Issue 108 August 1st 2018

The Headlines

How 3D Technology is Transforming Taliesin West

The Whirling Arrow has reprinted an article that originally appeared on Icon magazine online. Fred Prozzillo, Vice President of Preservation for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation writes that 3D digital scanning is being used to amplify the legacy and understanding of the American architect’s ‘winter camp’, Taliesin West. Read the article here.

House Confidential: A Rare Frank Lloyd Wright Home

Urban Milwaukee tells the story of Joseph Mollica's “Usonian” home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1956, Mollica turned to the Marshall Erdman Company, a Madison designer/builder for a prefabricated home.

At the beginning of the decade, Marshall Erdman was the contractor for the Unitarian Meeting House in Madison, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). Wright had long had an interest in modular and prefabricated design. In 1955 he presented Erdman with two prototypical designs for such “Usonian” residences. Mollica's Model #1, was one of nine constructed between 1956 and 1961 at a cost of about $20,000. This residence, with more than 4,000 square feet, is among the larger of Wright homes, thanks in part to a mostly finished basement level that leads out to the ravine. The building kit included windows, trim, and other stock parts, while the owner was responsible for the foundation, the mechanicals — and the paint. Read more.

Willey House Stories Part 7: Step Right Up

Steve Sikora, owner of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Malcom Willey House, continues his exploration of the home and its influence on architecture and society. Read the article here.

Wright-Inspired Library and Community Center Opens in West Seneca

The new West Seneca Library and Community Center in West Seneca, NY, is not the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Rather it is inspired by the world renowned American architect. While FLLW purists will have some issues with the project, most people will probably look at the new build as a tribute to the legendary architect. Visitors to the building would undoubtedly admit that it’s a lot more attractive than a lot of other new rural builds that have been constructed in recent decades.

The $13.5 million dollar center, built by Resetarits Construction Corp., features library space for children and adults, a café that, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, and a ‘rec room’, among other amenities. See a 3D walk through here.

Moby's Home Designed By Taliesin Apprentice Selling For $1.3 Million

DJ and entrepreneur Moby, who has also made a name for himself as a budding real estate mogul, has another beautiful house up on the market. Located in Westchester, the mid-century home was designed by David Henken, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, and is now selling for $1.3 million. Moby has pledged via his Instagram to put his proceeds from the home's sale towards a variety of causes, including the support of progressive political candidates and animal rights organizations. See the photos here.

See Taliesin West In A New Light

Christopher Thompson, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Board of Trustees member and founder and principal of Studio Lux architectural lighting design, shares the process behind his award-winning landscape lighting design for Taliesin West. Images show the end-result of a complete retrofit of every outdoor lighting fixture and/or lamp on campus, each being painstakingly changed—with great attention to detail—to LED. More here.

The Wright Michigan Rental

Emily Bingham of MLive gives us an interesting list of unique rental properties in Michigan, and the list includes a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ann Arbor.

"Mid-century architecture lovers will lose their minds over this listing in Ann Arbor. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, known as the Palmer House, embodies all that the acclaimed American architect was known for: angular lines, organic design, seamless transitions to the natural environment outside. Bonus: You're just a short walk from Ann Arbor's scenic Nichols Arboretum, laced with hiking trails and home to North America's largest herbaceous heirloom peony garden. 3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms / sleeps 6 at $410/night." More here.

Remembering America's Lost Buildings

CNN reached out to five architecture professors and posed the following question: What's one American structure you wish had been saved? Sally Levine of Case Western Reserve University, writes that "From the rubble, a preservation movement is born."

"When I moved to Chicago in 1982, the Chicago Stock Exchange Building had long disappeared, but people still spoke of it with a hushed reverence. Not only was it considered one of the finest accomplishments of architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler, its demise also indirectly led to the tragic death of architectural photographer and preservation activist Richard Nickel, who lost his life snapping photographs of the structure during its demolition."

Built in 1893, the 13-story structure housed the stock exchange for just 14 years. Subsequently the building had a variety of tenants, but leases became fewer and farther between, until the City Council approved its demolition in 1972. Read more.

American System-Built House For Sale In Madison

George Hall sends word that a newly-identified American System-Built home by Frank Lloyd Wright in Madison, WI has hit the market for $800k. Check out the listing with lots of photos here.

Taliesin Plein Air

Graciously aligning with Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, the arts, land stewardship, and education, Taliesin Plein Air is a celebration of beauty under the umbrella of Wright’s design, bringing together 29 regional artists from the Midwest including Wisconsin and Iowa.

Building upon prior Taliesin plein air events and workshops over the past decade, Taliesin Preservation will host regional artists renowned for their work en plein air, for a week-long painting event on the 800-acre Taliesin estate. During the week, artists will be free to paint any outdoor subject or setting within the boundaries established on the private estate, culminating with a Buyers’ Reception and Quick Paint Off-the-Easel for artists to showcase a selection of paintings for purchase. Income generated from the week-long event will directly support the artistic, cultural and educational programs that breathe life into the buildings.

Plein air painting is a popular and interpretive approach to learning from nature – also at the root of influence for Frank Lloyd Wright. Fused with the iconic architecture at Taliesin are patchworks of organic farmland, restored prairies, intimate waterways, stunning oak trees, orchards, gardens, vineyards, and collections.

On the evening of Friday, September 21, from 6-9 p.m., the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center will be transformed into an art gallery overlooking the Wisconsin River. Art lovers and collectors meet and mingle with the Taliesin Plein Air artists, and enjoy the first opportunity to purchase paintings created by each artist. All artwork is for sale and ready to go home that evening. The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a cash bar and Artists’ Choice Award. The following morning a two-hour Quick Paint Celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 22. This free event for all ages invites art enthusiasts to watch the featured artists paint on the Taliesin estate, followed by an Off-the-Easel Sale beginning at noon and People’s Choice Award, where the public will vote on their favorite painting. Food and beverage available for purchase. More info here.

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