Falling between the cracks are oodles of modern buildings that are not old enough to qualify for the National Register of Historic Places (+50 yrs old). Like this Usonion House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, for instance.
That's where the Recent Past Preservation Network comes in. They are dedicated to documenting and providing education on modern buildings that have made a contribution to design and are now at risk.
Their website is really a wealth of information on modern building design nationwide, and it's easy to find yourself completely emersed. Be sure to check out the National Windshield Survey, which documents endangered and already-demolished structures from coast to coast.
While many of our NYC structures are protected by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the building stock in a city like LA is made up of many unsung modern masterpieces that have no means of preservation in place.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I did my senior thesis on Unsonian houses -- I still want one!!!!!!
Preserving Mid-Century architecture -- esp houses (or as they call them these days -- "tear-downs" -- ugh!) -- is a cause near and dear to me heart -- thanks for this posting!!!
. . . fortunately, I spelled USONIAN correctly in my thesis!!!
H jean- check out a virtual tour of one in Manchester, NH:
http://architecture.about.com/od/franklloydwright/ss/flwkalil.htm
I believe there is an entire neighborhood in N. Virginia (Alexandria? God my arch. history is rusty!) Anyway, I thought they did a home tour kind of thing once a year? Wow, not much to go on, I know!
Becky
PS Thanks for posting this AT! I'm going to link to it in my blog. I have the tear down blues - I'm so sick of seeing wonderful houses demolished.
I've loved reading about Usonian houses - does anyone know of any that are open to the public for touring, on the East Coast? Or anywhere?
OH, and Kentuck Knob:
http://www.kentuckknob.com/
also the gropius house in Massachusetts is a good modern house to tour, and philip johnson's glass house opens to the public this June (or to the private for $50K dinner parties before that time)
becky
The Pope-Leighy house in Virginia is the classic Usonia house, and it's open for touring. It's on the property of another historic house built by G Washington for one of his nephews (or nieces, so something) -- about 1 mile from Mt. Vernon. Since the last remodeling, you are allowed to sit on newly-made Wright chairs while you talk about the space with tour guide -- it's an amazing experience!
Here it is:
http://www.popeleighey1940.org/
Ther is a neighborhood called Usonia in Pleasantville, NY -- north of NYC. 3 houses were designed by Wright -- the rest in "Wright" style.
The one in New Hampshire (haven't been, yet . . .) and Kentuck Knob are fairly large compared to the typical Usonian home -- but GORGEOUS, our course. Kentuck Knob is very close to Fallingwater.
On a related note, folks might also be interested in DOCOMOMO, an international organization that supports the documentation and conservation of buildings and neighborhoods of the modern movement.
There are chapters across the US and the New York/Tri-State chapter has at least a few nifty events each year. Last fall we got a fascinating private tour of George Nakashima's compound in New Hope, PA and there's a lecture and booksigning on Elliot Noyes coming up soon.
http://www.docomomo-us.org/chapters/new_york_tri_state
And for the NY-ers amongst us, let's not forget a nice visit to the Met Museum to see the FLW room from the Little House... (click through link in my name, below.)
Okay, okay... so it isn't the entire building... ;)
http://cf3.org is a similar group based in Cincinnati. Recently, they tried to save two Woodie Garber homes from demolition; I believe both efforts were unsuccessful, but the homes have been documented, parts salvaged, and blueprints donated to UC.
For those who are in or around Western Massachusetts there is a Wright Usonion home at 38 Shays Road in Amherst down the street from Amherst College.
John Lautner buildings (many of which are in LA) are not protected but there is a foundation to protect the plans. The wed site for the foundation is http://johnlautner.org
strangely enough, i grew up less than an hour from that spaceship place. (Not sure why that photo is here, it doesn't really say. i guess it's historic?) it used to be painted lime green. i think at one point it was a restaurant, but i remember it being "parked" in the parking lot of the scotch bonnet marina in buxton nc. friends and i used to drive by it on the way "down south" to go surf.
wow. i hadn't thought about that place in a long time. what a small (wierd!) world...
i don't know if you can tell, but there are in fact "aliens" in the windows. that was always my favorite thing about it.