Article: New visitor's center planned for Home & Studio

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Wed Aug 28, 2019 4:37 pm

National Trust Strongly Opposes Demolition Proposal by Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

David

outside in · Post by **outside in** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:43 pm

it appears that the only people who support this mistake are the home and studio. It will be interesting to see if the Village Board will overlook multiple objections from extremely credible organizations and over-ride the HPC denials.

outside in · Post by **outside in** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:59 pm

here's how clueless they really are:

Ã¢â‚¬Å“The Trust understands that the commission is obligated to adhere to preservation ordinances, and we heard and are sensitive to the arguments of opponents to our plan at the commissionÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s special meeting,Ã¢â‚¬Â� said the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust in a statement Wednesday. Ã¢â‚¬Å“Our next steps are under consideration.Ã¢â‚¬Â�

The organization added that its plan does not put any Wright-designed buildings at risk.

What? No wright-designed buildings at risk? That's not the point! My God, tone deaf would be an apt description.

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 4:18 pm

Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio visitor center rejected by Oak Park officials

David

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Thu Aug 29, 2019 10:47 pm

FLW Trust strategy:
1866 farmhouse, a truncated version of the Anna Lloyd Wright House. Goodbye Anna Lloyd Wright.
1908 FLW Home and Studio.
2022 Visitor Center that has larger footprint the the Home and Studio. It has an extremely dominant presence in relation to the FLW Home and Studio.

None of those buildings ever existed together at any one point in time. The whole thing is an architectural zoo. Ersatz historic preservation is not historic preservation. The mindless strategy flies in the face of all historic preservation standards. It is no wonder that prominent preservation organization, historic preservation professors, neighbors, and Frank Lloyd Wright Homeowners all strongly oppose what the FLW Trust is proposing.

Matt2 · Post by **Matt2** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:51 am

What's the history of the Trust. They own the home/studio and Robie...right? But other than that there is no connection to the FLW Foundation at all...right?

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 9:56 am

The Trust was founded in the 70s specifically to address the restoration of the Home & Studio. Robie was a later acquisition. There is no formal connection between the Trust, Foundation or Conservancy.

Matt2 · Post by **Matt2** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 10:15 am

Thanks. If that's the case I'm a bit surprised the FLW Foundation lets them use the FLW name.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 11:02 am

https://flwright.org/aboutus

https://flwright.org/aboutus/boarddirectors

S

Reidy · Post by **Reidy** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 11:04 am

The Trust is responsible for the Robie restoration and tours program, and it may own some easements (e.g. windows, remodeling rights), but as far as I know the University of Chicago actually owns the real estate.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 1:14 pm

The Robie restoration appears by all accounts to be on a par with that accomplished at Martin---virtually above reproach ?

S

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 4:50 pm

SDR, same with H&S. An excellent restoration throughout. That's one reason its being compromised is such a tragedy.

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:26 pm

The restoration of Darwin Martin is notch above Robie. I have seen both. Robie is fine but wood stain is not accurate in my opinion.

JimM · Post by **JimM** » Sat Aug 31, 2019 12:29 pm

Good that reason prevailed in the end (if that's the case). Something like Paul Harding's alternative would appear a more than reasonable and appropriate "compromise" (and likely could have avoided the need for one). Paul: curious if you were ever approached for advice and if your solution to the program would have been obvious from the beginning? Of course, it's safe to say they would not have appreciated what you had to say or recommend.

It's abundantly clear the Trust was in corporate headquarter mode from the start, to the detriment and best interests of all concerned.

Oak Park Jogger · Post by **Oak Park Jogger** » Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:14 pm

As a long time Oak Park resident and a big FLW fan, my first impression of the proposed visitor center was "Great! Build it!" But after reflection, one of the really fascinating things about the Home and Studio (and the other Wright houses in Oak Park and River Forest) is the amazing contrast with the other houses in the neighborhood. So my preference would be to leave the other houses that face Chicago Avenue and keep that element of contrast and surprise, and tuck the badly needed visitor center onto the back of the property. A good architect ought to be able to come up with a plan!!!