Frank Lloyd Wright's house in danger!
Crowdfunding to restore architectural iconImages via Spring House Institute
|
How can we stand and watch an iconic work of one of the most famous and acclaimed architects of all times fall into ruin?
This question led to the indignation of many architects, enthusiasts and other personalities related the history of this project, to create the Spring House Institute in order to acquire, restore and complete the Spring House - the only house in Florida designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built during his lifetime.
This historic, cultural and architectural treasure, hidden in the Tallahassee woods, is part of this famous architect’s legacy, along with some of the world's most famous buildings, such as Fallingwater house (1936) or the Guggenheim Museum in New York (1959).
Designed in 1952 and completed in 1954, the Spring House is part of a series of eclectic houses from a late period in Wright’s work, often referred to as the “hemicycle period".
As most of this architect’s works, this house is characterized by its passive solar architecture, taking advantage of solar gains, natural ventilation and thermal inertia to optimize space comfort with no need for energy consumption for climate control. A real sustainability lesson coming from the 50’s.
Its unconventional shape allied with its materials natural colors and textures establish a close bond with the site, dialoguing with the surrounding nature. Every space, every window, every piece of furniture was designed to the detail seeking to reflect balance, a perfect harmony between man and nature. The link between interior and exterior allows maximizing natural light and surrounding beauty, taking advantage of these elements in each space living experiences, in its resident’s family routines.
Despite been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in the 70s, today the house finds itself abandoned, badly damaged and with its constructive principles integrity seriously compromised, listed in America's 11 most endangered historic places.
The Spring House Institute has just launched a crowdfunding campaign at Indiegogo to raise funds to acquire the property and ensure its preservation and public use. Since 1996 this organization has made some serious efforts in this sense by promoting different events that gathered the support of many volunteers, architecture enthusiasts and personalities related to the house’s history.
The aim is to restore the house and open it to the public, to host classes, musical events, poetry readings, community meetings, seminars, and other activities associated with the arts, the environment, world peace, and social justice.
“If you foolishly ignore beauty, you’ll soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you wisely invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.” Frank Lloyd Wright
As well as helping financially, it is important to spread this campaign so that we can save this architectural masterpiece, an important part of the legacy from one of the greatest architects ever.
Let’s contribute and help to spread the word on this campaign!
