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 The Wright Spirit Awards, the highest accolades given by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy (FLWBC) to those individuals and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary efforts in the stewardship of Wright buildings or the furtherance of Wright’s legacy, were presented at the Conservancy’s annual conference in Buffalo, New York, October 10, 2009.
Private Category The recipients of the Private Category award, which honors Wright homeowners who have rescued a building or demonstrated outstanding stewardship in its conservation, were John and Kathleen Leigh, owners of the Robert G. Emmond House (1892) in La Grange, IL. The Emmond House was one of Wright’s so-called “moonlighting” commissions when he worked for Adler and Sullivan. The Leighs thoroughly researched the original fabric of the Pre-Prairie Wright designed house through early photographs and techniques such as paint analysis and hired a skilled restoration architect, Leslie Gilmore. Two restoration projects were undertaken. First during 2001-2004 the interior was restored to its original appearance and in 2006-2007 the exterior was returned to its distinctive Pre-Prairie look. Public Category There were two recipients in the public domain category this year. This includes the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York for outstanding stewardship including the recently completed carefully considered and meticulously wrought restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed building. The great spiraling form of the Guggenheim represents to many the culmination of Frank Lloyd Wright’s career and the building is at once art, architecture and structure. From September 2005 to July 2008, the Guggenheim Museum embarked on a major restoration project of the building’s exterior. For three years while the facade was enclosed in scaffolding, a team of architects, structural engineers, and conservators undertook a comprehensive condition assessment which included the removal of 11 coats of paint from the original surface and various surveys and sampling of the structure and materials, followed by repairs to the basically sound structure. Accepting the award on behalf of Senior Advisor Thomas Krens, Director Richard Armstrong, the Board of Directors and the staff of the Guggenheim Museum was Marc Steglitz, Chief Operating Officer. Also awarded in the pubic domain category was the Martin House Restoration Corporation for the collaborations among individuals, organizations, foundations, government agencies and corporations that have allowed the restoration and, in part, the reconstruction of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Darwin D. Martin House (1904) complex in Buffalo, New York. The ambitious project included the stabilization of the remaining structures of the complex and restoration of the exteriors. It also included complete reconstruction on the original footprint and based on the original drawings and specifications of the Wright-designed pergola, conservatory and carriage house. Accepting the award on the behalf of the Martin House Restoration Corporation was Jim Gold, Retired Director of the New York State Bureau of Historic Sites, founding board member and former Executive Director John Courtin, Curator Eric Jackson-Forsberg, Senior Curator and Board Member Jack Quinan, current Executive Director, Mary Roberts, and Director of Operations Margie Stehlik. Professional Category The professional category award went to Lauren Burge and Elizabeth Murphy of Chambers, Murphy and Burge Restoration Architects of Akron, Ohio, and Robert Loversidge and David Vottero of Schooley Caldwell Architects of Columbus, Ohio, for the exacting restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Westcott House (1908) in Springfield, Ohio. This grand Prairie style house had been subdivided into several apartments after World War II and by the late 1990s had fallen into considerable disrepair. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy was instrumental in transferring the property to a newly formed foundation responsible for its stabilization, restoration and operation as a house museum. The four-year process included excavation to add more support structures, a new custom-made red clay tile roof (produced by the same company that manufactured the original tiles), complete interior restoration, and the repair and reinstallation the art glass throughout the house. Conservancy Award This year the Conservancy Award was presented to Jan Scherubel, who represents the ideal of volunteerism in her eight years of service to the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. The award honors individuals and organizations who generously give time, talent, goods or funding to enhance the Conservancy’s ability to carry out its mission. A critical care nurse and nurse educator with a doctorate in nursing science, Ms. Scherubel is the wife of former Conservancy Executive Director Ron Scherubel. She spent many volunteer hours working along side Ron and staff members in many capacities such as answering phones, maintaining membership files, greeting attendees and handling registration at annual conferences, and providing transition staffing between new and departing staff members. Click here for the 2010 nomination form There are many members, friends and experts who are active in restoring or preserving the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and deserving of recognition. Nominations for 2010 in all categories are due by April 2, 2010. Click Here for the 2010 Nomination Form The Conservancy knows that there are many members and friends who are active in restoring the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and deserving of recognition. It is hoped that nominations for 2010 will be submitted by April 2, 2010 to: |
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