Issue Apr 3rd 2024  April 3rd 2024

Flooding Closes WSU Building Designed By Wright

Wichita State University has temporarily closed one of its buildings after flooding. That building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. One of two located in Wichita, Kansas.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House was designed in 1916 and the Corbin Education Center at Wichita State University was designed in 1957. Corbin has been open since 1964 but now, it's closed. At least for the rest of the school year.

“We were devastated to hear about the damage to Corbin,” said Davis.

The university announced in a statement last Friday a chilled water line broke and flooded the basement of Corbin harming electrical and HVAC systems.

“There was no damage to the Frank Lloyd Wright designs. It’s all contained to the basement with the mechanicals, which unfortunately is causing the building to be closed but yes we were very relieved to hear that there was no damage to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed portions of the building,” said Davis.

All classes that took place in Corbin have had to relocate.

The earliest the building could reopen is September, but this is bad news for the Allen House as well.

“We were getting ready to start combination tours with the Allen House and the Corbin Education Center next month. We were planning to start that,” said Davis.

But those plans will have to wait. This year also marks the 60 year anniversary of the building, which was supposed to be celebrated this semester but those celebrations have been postponed until fall.

Click for more details: kake.com  

A New Vision For Taliesin West

Following restoration projects in 2021, Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s snowbird home and studio near Scottsdale, Arizona, is once again slated for updates. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which is headquartered there, has hired design firm Sasaki to create a holistic vision for the future of the grounds.

Sasaki, known for its dynamic landscape design projects such as the Boston City Hall Plaza renovation and the Chicago Riverwalk (in partnership with Ross Barney Architects), will develop new strategies surrounding preservation and sustainability for the historic landmark. According to Sasaki, the plan will, "examine the impact of climate change on these sensitive plant communities and prioritize sustainable design practices that reduce the site’s impact on the surrounding ecosystem." The firm will also create a plan for new public engagement initiatives.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s prairie-style buildings are, as he once said, "married to the ground." An homage to the long horizon lines of the Midwest, his low-slung Prairie homes speak to the region’s vastness. At Taliesin West, he crafted a similar naturalistic compound that spoke to the Sonoran desert. The site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, alongside eight other of the Wright’s buildings.

Click for more details: dwell.com  

Don't Miss This Upcoming Photography Workshop

This October, dive deeper into photography while exploring two beautifully designed Frank Lloyd Wright homes and a world renowned Japanese Garden in Illinois.

Under the guidance of professional photographer Andrew Pielage, this exclusive, all access workshops promises an enriching experience to take your photography to the next level. Participants should have a fully manual DSLR camera and be familiar with using Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, and Adobe Lightroom Classic to make the most of this photographic adventure.

Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House: Wright's only accessible home design, the Laurent House, offers a treasure trove of photographic opportunities. With full access before and after public hours, participants can meticulously capture the clean lines, unique features, and original furnishings of this architectural gem. Pielage's guidance will provide valuable insights into composition, lighting, and post-processing techniques to ensure that participants can effectively convey the essence of Wright's design philosophy through their images.

Fred B Jones Penwern Estate: The Penwern Estate, with its early Wright designs and sprawling grounds, presents a captivating subject for photography. Participants will have the chance to explore the estate's four different Wright designs and experiment with various compositions to showcase Wright's evolving style. From the intricate details of the architecture to the picturesque boathouse, Pielage will offer expert guidance on how to capture the estate's unique character and historical significance.

Anderson Japanese Garden: Amidst the vibrant fall colors, the Anderson Japanese Garden provides a serene and visually stunning backdrop for photography. Participants will have early access to the garden, allowing them to capture the morning light as it illuminates the garden's tranquil landscapes. Pielage will assist participants in composing compelling shots that highlight the garden's natural beauty, from the winding pathways to the tranquil ponds and lush foliage. Participants will learn how to effectively use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings to capture the essence of the garden's atmosphere and ambiance.

The workshop includes all meals and lodging for the weekend so what are you waiting for? Space is limited so sign up soon!

Click for more details: apizm.com  

Douglas Cardinal: The Language Of Organic Architecture TSOA Event

TSOA presents Douglas Cardinal: The Language Of Organic Architecture - Designing Learning Spaces That Touch The Human Spirit on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5:30PM in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's part of TSOA's 2023-24 Event Series, Shapes of Pedagogy, which explores the spaces, structures and practices of experimental pedagogy in architectural education.

For Douglas Cardinal, Organic Architecture is the discipline that creates spaces that come from the heart and touch the soul. Following his Indigenous teachings and Western masters such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Douglas Cardinal’s organic architectural process aims to manifest an ode to Mother Earth’s values, and the nurturing power of engendering creativity. Douglas Cardinal will share his unique Western and Indigenous education that has allowed him to blend the principles of Organic Architecture into his own signature style. He will showcase three projects to illustrate this point: St. Mary’s Project (1968), the National Museum of the American Indian (1998, 2004), and Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre for the University of Saskatchewan (2016). * Shown in photo.

The Speaker:

Born in 1934 in Calgary, Alberta, his architectural studies at the University of British Columbia took him to Frank Lloyd’s School of Architecture at Taliesin West, and to the School of Architecture at The University of Texas at Austin, Texas where he graduated with honours in 1963. His Western academic training corresponded with intense Indigenous teachings at Small Boys Camp and Wyoming. Following the blending of these two worldviews, Douglas Cardinal is a forerunner of all philosophies of sustainability, green buildings, and ecologically designed community planning. Indeed, his Organic Architecture springs from his observation of Nature and the understanding that everything works seamlessly together. His master plans for Indigenous communities and concept for Indian Control of Indian Education in the early 1970s brought early Indigenous schools such as Kehewin Elementary School and Diamond Jenness High School in Hay River which led to the First Nations University, and Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Perhaps best known for designing the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC, we cannot forget the smaller but pivotal Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in the Village of Ouje-Bougamou also designed by Douglas Cardinal. The major buildings of his early career in Alberta are extraordinary examples of organic architecture, namely the iconic St Mary’s Church, Grande Prairie College, the Alberta Government Services Building in Ponoka, Saint Albert Place, and Telus Science Museum. Also blending the best of Indigenous and Western approaches to architecture are his health centers, Meno-ya-win Hospital, Wabano Aboriginal Health Centre, and Goodyear Adelante Healthcare Center in Arizona.

In recognition of his visionary contribution to architecture, Douglas Cardinal has received many acknowledgments and awards including twenty-one Honourary Doctorates from several universities in Canada and the United States, the appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada, Gold Medals in Architecture by the Royal Architectural Institute in Canada, and the Union of Architects of Russia, honourary fellowships in the Society of American Registered Architects and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, the nomination of Commander of the Order of the Civil Merit by the King of Spain, Felipe VI, and the declaration of being "World Master of Contemporary Architecture" as a Professor and Academician by the International Association of Architects. Douglas Cardinal was also an early recipient of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and is a deeply respected member of the Indigenous community as an Elder, Pipe Carrier, Lodge Keeper, and Eagle Headdress-Carrier of the Blackfoot Confederacy. Douglas Cardinal continues his holistic multidisciplinary architectural practice in Ottawa, Ontario where he currently resides with his wife and partner Idoia Arana-Beobide.

Thursday, April 25, 2024 :: 5:30PM

Cattle Track Arts Gallery 6105 N Cattletrack Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85250

1 AIA CE credit‍

Click for more details: tsoa.edu