Issue 95 May 2nd 2018

The Headlines

Five Cool Things About the Design Of Graycliff

The Buffalo News has an article featuring Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff. As the complex prepares for the opening of its 2018 public tour season, Graycliff Conservancy Executive Director Robert Wooler led a tour of the site. It is undergoing the final phase in a $7 million restoration process slated to be completed next year. Graycliff opens for the season April 30. Visitors can take three tours of varying length and complexity: A basic, 1-hour tour; a 2-hour tour focused on the ongoing restoration work at the site; and a 3-hour master architectural tour that delves into the nuts and bolts of Wright's design. Read more.

State Architects Tour Rosenbaum House

Members of Alabama's chapter of the American Institute of Architects toured the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Rosenbaum House at the conclusion of a weekend-long design road trip and annual meeting in the Shoals.

Constructed in 1939, it remains the only Frank Lloyd Wright home in Alabama. As they moved from room to room, the architects marveled at the flow of the house and open floor plans. "I've known about Frank Lloyd Wright and his principles," Jennifer Thorington-Hines, principal at EDT-THA Architects, in Birmingham, said. "Walking through this space, it all comes together. The compression and expansion in these places is amazing." Read more.

Drive Nears End to Retire Bradley House's Mortgage

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed B. Harley Bradley House, 701 S. Harrison Ave., Kankakee, IL, is nearing a critical point as supporters close out a drive to raise $1.7 million to “retire the mortgage.”

Architect Robert G. Bohlmann, volunteer executive director of Wright in Kankakee, recently sat down with the Daily Journal to speak about the fundraising drive and other matters related to the historic home. He accepts no pay while the site works to retire its mortgage. Read more.

Inside the Renovation Of Wright’s Robie House

After years of research, $3 million, and a weeks-long process just to apply plaster, Frank Lloyd Wright's Hyde Park masterpiece will soon return to his original interior vision. Designed and constructed during the first decade of the twentieth century, the Robie House is not only viewed as defining example of the Prairie School movement, but one that helped to shape American architecture ushering in the modern era of design. Its restoration, led by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust in partnership with preservation architect Gunny Harboe, will ensure that the landmark house can be studied and enjoyed by future generations. Read more.

Second Floor Of Martin House Is Now Open For Viewing

Buffalo Rising informs us that the second floor of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House is once again open for viewing after being closed off to the public for the last phase of the landmark’s interior restoration. Rooms located on the second floor of the house include Martin family bedrooms, a guest suite of rooms, servants’ quarters, and a sewing room. This newly opened floor will be available for viewing on Martin House Plus (two-hour) tours, and on certain specialty tours, such as "All Wright All Day." These tours will also spotlight Wright-designed built-in furniture, and some of his sensational glass work. Read more.

The Profound Impact Of The Pappas House

The Theodore and Bette Pappas house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of only two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes in the St. Louis area, the house is the only Usonian Automatic in Missouri. Wright worked on plans for the house from 1955 until his death in 1959. The couple broke ground on their home in 1960, and construction took four years. Today, Wright’s original design and finishes remain intact. The great room features a combined living and dining room with red concrete floors and rich Philippine mahogany trim and furniture designed by the architect. A terrace room with glass doors looks out over the 3.364 acre grounds.

Theodore Pappas died in 2004, and Bette in February 2018. Their surviving children, Candace, Charisse, and Cynthia, have decided to sell the family home for the first time. It is now listed on Wright on the Market.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is invested in finding a preservation-minded buyer for the house. “Any time a Wright-designed house is listed for sale it’s a unique opportunity for a new owner to care for the house into the future,” says Barbara Gordon, executive director of the Conservancy. “Finding new stewards who understand and appreciate Wright’s buildings is crucial to their preservation.” Read more.

Wright Site Directors Gather at Wingspread

37 participants representing 33 Wright sites and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy gathered for the Wright Site Directors Summit at "Wingspread," March 26-28, 2018. The Johnson Foundation generously provided all meeting facilities, hospitality, meals, and lodging. The Conservancy’s Public Sites Committee and chair Scott Perkins selected the speaker lineup based on an open call for proposals. Topics ranged from practical matters such as the best LED light bulbs to use for increased energy efficiency, conducting tours for people with disabilities, keeping house museums financially stable, to case studies of innovative marketing techniques and unique events. Read more.

2018 Modernism in America Awards

As another edition of the Docomomo US Modernism in America Awards has come to a close, the non-profit group announced 13 winners of the 2018 awards competition, which distinguished outstanding restoration projects that demonstrate high levels of design expertise and commitment to historic preservation. Winners are also acknowledged for their grassroots efforts and public and private partnerships.

Among the winners, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Unity Temple won the Special Award of Restoration Excellence featuring the restoration team of Harboe Architects, PC (Restoration Architects), Project Management Advisors, Inc. (Project Management), Berglund Construction Company (Contractor) for the Client UTP, LLC.

“Unity Temple is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s greatest works. It is a National Historic Landmark and is included as one of the ten Key Works of Modern Architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright nominated to the World Heritage list." On behalf of the jury, architect Eric Keune commented: “This is a comprehensive restoration of one of the canonical and pioneering works of American modern architecture. It allows future generations to not only use, but learn from, and see this building as it was originally designed by Wright.” See the list of winners Here.

Tour Wright's Muirhead Farmhouse For A Good Cause

The Central Music Boosters are proud to invite the community and Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts to experience the Muirhead Farmhouse, a little-known piece of architectural history as a fundraiser to support the performing arts in Central School District 301.

The Frank Lloyd Wright designed Muirhead Farmhouse is the only farmhouse designed and built during Wright’s lifetime. It is surrounded by nearly 800 acres of restored, tall grass prairie. The interior offers numerous built-ins, fireplaces and window walls that usher in light and offer panoramic views.

Tours of the Muirhead Farmhouse will be held on Sunday, May 20th from 1 – 5 pm for the admission price of $25 per person. In addition, there will be entertainment provided by music students from Central schools and refreshments available for purchase. The Muirhead Farmhouse is located at 42W814 Rohrsen Road in Hampshire Illinois, approximately one hour northwest of Chicago. For more information and to purchase tickets go here.

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