America's Architectural Treasures: A Child of The Sun

Today, I'd like to take you on a tour of an architectural landmark campus, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designed by famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright...



Wright's vision was for Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, and the buildings and decorative elements designed by Wright, and later by his proteges, still feel every bit as contemporary as they did when executed in the last century...



Mr. Wright said the following about his vision for the campus design...



"Out of the ground...



"And into the light...






"A child of the sun..."



I had never realized just how interesting these buildings were until my husband and I took the time to walk on that campus for three hours one Saturday morning. Of course I was aware of Mr. Wright's world-wide acclaim...



He's probably America's most famous architect...



But while at first glance, they might look like any other contemporary structure...



After spending time there, the architectural elements began to make their presence known at every turn, particularly through a camera lens...



His vision captivated me by all it entails...



While Danforth Chapel, pictured above, has many interesting elements, probably the most famous building on the campus (and certainly the most photographed) is Annie Pfeiffer Chapel...



Students affectionately dubbed the metal work on top, "God's Bicycle Rack"...



Look at all of the interesting geometrical elements in his buildings, like rectangles...



And how they repeat...



Combined with 45 degree angles...







And concentric squares executed on the sides of the building, topped by metal work which, when examined, is comprised of a series of geometric shapes...



He didn't forget concentric triangles, either, the latter forming pyramids of sorts...



Look how from this camera angle, the squares look more rectangular. The shapes start to mesmerize you after a while because there's really so much more here than you thought...



At first the design looks so simple, but it is actually quite detailed...



The buildings are happily married to the earth, and even the walkways are well executed like this open one...




And these covered walkways alongside this building (with their fascinating triangular columns) are pretty spectacular...



As are these metal ones...



Some more of Wright's beloved triangles can be spotted on this roof...



As they are on the edges of the roofs in this shot...



Depending on where you are standing...



The building elements can change...



Sometimes affording you a window to the heavens...



Notice the caution lines here. Basketball players, beware! Wright was a little over five feet, and the esplanade tends to be very low because the architect (and his ego) deemed the covered walkways the perfect height. ;-)



And look at the wonderful esplanade being restored at present...



Being from a dryer climate, what Wright didn't figure into the long range equation is the damage that Florida's significant rainfall can do to a flat roof...



But the esplanade's stateliness speaks for itself...





The verdi gris element along the edges of roofs is copper...



And in case you're wondering...



Wright did not leave circles out of his formula for the perfect campus...



Or water elements, such as the water in the round pool with fountains, a pool that beautifully reflects the college's administration building...





Then there are some other elements like tiny bits of stained glass found on various buildings...





I think it's the perfect element since stained glass is often associated with churches, and this is a Methodist school...



I don't know if you can see it, but while I was shooting this, a magpie decided to perch on the part of the tower just to the right of the cross. Well, the bird looks like a magpie, and we're going to pretend it is...



In a cost saving effort during the Great Depression, the students were taught by Wright how to cast some of the masonry elements...



And every corner you turn...



Leads to something even more interesting...



And another photo op...



But it seems that all roads lead to Annie Pfeiffer ...







She appears to be a hub of sorts...



And appears to be the same front to back...



And side to side...



In Wright's own words...



"This architecture represents the laws of harmony and rhythm...



"It's organic architecture...



"And we have seen little of it so far...



"It's like a little green shoot growing in a concrete pavement."



Well stated. And I think it can be further stated that Mr. Wright had an eye on the future with his design concept because it is, above all else, timeless in its appeal...



Thank you so much for joining me today on this tour. I hope you've enjoyed this tiny glimpse into the many Frank Lloyd Wright designed and inspired buildings on this campus. I've enjoyed having you pop in for a visit, and I look forward to flying over to your blog to visit with you there...



Please join Susan and her friends at A Southern Daydreamer to see more outdoor posts for this beautiful Outdoor Wednesday. You can get there by clicking right here.



I wish you blue skies and smooth flights throughout the week ahead...



Warmly,

Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)