Wright Chat

Isn't Kathryn Smith's book on Hollyhock the authoritative history on the entire project? It's a shame the block was butchered, but I'm grateful for the land that does exist as public space. I look forward to seeing the restored director's house next time I'm in LA.

What I'd like to know is the backstory of this project. Clearly it was a lark....right? A means to gain some attention and publicity? Did Wright wake up one morning and tell the boys, "I got a great idea. This will really knock everyone out of their sock. A mile high tower!" I assume he then assigne...

Thanks for the references...just what I needed. I had thought this quote happened at some party or gathering. I've always thought such an event...with Wright, Johnson, and other notable...set in the glass house, would make a great play.

I've heard a number of variations on what Wright said to Johnson upon entering the Glass House: “Phillip, am I in or out? Do I take my hate off or leave it on?”

Is there any way to track down the most authoritative quote?

Anyone know much about the Post WWII advent of huge plate glass windows? Many Case Study homes had floor to ceiling glass. I don't recall many pre-war examples of this. Was plate glass a WWII innovation the moved from military to civilian use? What were the largest windows Wright designed?

I have that book. Those pictured buildings above aren't in it and I can't imagine they are works by Olsen. Apparently he was committed to early modernism throughout his career, never wavering. So think flat roofs and stucco and Neutra style boxes in white.

I worked at the Getty when this was being produced via Luna imaging. I always thought the price point was insane. I believe the intended market was college architecture programs. There was a sort of consumer priced version put out my Microsoft at the time.

I'm unfamiliar with this house. Does it still exist?

A question about the Bircher House:

What is the history of dividing a wall of horizontal siding with regularly spaced vertical mullions? Is this a purely Japanese tradition? Is there any structural rationale, or is this purely decorative...reinforcing the grid?

Still doesn't give me the why. Why did "talks break down." What's the key issue?

Read the article, but didn't glean what the issue was. Not enough attendance/money?

I've always wanted the Getty, with it's pot of money, to acquire notable works of architecture in LA and maintain them. They are works of art.

Thanks for the clarification and the other references.

The find the presence of stairs in whatever form rather odd. Why bother? Why not just one level throughout?

The CG renderings are pretty amazing. Many features jump out. Fro example, a low wall of brick with boards inset above it.

I haven't seen many interior corridors in Wright's work before. I also found the steps up (and back down?) to the bedroom wing a bit unusual.

Wright always said his compositions weren't symmetrical but were balanced. Not sure how that is determined, but I always believe the Usonians have a taller compact mass (living room/kitchen/fireplace), then a shorter elongated mass (bedrooms). I've always wondered if you "weighed" each mass if the w...