Got a spare $2.7 million? FLW's Fawcett House for sale

Completed in 1961, the Fawcett House, by Frank Lloyd Wright is for sale. Located on 80 acres in Merced county, California, the price seems inviting. Also interesting is the choice to put it on the market right now. I've noted in the recent past that there are only three reasons for selling an asset right now: Death, Divorce, or Debt.

But then again, buyers in this space are likely a little less influenced by market gyrations... but that's just my theory.

At any rate, the realtor has done a nice job of showcasing the home, with MANY photos, etc. You can see the entire thing here.

The design is not of the Fallingwater type, but more of what Wright became well known for in his homes in the Ohio period of his career. In addition to being one of the seminal modernists, he was also heavily influenced by oriental designs that repeat over space, and an overall oriental aesthetic concept of space and how we interact with it.

And that is one of the reasons I love Wright's work, along with so many other architects if his time: he took great pains to design homes for and around the client, how they live, how they interact with the space in which they live, WHAT THEY WANT... all of these concepts are basically afterthoughts in today's residential architecture, a result of home builders who went away from building HOMES, and instead build SUBDIVISIONS, and our subsequent acceptance of this as being okay.

I feel a rant starting, so I'll stop.

But you should go take a look at that house. It's beautiful.

Some Lists:

Yesterday when I posted my crankery with regard to DirecTV, I was also going to post a random list of other things/people who bug the crap out of me. But the post was long, and the time short. Without further ado, then, here are some of those. See if you agree:

This bugs me to no end:

1. Girls (mostly) who drive and text message at the same time.
2. People who talk with their mouths full to overflowing. (This is the worst.)
3. People who slurp.
4. People who don't smell good, and yet have no idea.
5. People who tie up a golf course repeatedly thinking they can drive the green, or reach a five in two, when there is never any proof of such ability. Ever.
6. People who speed up in order to NOT let you in.
7. People who judge others too quickly, or do so using poorly chosen metrics.
8. 50 year olds who marry 14 year olds, and think that's okay.
9. People who are fine with offloading their jobs on other people.
10. People who ask you to do things, but don't give you enough information to do what has been asked of you.
11. People who write or speak poorly, even though it is part of their job to do so.
12. People who spend their entire lives living in negative mental space.

Flame if you will, that is your prerogative.

And speaking of lists, here are two more. I saw this a week or two ago, and thought it was such a great idea, that I would steal it for here. The premise is this: Name your dream golf foursome - with you as one of the players. However, I'm going to change it just a bit. Therefore, I present for your consideration, my two lists, naming those with whom I would most like to dine:

First list - people who are alive today:
1. Me
2. Jack Nicklaus - so I can ask him about his golf and business life.
3. Brad Pitt - so we can discuss architecture (I would set a place at the table-next to me-for his lovely wife. Pitt would be sitting ACROSS the table.... ) (bonus!)
4. Quincy Jones - so we can discuss music, but not Michael Jackson

Second list - people who are decidedly NOT alive:
1. Me - although I am not dead.
2. Luciano Pavarotti - I would love to learn everything about his life.
3. Leonardo Da Vinci - Artist, sculptor, inventor, architect - what more can one ask ?
4. Frank Lloyd Wright - I would ask him if he did indeed have an affair with Ayn Rand, which has been highly speculated upon. And many other things
5. Bonus Person: Miles Davis - I would like to get inside his head at about 1945.

So who's at YOUR dinner table??

And also, some of those ladies on Wayne and Garth's list up there are on my list too. Odd. And Kim Basinger, WHY WON'T YOU EVER RETURN MY PHONE CALLS??? You KNOW I'm calling you, it's hard to ignore 20 calls per day. Seriously. Just call me back.

The quick way to ruin a building

10 easy ways to ruin a building:

From this morning's local newspaper -












Dear Architect,

You probably listened to the building owner, but you should have told him to sit down, be quiet and LEARN something.

Sincerely,
Me.


What WAS a lovely bit of Prairie Style Architecture is easily ruined by placing 10 Greco-Roman Columns in the front. Wow.

I'm in awe. Shock and Awe.

In its unruined state, it is reminiscent of Wrights' Darwin Martin house, finished in 1905, with the brick being replaced with plate glass, something Wright helped pioneer way back when, with the Larkin Administration Building, in 1904, among others.

Back to some design thoughts:

Much of my design senses run deeply toward the Mid-Century Modern period. Mid-Century modern is an architectural, interior and product design form that generally describes post-war developments in modern design from roughly 1945 to 1965.

Mid-century architecture was a further development of Frank Lloyd Wright's principles of organic architecture combined with many elements reflected in the International and Bauhaus movements. Mid-century modernism, however, was much more organic in form and less formal than the International Style.

Scandinavian designers and architects were very influential at this time, with a style characterized by simplicity in design and natural shapes. Like many of Wright's designs, Mid-Century architecture was frequently employed in residential structures with the goal of bringing modernism into America's post-war suburbs. This style emphasized creating structures with ample windows and open floor-plans with the intention of opening up interior spaces and bringing the outdoors in.

From this style, one of the easiest next-steps is the style we refer to as "modern contemporary". Its openness recalls that of Mid-Century, but it makes a few adjustments, moving to very cool color schemes, and keeps the simple lines of its predecessor. Mod-Contemp eschews the linear lines in architecture, favoring curves and non parallel interiors. Variations of this style are often seen in larger, custom designed homes - at least in this area.

I often wonder if my Scandinavian ancestry and genetics draw me toward this particular design style. Having spent time there many years ago exposed me to it early on, but I wasn't very in tune with this sort of thing then, so I don't know. I do know it was the first time I had ever seen Bang & Olufsen in person, and I do remember how I felt then.

Because Mid Century was meant as a means to bring contemporary ideals to the regular suburbs, it can be found in the most unassuming places. There are a couple of wonderful examples in my neighborhood, and if they were somewhere else in this valley, they would be worth several times more than they are where they sit.

Often, Mid Century homes are renovated and refurbed to the point that it takes some creativity to see the original potential in the design, and that's too bad.

Anyway, WAY TOO MUCH TALK, not enough pictures. And you want pictures. You know you do.

So, here are some. First two from two homes designed by Richard Neutra, one of the movement's greatest:
















Here are some other random designs I've come across recently. The architect is Antonio Cardillo. The first three here are "The Ellipse House".

























































































Take a look at that staircase... it's like taffy in one of those electric taffy pulling machines... wonderful.

Although neither of these homes is something I would find myself buying, they serve to represent the idea of what can be accomplished when one spends the energy to analyze space and truly make it different.

As Promised: CHAIR PORN

In the world of architecture, there are many great architects, past and present, who also designed the furnishings for the homes they designed. Notable among them is of course frank Lloyd Wright, whom we have discussed at length on other occasions. (check the category tabs at the bottom of the post to check out the running set of post regarding FLW - how convenient...)

Anyway, here are some classics you have certainly seen before. Many of these have shown up in movies, on TV sets, and in some of the classic homes in your city, to be sure.

I've put a basic picture of the chair beside each, small, so it doesn't take up much room in this post, but you can click through to see it bigger if you want. I also put a larger picture of the chair, in its natural habitat, for drooling purposes.

I've sat in many of these chairs before - and I'd love to say I own ANY of them, but alas, such is not the case - yet.

EAMES BENT-PLYWOOD LOUNGE CHAIR
The LCW (Lounge Chair Wood) was hailed by Time Magazine as the Best Design of the 20th Century.

The Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chair (1946) has been referred to as the "most famous chair of the century," with a form that relates directly to the human body and holds no secrets as to how it succeeds technically. Low-slung, with an expertly crafted molded plywood seat and back, this chair cradles the user and features hardwood inner ply for durability.


GEHRY OUTDOOR
A Best of Show winner at Neocon 2004, Frank Gehry's latest contribution to the world of furniture design pays homage to his recent architectural feats. The four-piece Gehry Outdoor Collection (2004) is characterized by ultra-sculptural, monolithic forms that reference the heft and metallic fluidity of his recent Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. One can certainly see the similarities.


EAMES MOLDED PLASTIC ROCKER
The Eames Molded Plastic Rocker (1948), often known as the RAR (rocking armchair rod), was out of production for 30 years before being brought back with the blessings of the Eames Office. The iconic Eames wire base is set atop two maple runners for a smooth rocking motion that brings enjoyment to contract and residential settings.


LE CORBUSIER SLING CHAIR
Le Corbusier regarded traditional furnishings, with their structures hidden beneath wads of padding and upholstery, as relics of the past. With the studio's LC1 Chair (1928), the Le Corbusier furniture group stripped away all superfluity to create this sleek, elemental chair that is one of the signature classics of modern design.

LE CORBUSIER PETIT MODELE ARMCHAIR
The Le Corbusier group referred to their LC2 and LC3 collections as "cushion baskets" which they designed in 1928 as a modernist response to the traditional club chair. With cushions held in place without being tethered to the frame, the idea was to offer all the comfort of a padded surface while applying the elegant minimalism and industrial rationale of the International Style.


LE CORBUSIER CHAISE LONGUE
The LC4 Chaise Longue (1928), dubbed the "relaxing machine," is a lounge that mirrors the body's natural curves while appearing to float above its supports. A tubular bow-shaped frame holds a bed of fabric or hide atop a rectilinear steel base. The moveable frame adjusts along the base from upright to full recline with ease, anticipating later ergonomic furniture. The LC4 is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.


ARNE JACOBSEN SWAN CHAIR
Before the Swan Chair (1958), Arne Jacobsen's architecture and designs were shaped by an assumption of materials' natural ways of resisting. In other words, he could make them go only so far in becoming the structure he desired. With new technologies, however, the old rules no longer applied and he was able to shape fluid curves and single-piece molded shells. The Swan Chair is now made from polyurethane foam, but at the time, Jacobsen used Styropore to create its continuous shape. Designed for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, for which Jacobsen was the architect, the chair's swivel base permitted guests to spin in their seat, thus becoming active participants in the busy hotel atmosphere. Made in Denmark.


ARNE JACOBSEN EGG CHAIR
Arne Jacobsen designed the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, as well as many of the furnishings. For its busy lobby, he created the biomorphic Egg (1958) and Swan, which are believed to be the first swiveling upholstered chairs. For a public area, the handcrafted Egg Chair is unique in that sitters can swivel toward the conversation area or away from others if privacy is desired. A tilt mechanism allows for relaxed lounging and the high back and curving elements are reminiscent of a traditional wing chair. Together they cocoon the sitter in a single-piece molded shell that appears to hover over the floor. Almost 50 years after its design, the Egg Chair is still used in advertising, film and television as a symbol of sophisticated urbanism. Think Austin Powers here.


EAMES TRADITIONAL LOUNGE CHAIR
In continuous production since its introduction in 1956, the Eames Lounge Chair is widely considered one of the most significant designs of the 20th century. It was the culmination of Charles and Ray Eames' efforts to create a club chair using the molded plywood technology that they pioneered in the '40s. In Charles Eames' words, the vision was a chair with the "warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." The result has become the consummate lounge set, timelessly blending old-fashioned comfort and visionary modernism.


LUDWIG MIES VAN DER ROHE BARCELONA CHAIR
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Chair and Stool (1929), originally created to furnish his German Pavilion at the International Exhibition in Barcelona, have come to epitomize modern design. Mies van der Rohe designed the chair to serve as seating for the king and queen of Spain, while the stool was intended to accommodate their attendants. Still produced to his original specifications, this Barcelona is of quality fit for royalty.

Brutalist Architecture: Not What You Think

Here's your dose of architecture school for the day. Brutalist architecture sounds like something different than it is. The term Brutalist Architecture originates from the French béton brut, or "raw concrete", a term used by Le Corbusier to describe his choice of material. It grew out of the modernist and minimalist schools of thought, and was made into its own category by none other than Le Corbusier himself, and the most well known building is the Boston City Hall building.

The style involves repeating heavy geometrical patterns, usually using poured concrete for its main material. Usually the surface remains unfinished, leaving the impressions of the forms used to pour the concrete, usually wood - this leaves the impression of the grain on the exterior of the building.

Here's a picture of the Boston City Hall. If you have a creative mind, you can see influences here from Frank Lloyd Wright's very early Prairie styles in the repeated upper patterns, although FLW's patterns were often inspired by Japanese style, and used for natural light.















The other distinguishing feature of this style is that the utility of the building is shown on the outside. For example, you can tell where the Mayor's office is in the picture, or the City Council Chambers, etc, by looking at the OUTSIDE of the building.

The other major building associated with this style is the Hunstanton Secondary Modern School, in Norfolk. It is unique in that the water storage facilities for the school are prominently displayed on the outside of the structure, rather than being hid on the inside.

"But in its day (1949-54) it was revolutionary. A homage to the great German modernist architect Mies van der Rohe, its steel-frame construction with brick and glass panels was more like a factory. Wondering where to put the water tank on all those flat roofs, the Smithsons instead set it high on a freestanding tower like a heroic campanile."

Here is a picture of the school from the period:













While the style of this school doesn't match the pattern of main utilitarian spaces being visible from the outside, this building, designed by Smithson, is generally thought to belong to the Brutalist style because of its water tower.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled, time-wasting web surfing.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater as you've never seen it before

Apparently, I'm not the only FLW Nerd out there.

Check out the movie.

No, really, check it out, you won't be sorry. I'll wait right here.

A Frank Lloyd Wright renovation in Rye, NY

Here are some pictures from a VERY tasty renovation on a Rye, New York Frank Lloyd Wright home:

And one more:

Forgot to mention:

I lamented a while ago that I had to find out about the listing for sale of the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Utah from the pages of the uppity Architectural Digest magazine. I (finally) found more info on the web, at the Save Frank's Houses web site. I would link it, but it's hard to say how long that info would be up over there, so here it is anyway:

The Stromquist Residence (1958)
1289 E. Canyon Creek Drive
Bountiful, UT 84010

When Mr. Stromquist was a boy in Illinois he had an opportunity to hear Mr. Wright speak at a public gathering. Mr. Wright's style and philosophy made a lasting impression on the young Stromquist, so much so, that when it came time for the Stromquists to put down roots, they immediately thought of Mr. Wright to design a house for them. When Mr. Wright invited them to come to Spring Green in 1957 they were delighted. It was a meeting of kindred spirits and plans were soon generated to proceed.

The house design is based on a diamond module, best suited to take advantage of the spectacular site in the foothills of the majestic Wasatch Mountains. It offers everything that Mr. Wright treasured: seclusion, serenity, and unity. From its vantage point in a lush glade above the Valley of the Great Salt Lake it offers spectacular vistas across the valley and the mountains. In the evening the setting sun ignites the western sky.

The property is located on a ten-acre site at an altitude of 6,000 feet and consists of the main house, an office/laboratory/garage annex, a gardener's shed and a barn. The main house features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, semi-formal dining, laundry, utility room, two fireplaces, and two balconies. The living room is partially furnished with three origami chairs and built-in settees. New Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation-sanctioned area rugs, handmade in Nepal, grace the living room, entry hall, and study. The bathrooms are clad in granite; clerestory windows provide natural lighting. The master bedroom has its own fireplace and French doors that lead to a secluded balcony. The kitchen has granite work surfaces and backsplashes, a Bosch cook top/oven and a Subzero refrigerator. The two guestrooms are completely furnished. Heating is provided by a Wright-designed combined radiant/forced air system that utilizes two natural gas furnaces. The total square footage is 3,000.

In an ongoing effort to preserve and maintain the house, Mr. Stromquist authorized measures that will safeguard the property for years to come. His foresight in acquiring the adjoining parcels of land to the east and west will ensure that the unique setting of the house will not be compromised by encroaching developments. The property is minutes away from major transportation hubs, world class winter sport venues and summer activities.

$3,880,000

The house comes partly furnished, as Wright was famous for not only designing the house, but also the furnishings to accompany it. There are some origami chairs among the furnishings (Wright notes that he was indeed influenced by some eastern design techniques).

Here is the Google Earth jpg of the location - if you want to explore that with your own copy of google earth, plug in the address, leaving out the "east" from your entry.











Here are the rest of the pictures. If you want to see them bigger, just click them.






















Thank you for your patronage - I know you care.