Issue 136 February 13th 2019

The Headlines

PennDesign Partners With Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

The Graduate Program in Historic Preservation at the School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania has entered into a five-year collaborative research agreement with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to assist in activities leading to the study and preservation of Taliesin and Taliesin West. The partnership will allow students and faculty to engage in graduate studios, internships, seminars, and theses on topics related to the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Led by Frank Matero, a professor of architecture and the chair of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation and director of The Center for Architectural Conservation, the partnership will advance the conservation and management of Wright’s built legacy by exploring the full range of design and conservation issues associated with his work and his long legacy of experimentation at both Taliesin—the home, studio, school, and 800-acre agricultural estate of Wright in Spring Green, Wisconsin—and Taliesin West, the architect’s winter home and school outside Scottsdale, Arizona.

The first research program to be undertaken through the new partnership will address the conservation of Taliesin West, a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains. More here.

From Hand To Hearth: Mosaic Fireplaces Of The Arts And Crafts Era

Known as "The most important weekend of the year for Arts & Crafts collectors," the 32nd National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, is February 15 - 17, 2019. Of the many interesting events that are scheduled, we've highlighted the seminar: "From Hand to Hearth: Mosaic Fireplaces of the Arts and Crafts Era" by Theodore Ellison on Sunday, February 17th, 10:00 - 11:00am.

The art of leaded glass mosaic design in the Arts & Crafts fireplace – especially in Prairie School homes – will be shown in this visual presentation. You’ll see color, beauty, and craftsmanship in the form of crafted fireplace design in Theodore Ellison’s presentation that shows how glass mosaics within fireplace design became important within the Arts & Crafts movement. More information here.

Bob Rummer's Cool Midcentury Modern Homes

Oregon Portlanders who appreciated Frank Lloyd Wright's later work and developer Joseph Eichler's atrium-centered homes in California instantly understood the appeal of soaring living rooms with see-through sliding doors that opened to patios.

Architecture and housing experts credit Bob Rummer with creating modern homes for middle-class families. Historians can't quit nail down how many modern homes Rummer built in the Portland metro area; some estimate a few hundred, while others say he was responsible for 700 to 750 housing units in Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Clackamas, Gresham, and other places, counting his traditional-style houses. Bob Rummer will tell you he built 1,000 homes. See the photos by proud homeowners here.

Interpreters Sought To Lead Frank Lloyd Wright Tours

If you’ve got a bit of spare time, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust is once again seeking volunteers to lead tours at Wright’s architectural masterpiece, the historically restored Frederick C. Robie House in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, as well as at two iconic properties in Oak Park: the Home & Studio at 951 Chicago Ave. and Unity Temple, 875 Lake St.

Volunteers carry out the mission of the organization, which is to engage the public in educational and aesthetic experiences to foster an appreciation of architecture, design and the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright, said Linda Bonifas-Guzman, volunteer resources manager for the Trust.

Tour guides are called “interpreters” because aside from leading guests through the site they are interpreting what people see and giving a perspective on the space rather than reciting from a script, said Bonifas-Guzman. Enrollment for spring interpreter training sessions is now underway. However, there are a also a variety of other volunteers opportunities available, too.

For more information and to apply, visit flwright.org/volunteer, or contact Linda Bonifas-Guzman at lguzman@flwright.org or 312-994-4045. More here.

Save The Date: Wright In Idaho

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is announcing that after a successful, sold-out event in 2016, the Conservancy will return to Idaho June 22-23 for a special event at Teater’s Knoll (1952). The owner of the rarely opened, beautifully restored house in Bliss will conduct a personal tour, followed by a gourmet dinner. The next day includes a tour of several private houses in the Sun Valley area. Attendance is limited. More information will be forthcoming. Become a member of the FLWBC here and be sure to get more info when its available.

Schweikher's Long Lane Farm For Sale

Paul Schweikher's Long Lane Farm in Tryon, North Carolina (1949) is for sale for $1.6 million and is a stunning example of the architect's explorations using USONIAN design principles established by Frank Lloyd Wright. The main house was designed to make the most of the views with wall to wall windows along that side. Check out several photos of this MCM gem and download a PDF of an 1952 Architectural Record article on the house here.

USC Faces Criticism For Freeman House Thefts

Last week the news broke about the theft and subsequent cover-up of important Frank Lloyd Wright and RM Schindler-designed furniture from Wright's Freeman house in Los Angeles. Curbed LA did a little more reporting on the University of Southern California's stewardship of the historic architecture under its care and the mounting criticism of the University. Read more of the story here.

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