Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Frank Lloyd Wright's College-- Part 1

I am a huge fan of the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and one day would like to make a trip to sites of his work.

One of his least known works is located in the buildings of Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Until it was listed in the 2007 100 most endangered sites by the World Monument Fund, I was unfamiliar with it. Lakeland is about 50 miles southwest of Orlando.

His idea for the college was "The Child of the Sun" and his "organic" buildings were constructed between 1939 and 1958. Back in 2007, they were endangered, but according to the article in the February 21st Panama City News Herald, things are vastly improving on campus and it would appear that the structures are out of danger.

This is the only college he designed and the largest collections of his buildings in one place.

In 1950, Wright said, "The architecture represents the laws of harmony and rhythm. It's organic architecture and we have seen little of it so far. It's like a little green shoot growing through the concrete."

"Campus restoration revives Wright's vision."

More to Come. --Cooter

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