up about the building. Interesting concept, but we're (obviously) still partial to our untethered, more flexible and intensely content laden FanGuide™ Chicago Loop tour.

Image via Cityscapes blog

How to Pronounce Moleskine?

During my winter travels to AZ, FL and Cali, I picked up a Moleskine Notebook to create a Travel Journal. I soon discovered that no one knows how to pronounce it, (Mole-skin?). Apparently, Moleskine does not have an official pronunciation as it is a "brand name with undefined national identity" and this viral video underscores the fact.

Image copyright Moleskine

Cooney House Resort Rental in Sarasota

Modern Sarasota made an announcement recently about a cool new rental that is a famous Sarasota School of Architecture structure—the Cooney House. 

Designed by Seibert Architects, it is currently featured in Sarasota Mag's "10 Most Beautiful Homes". For info contact Martie and view some images here.

Image copyright Modern Sarasota

Wexler Weekend in Palm Springs

In January 2010, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation is putting together an amazing looking weekend that is all about Donald Wexler's architecture. I cannot think of a better excuse to go to Palm Springs in winter! That is aside from the perfect weather.

Plenty of options are available for different wallet sizes. More info here.

Image copyright PSPF

Modern Sarasota: Carl Abbott Architecture Tour

On January 23rd, 2010 from 10am-3pm, Martie Lieberman of Modern Sarasota fame, will be hosting a tour of Florida Modernist Carl Abbott's work. The tour will be led by none other than Carl Abbott himself! Get more details here.

Image copyright Peter Vanderwarker

A Trip To "Cedar Rock"

Saturday, a couple of members of the PrairieMod Squad headed west to Quasqueton, Iowa to enjoy "An Afternoon with Frank Lloyd Wright" event and tour the Lowell Walter House. Read and see more after the jump...

Photos from our LA & Palm Springs Shoot

For the past week, Lisa & I have been in SoCal shooting photos for upcoming FanGuide™ Tour & Audio Companion iPhone applications. While we were gone, Eric, Jared & Martrese have been holding down the fort with some amazing posts. We thought it might be nice to post some of the raw images we captured during our trip (Neutra's famed Lovell House in LA-at left).

Enjoy more images after the jump...

From Within Outward: A Quick Trip

The celebrated exhibit Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward will be closing this Sunday August 23, 2009. If you haven't seen it yet, get to NYC to view this stunning show. A couple of PrairieMod Squad members decided to drop everything, get a last-minute plane ticket and fly to see the show yesterday (then turn around and fly back out). We even got to see our West Coast PrairieMod Squad member, Martrese White!

It was a whirlwind tour, but worth it. The building looks spectacular and the show was filled with amazing treats from the Frank Lloyd Wright Archives. I especially enjoyed the numerous new scale models of some of Wright's most famous building designs. If you can't make it to New York before Sunday, then get the exhibition catalog--it's the next best thing to being there.

Image copyright PrairieMod

Wright Road Trip

The Wall Street Journal has put together a 300-mile Midwest road trip that hits the architectural highlights of Frank Lloyd Wright. Check out the article of what makes the list and an interactive map of the tour route.

Image copyright WSJ

Philip Johnson's Glass House Modern Friends Tours

Help support the preservation of the Philip Johnson Glass House's 14 buildings and structures, art collection and 47-acre landscape by becoming a Modern Friend. Learn more about this new unique tour offering here.

Image copyright Philip Johnson's Glass House

Great Deal on Historic Phoenix, AZ Hotel

TravelZoo just reported on a phenomenal deal for the Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. Though Wright's on-site consulting was limited to four months in 1928 relating to the masonry unit "Textile Block" construction, some visitors say the entire hotel has the look and feel of a Wright building, especially in the main lobby. It's quite a beauty!

Image copyright Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

Mark Your Calendars

If you love Organic Architecture, then you're going to want to get your tickets for two upcoming tours: The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed "Auldbrass" Plantation in South Carolina on November 7-8 and the Usonian subdivision of Rush Creek Village in Ohio on September 27. Follow the links for info.

Image via Beaufort County Open Land Trust website

Do Not Miss This Buffalo Event!

Mark your calendars for October 7-11, 2009 for the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's annual conference, taking place this year in Buffalo, NY! If you love architecture and enjoy amazing access to it, then you're in luck. The events and tours listed will feature all of the architectural treasures that Buffalo has to offer, including in-depth looks at the Darwin D. Martin House, "Greycliff," the Boyton House and many more. Find out all the details here and make sure to sign-up soon: space is limited for this once-in-a-lifetime event!

Image via FLWBC

See The Architectural Treasures of...Iowa?

You betcha! Iowa holds some really amazing and important architecture wonders from such greats as Louis Sullivan, Walter Burley Griffin and Frank Lloyd Wright. Find out more about taking a special tour of these gems after the jump...

Out And About Wright New York: This Just In!

If you thought you missed your chance to get your ticket for the upcoming Out And About Wright New York trip, you're in luck! We just heard from the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy that they have added 10 more seats to the tour schedule. Contact Christine Gloriosa at cgloriosa@savewright.org or follow the link to sign-up. Act soon, these extra seats will not last!

Image copyright FLWBC

Win The Ultimate Wright Weekend In Buffalo

The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau is pulling out all the stops to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for two lucky people! Here's your chance to win the Ultimate Wright Weekend in Buffalo, NY. Follow the link to see all the things you can win and enter the drawing today!

Image copyright The Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau

Out And About Wright: New York Tour Details

This is a trip NOT to miss! The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's "Out And About Wright" Tour program has become one of the hottest (and most affordable) architectural experiences of late and we've heard and experienced nothing but good things. Their next offering on June 20, 2009 is a biggie: New York to see rare private Wright residences and the Guggenheim Museum! Check out a full set of details after the jump...

Modern Sarasota Tours This Summer

The Chicago Bauhaus & Beyond Modern Sarasota Tour is sold out and so is the Central Modern Sarasota School of Architecture Tour, but don't worry....there is another option this summer! Contact Martie Lieberman at Modern Sarasota Architecture Tours for guided half-day, full-day and group tours of Sarasota's architectural gems. Call her at 941.724.1118.

Bauhaus School Recycled

The famous Dessau, Germany Bauhaus School designed by Walter Gropius has been turned into a boutique youth hostel where people can spend the night in the same rooms occupied by some of the most famous artists and designers of the 20th century. Read more here.

Image copyright Bauhaus Dessau, via Treehugger.com

See The Bradley House

The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust is offering an all-day excursion to see the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Bradley House in Kankakee, IL on April 18, 2009. The trip will also swing through the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago to catch a glimpse at the Walter Burley Griffin homes there. Follow the link to learn more.

Image copyright FLWPT

Sarasota, Florida Modern Tour Weekend

How would you like to spend 2 full days touring important MCM architecture in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Sarasota, FL with a great group of modern enthusiasts from Chicago?

Join Chicago Bauhaus & Beyond and visit Florida houses, churches and schools designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Gene Leedy, the Sarasota School of Architecture and beyond. Details here, cutoff date is April 15th. If you cannot attend, please contact Martie at Modern Sarasota for other tour dates.

Image copyright Rizzoli/Ken Hayden

Plan A Wright Road Trip

The Daily Traveler Blog has put together a suggested list for anyone interested in taking a Frank Lloyd Wright Road Trip this summer. Gas-up the fuel efficient car, get some snacks and head over to this link to see the suggested stops.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Super-cool Architourism Getaways

How would you like to stay in a classic modern home and take guided architecture tours during the day?  Check out these three modern properties available for short-term rental from Andrew Weaving, author of architecture and interior design books "Sarasota Modern" and "Living Retro." 

They include:
Lakeland House by Mark Hampton FAIA, a classic modern mid-century home in Lakeland, Florida, near Frank Lloyd Wright's Florida Southern College and Gene Leedy FAIA's amazing body of work in Winter Haven.

More places to visit after the jump...

A Visit To Motawi Tileworks

The PrairieMod Squad took a road trip yesterday to visit the Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was a blast! Motawi has quickly risen to become one of the leading American tile studios with the help of a dedicated manufacturing process, savvy business moves and a flawless eye for creating beautiful polychrome and relief tile designs. More after the jump...

Renting Wright

Curious what it would be like to stay at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Louis Penfield House in Willoughby, Ohio? Then check out this review by a blogger who decided to stay there for the night.

Photo copyright Scott Bultman

Alden B. Dow, Autumn Reflections Home Tours 2008

The Alden B. Dow Home & Studio in Midland, Michigan is hosting a special weekend in early October. October 3rd-5th, 2008, tours of two privately owned Dow homes will be offered for $45.

I've been to Midland and highly recommend a visit to this Midwest Mid-Century Modern Mecca.

For more details, visit www.abdow.com.

Image copyright Dow H&S

Gardens And Stars In Rockford, Illinois

It's a beautiful late-summer day here in Chicago. The perfect day to go a friends' wedding taking place at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL—rated the top Japanese gardens in North America. We're also going to visit the nearby Starlight Theater, designed by Studio Gang architects. I'll be sure to post some photos of our travels for all to enjoy!

Image copyright Anderson Japanese Gardens

George Nakashima Studio

Legendary craftsman George Nakashima's showroom and studio in New Hope, PA are featured in The Area Guide Book for 2008. Some news to me...the studio is open for self-guided tours. Gotta add this one to the list.

More details are listed on the official Nakashima website.

Image copyright tarelki

Visit Taliesin

If you live in the Midwest and can't take a far-away vacation due to high energy costs and the nightmarish conditions of air travel, might I suggest a trip to Wisconsin? Crain's online Chicago Business recently showcased Taliesin in Spring Green, WI as a destination close to Chicago that will take your breath away. Check out the article here, pack the kids up in your most fuel efficient vehicle and enjoy!

Photo copyright Crain's Communications

Canoe Bay's Killer Cabins

In the latest issue of Food and Wine, these cabins are written up as being inspired by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. These places look amazing!

One of the cabins is called The Rattenbury, named after architect John Rattenbury....an FLW apprentice. It'll set you back $875 a night, but it really seems awesome from the photos. From the sight.....

The Rattenbury cottage sits atop a hill at the end of its own private road, and is in every way a feast for the eyes! Offering the most dramatic lake views, it was designed by John Rattenbury of Taliesin Architects & The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. This “little house” of a cottage (~900 sq. ft.) is unforgettable for its Prairie style architecture, massive 14’ high stone fireplace, clear-cedar interior, oak hardwood floor, fine appointments, and cathedral ceiling with clerestory windows. In the bath, have fun with the unique “wet room” tile shower with rainforest showerhead, plus the oversized Jacuzzi tub. The indulgent comforts of the luxuriously outfitted King bed, concert hall sound system and marvelous cantilevered private deck are icing on the cake. And of course, it offers the extra ease and convenience of a carport.

Image and text Canoe Bay

Southern Roadtrip Notes: Going Googie in Clarksville, Tennesse

The last stop on the way back to Chicago was Clarksville, TN. The self-proclaimed "Gateway to the NEW South" is home of Ft. Campbell army base. However, it is also home to many Googie styled structures. After a quick swing through town, I quickly got the impression that Clarksville doesn't take great pride in preserving architectural gems. To get a bit more detail and see various images of Clarksville Googie, check out this post via Desperately Seeking Modern.

Happy New Year!

Image copyright Desperately Seeking Modern

Southern Roadtrip Notes: Streamline Moderne (And More) in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville will always hold a special place in my heart, since I spent 6 years of my life there during college. I'm always excited to go back for a visit and see what's going on in this rapidly growing metropolis.

Just like Atlanta, Nashville is known for many things. However, architecture isn't necessarily one of them. Despite this, there is a wonderful mix of antebellum homes, seemingly postmodern architecture like the "Batman" building and many MCM structures such as the Imperial House apartments (see photo below).

Another great architectural style that is represented in Nashville is Art Deco and/or Streamline Moderne.

Southern Roadtrip Sidenotes: Bungalows Abound in Atlanta, Georgia

I spent some time in the ATL this holiday season and was captivated by the bungalows that are everywhere across the city. Atlanta is known for many things and to me....bungalows never came to mind.

There are revived historic bungalow neighborhoods like Westview....

Or new developments based on the historic bungalow model, like East Village Park...

Leaving On A High Note

For the last day on our PrairieMod vacation, we decided to stop off at one of the most magnificent buildings Frank Lloyd Wright designed, the Marin County Civic Center. Being a government building, it was closed on Saturday, but that was ok, because it meant that we had the whole place to ourselves and could take a bunch of photos to share with you!

Visiting 3 Natural Wonders In Sonoma County

The PrairieMod Squad continued their travels in Sonoma County today by visiting 3 amazing natural wonders--with some American Craftsman-style mixed in for fun!

The House That Jack Built

Members of the PrairieMod Squad continued their West Coast travels today, visiting the towns of Sonoma, Napa and Glen Ellen. What was particularly interesting was an exploration of Jack London State Historic Park, which revealed some interesting architectural history.

Where The River Meets The Sea

Continuing the journey around Northern California, members of the PrairieMod Squad made a trip to a very special place in Sonoma county. Jenner is a small town on the coast, where the fresh water Russian River meets the salty Pacific Ocean. It's here that some amazing coastal rock formations occur, including one that has become a popular landmark dubbed, Goat Rock.

This coastal beach area is also a special place because it's where harbor seals congregate, feed and have their pups. We caught a glimpse of some, popping their funny little heads up out of the water for a look around.

It was an absolutely stunning day trip and one that we would suggest to anyone who travels to the Sonoma county area. There are also plenty of little antique stores in the towns along the way as well, and we saw plenty of California pottery, Roycroft copper, Batchelder tiles and Mid-Century modern furniture. So if you visit, keep an eye-out for treasures along the way. Enjoy!

Photos copyright PrairieMod

A Modern Museum's Turn-Of-The-Century Treasures

Members of the PrairieMod Squad continued their travels in the San Francisco Bay area today, on their way to Sonoma County. Since it was a road-trip day, I thought I'd post a few more photos from our visit to the de Young Museum of Art at Golden Gate Park.

A Walk In Muir Woods

The PrairieMod Squad visited a true natural wonder today, Muir Woods National Monument.

The absolutely amazing coastal redwood trees in this National Park defy belief in both their size and age. We walked around for a few hours and enjoyed the calm serenity of one of the last natural stands of these trees on earth. Excessive logging of these giants has nearly wiped them out and now only protected groves, such as the one in Muir Woods, are left standing.

As we neared the end of our hike, we sought out the cafe to catch some lunch. Displayed on the side of the lunch building was a large redwood tree trunk cross section which caught our attention. The sign posted next to it turned out to hold one last surprise for us:

This 16-foot wide section of a coast redwood, cut from a tree 70 miles north of Muir Woods, records eleven centuries of growth, fire and varying forest conditions. In 1893, when travel to the West was difficult and few had seen a redwood forest, this slab was exhibited at the Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. Visitors stood, as we do today, gazing at one of nature’s grand accomplishments. The broadest tree in Muir Woods is 13.5 feet in diameter. The broadest recorded coast redwood is 20 feet in diameter.

As it turns out, no matter how far you travel from Chicago, it always has a way of finding you!

Photos copyright PrairieMod

A Visit To The Heath Ceramics Studio

We saw the Heath Ceramics display at the Dwell on Design Conference and instantly fell in love. We knew that we had to make the short drive up the coast from San Francisco to Sausalito, the site of the studio where this simple, earthy pottery is made.

PrairieMod In San Francisco: Day 3

Members of the PrairieMod Squad continue their travels in the San Francisco Bay Area this week! After podcasting the Dwell on Design Conference, we decided to check out the area sites and share some of the cool things we saw with everyone. So, here's a photo montage of some of the city sites we saw. Enjoy!

A PrairieMod Day Trip

A couple of us made a short trip to Madison, WI this weekend for a bit of sight-seeing and the Wisconsin Pottery Association Pottery Show. Here are some photo highlights....

The Haeger Pottery piece I bought at the show. It's called Eve and was one of the first vase Haeger produced in 1871. The complimentary piece is called Adam, which I already have in black:

The Bradley House by Sullivan (Elmslie) in Madison, WI. It is now a frat house for UW:

A George Washington Maher house around the corner from the Sullivan frat house:

Frank Lloyd Wright's Jacobs House (the first Usonian):

A prefab Frank Lloyd Wright house:

Images courtesy BK's iPhone

More Reflections from my MOMA Visit

So I'm at the JetBlue Terminal of JFK looking out a window at Eero Saarinen's TWA Flight Center and I start reflecting on great modern design. Naturally, I was thinking about things at MOMA since I was just there recently. I recalled perusing the Muji Store at MOMA, which I first heard about from Josh Spear during his Brand Utopian lecture.

Muji is a Japanese retail company that sells a variety of household goods. Muji is distinguished by its design minimalism, emphasis on recycling, avoidance of waste in production and packaging, and a no-logo policy. Products range from pens, notebooks, and clothing for men and women to food items and major kitchen appliances. The name Muji means No Brand Name when loosely translated.

The great thing about this stuff is that it is all designed with guiding principles that provide savvy customers with products that are beautiful, useful, and essential "objects for living." It is worth checking out to see what necessities you might be able to get.

Images copyright Pheezy & Muji

Confessions of a PrairieMod Sqaud Member

I must confess that while on my trip to NYC (via JetBlue and resting my head at the modish Hotel QT), I stopped by MOMA to see two Apple Computer products in their design collection. Yeah, I swung by Van Gogh's Starry Night, Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon and even a few paintings by Matisse, Cezanne, Kandinsky and Chagall. However, the real draw for me was Apple Computer's Flat Panel iMac and their first generation iPod, designed by Jonathan Ive & Company.  Sure there were nice Louis Sullivan pieces and some sweet Frank Lloyd Wright objects, even designs by Eames, Mies and Aalto...but there is just something about those white polycarbonate and chrome objects that get me excited.

When I got back to Hotel QT tonight to crash, I looked up some info about Jonathan Ive and loved what I read on www.jonathanive.com. Below is an excerpt talking about what influences him as a designer...

• Nature – many of the products Jonathan has created at Apple are directly influenced by natural objects, such as the sunflower-inspired iMac G4 and the Pro Mouse which was inspired by a droplet of water. Indeed an organic influence can be felt in all Apple products – it is what makes them friendly, understandable and tactile.

• Honesty – Jonathan increasingly speaks about the ‘honesty’ in the way he uses materials. This is evidenced both in the design of the original iMac where there is no pretension in the use of plastics, and in more recent products such as the PowerMac G5 which is boldly formed from one piece of aluminium.

Sounds like Mr. Ive is a PrairieMod Squad member by way of his intuition!

Images copyright Apple, Inc.

Kimpton Hotel's EarthCare Program: Small Choices Can Really Add Up

I first came across the Kimpton Hotels experience while reading the fantastic marketing and branding book Mind Your X's & Y's. Kimpton is all about creating an environment that is much different than your typical Hilton or Marriott. Each boutique hotel is pet-friendly and they offer unique events such as hosted evening wine tastings. Each hotel reflects the distinct cultural "flavors" of the city you're staying in and for regular Kimpton patrons, they remember all of your personal travel preferences.

Well, I met up with my sister this week who is in Chi-town on business from the ATL and she happened to be staying at a Kimpton Hotel! Very cool indeed. However, while I was in her room I saw a table tent card talking about the Kimpton EarthCare program. The info I read stated that all Kimpton Hotels are eco-friendly. As I read the details, I got the impression that this hotel brand is a good fit for those living the PrairieMod Lifestyle.

Midland, Michigan: Midwest Mid-Century Modern Mecca

After being in Midland, MI for the weekend to see the Frank Lloyd Wright & The House Beautiful exhibit, I discovered that this little city is truly the "Midwest Mid-Century Modern Mecca". Aside from Alden B. Dow's Home & Studio (see photos above and below), there are hundreds of interesting architectural treasures in Midland. Alden Dow built about 100 homes and structures in town and many of his proteges also built inspiring homes for clients in the area.

It was a treat to see such a strong presence of Organic architecture all concentrated in one place. Below is a sampling of some various structures that I took some snapshots of...

Midland, MI 2007 Photo Album

One last site that was brilliant on the trip was a stop in St. Joseph, MI at the Harper residence that Frank Lloyd Wright built in 1950. This small 1700 sq. ft. home sits right along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan with a view that is awe inspiring. I could write all about it, or you could view the pictures of this home with a butterfly roof. Check out our photo album of Wright's Harper House.

Produce Great People; the Rest Follows: Elbert Hubbard & Roycroft

During a recent business trip to Buffalo, NY, I had the opportunity to stay at the Roycroft Inn of East Aurora, NY. At the front of the inn is a massive oak door with a quotation carved into in..."Produce Great People; the Rest Follows". These words (some attribute to Walt Whitman, some Elbert Hubbard) foreshadow things to be discovered at the Roycroft Inn & Campus.

Elbert Hubbard, founder of the Roycrofters, an Arts & Crafts movement community established a little over 100 years ago, left an amazing legacy behind. The tranquil beauty of all that remains and all that is restored at the Roycroft Campus leaves one breathless. Such a rich history deserves to be explored and understood by modern folks like ourselves.

How is what has been preserved by organizations like the Roycroft Campus Corporation & the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation important to us today? Aside from the beauty and the intrigue is something deeper. The ideals espoused by the Roycrofters were and are simplicity, natural living, health and intellectual well being. Aren't those things what we city-dwelling or suburbanite Americans are still chasing after? We create devices to help make life easier, though that never really seems to work. We maintain parks and preserves to stay in touch with nature amidst an overpowering sprawl. And aren't good health and a strong intellect things we try to develop through our memberships to health clubs and endeavors at higher education?

Aside from pondering these questions, I also was surprised to learn some key facts about Elbert Hubbard and the Roycrofters that I wasn't aware of before. Mr. Hubbard was a shrewd businessman and a marketing genius, not just a country philosopher who produced incredibly beautiful and useful objects. He was an advocate for Socialism, but ran the Roycrofters as a capital enterprise. The list goes on, but I'll leave that for you to discover....perhaps on a visit to East Aurora for an enchanting weekend?

Some excellent places to start are a read through The Fra, published by the Roycroft Campus Corporation and Elbert Hubbard's most famous essay, A Message to Garcia (at one time the 3rd most published piece after the Bible and the dictionary). Enjoy!