Wright Chat

Well, two things catch my eye, in these newer photos by Nancy Nolan Photography. First is the setting and landscape: A conscious decision to present the house as a mid-century American residence, facing an imaginary street across a lawn bisected by a prosaic concrete path (one recalls Jacques Tati), and backed by a protective wood close at hand, seems to have been made. Was there a curator involved with this project ?

The second is the floor slab, which may have been the result of a lack of communication -- at least. For the first time in a Usonian, to my knowledge, we have what appear to be separate concrete units separated by unpainted grout (!), rather than a continuous tinted and scored slab. Will wonders never cease. The surface texture leaves something to be desired, perhaps -- but that's less of a surprise. Maybe there's nothing on the SDS to prohibit this interpretation ?

SDR

Frank Lloyd Wright House to Open Next Month at Crystal Bridg - [0:14]

Crystal Bridges and Frank Lloyd Wright Connection - [0:49]


David

The house looks great. Especially interesting are the photos of the bedrooms, which were not available when FLWBC toured the house in 2002. The living room is amazing. This is FLW in full bloom, a house for a family of modest means with all the magic of the bigger, flashier houses. Bachman/Wilson (along with Penfield, Boulter and the several unbuilt versions) is one of the finest small houses of the Usonian era.

It's unfortunate that the fireplace had to be bricked up, and I don't like the approach walk or the bench, otherwise this salvation passes with flying colors.

I suggested that they add a Steinway grand piano to the living room like the one that was there originally. Chandra Wilson told me they had recitals and people sat on the long bench and around the living room.

Scott Eccleston said they would consider it after they see how the house accommodates the public. You could always bring one in for special occasions, musicales.

The Bachman-Wilson House at Crystal Bridges: A slideshow


David

I don't understand what was done to the fireplace -- or why. Anyone ?

SDR

I do not believe anything was "done" to the fireplace. If you look at the New Jersey photo of the fireplace in the "Frank Lloyd Wright House is Built Anew…" article, you will see the original, with a fire screen, and clearly see the shape of the fireplace structure. Knowing this, look very carefully at the Arkansas rebuild and you can see it is indeed the same shape, hard to discern in the new photos and flat lighting and the angle at which the picture is taken. Our view is also confused by the light color of the firebrick, an issue with Mr. Wright that Loren Pope (if I remember correctly) discusses in the monograph on the Pope- Leighey house. Hopefully, they will actually burn fires in the fireplace which will tone down the yellow brick - and/or replace the fire screen.

Perhaps a bit of cosmetic soot would bring the thing into balance ?

https://themodernhouseblog.files.wordpr ... 3/03/3.gif

SDR

I see my error. The firebrick is almost level with the chimney brick on one side, but the left side extends out, supporting the hood. Everything is OK. Just that approach walk and the odd bench.

Home of the Week: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House

Different view of the fireplace


David

Thanks. That's a nice photo. Compare to the interior photo I linked just above, for a before-and-after . . .

The wealth of photos in the linked article provide much to enjoy. Two diagonal exterior shots, very near the end, are a great contrast -- one like an everyday snapshot, the other carefully rearranged with parallax correction.

I still don't know how the floor slab could have been misconceived as a series of separately-poured squares, with gray grout ! The gray will disguise the dust that collects between vacuumings, as in every other Usonian slab ?

SDR

That simple curve in the entry walkway is compounded! Looks even worse from afar. Otherwise, great job. I like the design of the dining chairs. They actually look comfortable.

Yes. One of them is a bit uncomfortably close to the fire ? But then, the occupant of that chair couldn't see those seated at the far opposite end of the table, so it might not be used during a full-house dinner party, anyway.

That handsome chair is also seen at the Melvyn Smith residence.

There are so many nice spots throughout the house. Views of the kitchen and bedrooms are a new treat. The dark counter material is attractive.

SDR

Was either the Foundation or the Conservancy involved in any way with the move and reconstruction of the house ? Is there a lesson to be learned from this example, in re the input and (if necessary) control of any similar projects in the future ?

SDR

When I was at the recent Conservancy conference in Milwaukee there was a presentation about the ongoing attempts to save the Lamp House in Madison, Wisconsin. As part of the presentation, one member of a local ad-hoc committee that was put together in an attempt to save the house stated that the first thing the committee agreed upon was that moving the house would not be considered, at all. In the meantime, the house itself has apartment buildings and other commercial developments being built all around it, effectively closing it off. Those at the conference who spoke about the situation talked over and over again about trying to save the view-shed which, back in the day, supposedly allowed a view from the top of the Lamp House to two nearby lakes. The problem is that today with the current and proposed developments being built all around the Lamp House, as well as other development over the years, that view-shed is long gone.

In holding so fast and true to a 'zero move tolerance policy', things may end up like a situation I remember back in the 1970's when Atlantic City, New Jersey was being developed. As casinos were buying up property along the beach area certain homeowners held out for more money as home values in the area increased. Eventually all but one homeowner sold land to a particular casino. But this one woman decided that she was going to hold out and ask for a very high price. After a long amount of negotiations didn't resolve the situation, the casino decided to build around her and leave the house in place. Soon the house was surrounded by the casino without views of anything else and its value was worthless at this point.

The Lamp House is currently privately owned and the owner has offered the house to be moved (though, I don't know the terms of the offer) . There are around 10 or so examples of Wright homes successfully being moved to new locations. I'm sorry that the ad-hoc committee has ruled out any possibility of a move. To me, the choice of the Lamp House being surrounded by high-rises vs. the possibility of it being moved to a new location (assuming all the details and finances could be worked out agreeably) is no choice at all.


David