Issue 105 July 11th 2018

The Headlines

The Best U.S. Buildings, Parks, And Museums To Visit This Summer

Curbed has given us a list of tours, parks, and buildings for architecturally-minded travelers to add to their itinerary this summer. Lots of Wright-related stops on this list, such as the Hollyhock House, David & Gladys Wright House, Taliesin West, Unity Temple, Fallingwater, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Locations and website information is included, so get out there and enjoy! Read more.

Designed By Frank Lloyd Wright Home Videos

If you like learning about Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and don't want to leave your living room, then be sure to check out the selection of architecture videos offered in the "Designed By Frank Lloyd Wright" series. See them all and order them here.

Explore Wright's Burnham Block

Atlas Obscura has an interesting article about Frank Lloyd Wright's Burnham Block in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wright was fixated on the problem of economical, excellent housing for working people. In 1915, Wright teamed up with Milwaukee developer Arthur L. Richards on a grand plan to try and build wonderful houses for a moderate cost. Wright conceived and designed what he called the American System-Built Homes, a collection of not-quite-pre-fab small houses.

Between 1915 and 1917, Wright churned out hundreds of drawings and more than 30 house models. Only about a dozen of the houses were ever built: the six on Burnham Street and others scattered around the Midwest.

In recent years, a nonprofit called "Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block" has been buying up the houses and restoring them. They now own four of them with one fully restored, and are partway through the restoration of a second, which they plan to rent out for overnight stays. You can also spend the night in one of the two privately owned houses. Guided tours are offered on Friday and Saturday afternoons from May through September, and on some Saturday afternoons during the rest of the year. Read more.

The Shape Of Metropolises That Could Have Been

Creative agency neomam has illustrated the architectural possibilities that could have reshaped our modern cities. Neomam takes us around the world to look at some of humanity’s most forefront architectural proposals with seven digital renders to view. In Chicago, "The Illinois": a skyscraper that redefines purpose was proposed in Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1957 book, A Testament. It could house over 100,000 people, with room for 20,000 cars, 180 helicopters powered by 60 mph atomic-powered elevators. See more here.

Marin County Civic Center Roof Project Continues To Preserve Wright Legacy

Work continues on a $17.8 million roof project at the Marin County Civic Center. After several smaller patch jobs, in 2015 it was determined that the roof needed to be replaced. The Board of Supervisors last fall hired Arntz Builders of Novato to replace the roof of the 470,168-square-foot building — the largest public project by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The project will be completed in two phases. Work on the administration wing and library dome is expected to wrap up late fall. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Read more.

Mason City Native Continues Downtown Mural Project

Mason City native Keely Hertzel, who currently lives in Denver, Colorado, is working on the City Center building where she has started a Wright-inspired mural as part of the "Building Our Brand" project in Mason City. When Hertzel is in town, she also often works at the Decker House Bed and Breakfast, and tells guests there to walk around the area.

"I tell guests every single day to walk down here, see the historic Park Inn (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), see all these beautiful properties we have," Hertzel said. "And to have something like this to draw their attention ... personally, I don't think you can put a value on that. It's so cool to be able to look at local art." Read more.

Most Beautiful Building In Every US State (According To Locals)

Architecture is a powerful form of art. When a city builds a library, train station, school, or museum that adds to the streetscape, it can transform a neighborhood and increase emotional well-being of residents. Business Insider asked readers to name the one architectural masterpiece they adore in their state. Responses ranged from a cliff side church to a famous lighthouse.

The Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Milwaukee were the top pick of the people of Wisconsin, with several Wright designs getting honorable mentions in many other states. See all the interesting architectural choices here.

An Early John Randal McDonald House For Sale

Unique opportunity to own a sweet home designed by John Randal McDonald, an architect who built upon Wright's Organic principals to create his own interpretations. This spectacular 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in Racine, WI is billed as JRMcD's "first built home" and features original hardwood floors throughout, beautifully remodeled bathroom, and an industrial galley style kitchen that creates a practical, space-efficient flow. For $115k, you get a lot of cool design in a wonderful little MCM package. More here.

Rancho Mirage Is California’s Midcentury Gem You Need To See

Been to Palm Springs already? Then Rancho Mirage is the California town to see for Midcentury architectural gems. Long overshadowed by its neighbor, Rancho Mirage has in recent years been coming into its own as an architectural destination. Architectural Digest features an article on this midcentury oasis that blossomed in the postwar years: Rancho Mirage. Now the subject of Mod Mirage, a new book by Melissa Riche with photography by her husband, Richard Riche ($60, Gibbs-Smith). Of particular note is the design of architect A. Quincy Jones, who at the request of owners Walter and Leonore Annenberg, looked to the Textile Block architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright for inspiration. Read more.

Mission Partially Accomplished

The exterior of famed Craftsman furniture maker Gustav Stickley’s home in Syracuse, NY has been restored to its 1902 appearance. Preservation, local and state officials gathered last week at the house to mark the occasion, a milestone in a years-long effort to restore the 118-year-old home. Fundraising is underway for the second phase of the project, the restoration of its interior.

Stickley bought the home in June 1900 and rebuilt its interior in 1902 following a fire. It is widely regarded as the first comprehensive Craftsman-style residential interior in the nation. Much of Stickley’s interior design remains intact on the first and second floors.

Stickley, who died in the house in 1942, is famous for his Craftsman, or mission, style furniture. He was also a major promoter of the Arts & Crafts movement in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Read more.

Solving the Mystery Of Taliesin's Carriages: The Puzzle and the Denouement

The Whirling Arrow has the second installment of a two-part series where Vicki Nelson Bodoh shares her journey of finding and researching Frank Lloyd Wright’s carriages. Bodah documents many of the carriages that were used by Wright, his family and the Fellowship for transportation and recreation. Several carriages were taken to Wesley Jung for restoration and/or sale and all but one of these were returned to Taliesin. They were no longer used and ended up in storage on the property. Read more.

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