While at Graycliff, I bought a book for my grandson, Alex.
It is The Wright 3 by Blue Balliett. It's a mystery involving three 12 year olds and the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House, located in Chicago.
Of course, I had to read it, in case Alex wanted to discuss it. I think it's a great read, in the vein of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Harriet the Spy, and others of this genre.
I read about pentominoes, Fibonacci Numbers, The Invisible Man (book), Rear Window (movie) and lot of other stuff. I even had break a coded message.
If you have a child in this age range, I recommend this book.
Showing posts with label Frank Lloyd Wright. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frank Lloyd Wright. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Graycliff
Yesterday, we toured Graycliff, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed summer cottage on Lake Erie.
It seems large on the outside, but small on the inside. But, then again, it's a summer retreat and doesn't have to be large.
The building is in a state of disrepair and is undergoing restoration. To me the restoration represents a contradiction. Everything is being taken back as closely as possible to the way it was in 1928, when the house was built. This is in keeping with standard historical restoration practices.
My problem is this. Frank Lloyd Wright was an advocate of using the latest technology in his designs. In the spirit of his design philosophy, upgrades should be made using modern materials that maintain the integrity of the design, rather than the integrity of the materials.
This is not going to happen, but it's a thought.
Outside of the boundaries is a cinder block building that houses the gift shop and offices. I asked the tour guide if it would be stuccoed to match the house. He couldn't understand why they would do that. I said, "To maintain the design integrity of the grounds." He seemed to think that was an absurd idea and that it wouldn't happen.
I seem to by the odd man out here.
It seems large on the outside, but small on the inside. But, then again, it's a summer retreat and doesn't have to be large.
The building is in a state of disrepair and is undergoing restoration. To me the restoration represents a contradiction. Everything is being taken back as closely as possible to the way it was in 1928, when the house was built. This is in keeping with standard historical restoration practices.
My problem is this. Frank Lloyd Wright was an advocate of using the latest technology in his designs. In the spirit of his design philosophy, upgrades should be made using modern materials that maintain the integrity of the design, rather than the integrity of the materials.
This is not going to happen, but it's a thought.
Outside of the boundaries is a cinder block building that houses the gift shop and offices. I asked the tour guide if it would be stuccoed to match the house. He couldn't understand why they would do that. I said, "To maintain the design integrity of the grounds." He seemed to think that was an absurd idea and that it wouldn't happen.
I seem to by the odd man out here.
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