Frank Lloyd Wright Palmer House
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
Winter is a great time to bunker down and dream of vacation plans. There are many architecturally significant homes to rent if you are willing to plan ahead. One such gem worth the trip is the Frank Lloyd Wright Palmer House. Located in Ann Arbor Michigan, this uniqe three bedroom, two bath home has furniture designed by Frank himself. Now, I know that is a tradmark one might expect, but in the case of the Palmer House, you might recall that the building has no 90 degree corners. This, as you might imagine provided opportunity for some interesting and dynamic interior solutions. Take a peek.
If you are interested in renting the Palmer House, it is available for rent year round at Boutique Homes.
Tags: Ann Arbor Michigan, architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, interior design, Palmer House, Vacation Rentals
David and Gladys Wright House
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
Big news on the Historic Preservation status of the David and Gladys Wright House. Located in Pheonix and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son David and his wife Gladys in the early 1950′s, it is an important piece of architectural history. When David passed away in 1997, Gladys lived in the home until her death in 2008. Then the home was sold by Wright family members to a developer. The home was slated for demolition until Historic Preservationists challenged its fate, and began proceedings to gain historic status designation. Listed for sale in October, the Associated Press reports that the current owners have reached an agreement to sell the early 1950s home to a buyer who wants to preserve and restore it. A definite win-win.
Excerpts sourced at: http://seattletimes.com via http://curbed.com
Images sourced at: http://midcenturymodernlove.com
Tags: architecture, David and Gladys Wright House, Frank Lloyd Wright, Historic Preservation, interior design
Long Island Modernism
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
Long Island has a rich history of modern architectural gems. Who knew? When I lived in NY, I would make a Sunday afternoon of it; hunting down a modernist classic tucked away in a unsuspecting neighborhood. A few historic structures remain, but sadly many have been torn down, or fundamentally altered.
In her new book Long Island Modernism: 1930–1980, author Caroline Rob Zaleski has thoughtfully explored and documented the modern architecture of this region. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the author explains the source of her intrigue: ‘Numerous architecture stars used parts of Long Island as a sort of laboratory. Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Mies van der Rohe all built there, and even contemplated a plan to re-establish their Bauhaus school on Long Island after relocating to the U.S. from Nazi Germany. Many other notable homes and buildings conceived for corporate and public use were conceived by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Richard Meier and I.M. Pei, among many others.
Image: Philip Johnson’s Robert and Mary Leonhardt House, Lloyd Neck, 1954-56
Image: 1969 – The Renny B. and Ellin Saltzman House, East Hampton, NY.
Tags: architecture, Caroline Rob Zaleski, Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, interior design, Long Island, Long Island Modernism, Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe, Richard Meier, Richard Neutra, Walter Gropius
The Schweikher House
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under House Tours, Musings
There is a little known modern architectural gem in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Schweikher House was designed by Robert Paul Schweikher (1903–1997). The home and studio was built in 1937–38. Located on a farm field just outside Chicago, ‘the house staked its own distinctive position in the world of Prairie School evolution, international modernism, and Wright’s yet-to-be-defined/built Usonian invention.’ Influenced by the simplicity of Japanese architecture, ‘the Schweikher house is unique for its time—mid-century Modern before such a term existed.’
Schweikher’s successful career included training at the Art Institute of Chicago, work with David Adler’s practice, and a role as chairman of the Yale School of Architecture. Clean lines and well detailed architecture of the home, paired with an abundance of wood throughout the space, creates a uniquely warm yet modern aesthetic.
The Schweikher House is the only listing on the National Register of Historic Places in Schaumburg, Illinois. If you are interested in supporting preservation efforts at the Schweikher House, contact The Schweikher House Preservation Trust. The home is privately owned, but tours are available. Take a look at the Schweikher House website for more information, and history about this gorgeous dwelling.
Tags: architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, Illinois, interior design, Modernism, National Register of Historic Places, Robert Paul Schweikher, Schaumburg, Schweikher House
Design for the young, and young at heart.
Posted by Cynthia | Filed under Musings
My three boys are always creating. Whether building robots from the contents of our recycling container, writing and recording music on garage band, or designing cities on sketch-up, there is an abundance of creative energy. One of their favorite building mediums is Lego. Not only can they create objects of their imagination, but they can now learn about architectural design.
I am equally as passionate about the Lego Architecture and Landmark series' which offers a unique opportunity to learn together. As we build famous landmark buildings such as Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Empire State Building, Seattle Space Needle, The White House and Rockefeller Center, we are reviewing the included content on the designer of the building, the history of its development and design criteria and constraints.
The Architecture series presents the work of Frank Lloyd Wrights' Falling Water, and Guggenheim Museum. We have enjoyed these projects immensely. They are detailed, miniature versions of themselves. Exposure to these historic structures, in a way a child can participate in and relate to, provides a greater sense of the world around them and the power of design.
Tags: architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, Landmark buildings, Lego
