Spiraling into oblivion : Frank Lloyd Wright's deteriorating masterpiece in Iran

The Iranian ^ | June 4, 2004 | Nima Kasraie

[sionnsar]

It was the highlighted remarks that induced me to post this...

[nuconvert]

Wow, I didn't know there F.L.Wright buildings in Iran.
Any pics?

[martin_fierro]

Payam-e Nour University

[mabelkitty]

That would make an awesome casino on the strip.

[Fudd]

Wow, I didn't know there F.L.Wright buildings in Iran.

They show up everywhere. I lived three years in a small Ohio city (pop. 50k) before finding out there was a FLW building in town. I had a realtor show me a few in Grand Rapids MI (though I really wanted to see housing I could *afford*).

The leaking doesn't surprise me. A visitor to Falling Water complained that water was dripping onto his seat, to which FLW is said to have told the visitor to move his chair.

[Bommer]

[nuconvert]

Here's more ....

http://www.e-resaneh.com/English/Iranology/The%20Unknown%20Treasury%20Near%20Tehran.htm

[nuconvert]

WOW!
Thanks for the pics.

[WIladyconservative]

However, in view of its similarity to two other monuments constructed by FLW in the US, namely a Roman Orthodox Church in Wisconsin and the famous Marin County Civil Center in California . . . .

OOps - that should read a GREEK Orthodox church in WI. I used to live several blocks from it.

[nuconvert]

Thanks

[SaveTheChief]

Chicago tore down Midway Gardens.

The Japanese tore down the Imperial Hotel, which I think was a standout among FLW's works.

Wright was a genius and it is important to preserve as much of his work as possible in order to prevent the tragedies listed above.

[Servant of the 9]

I don't think this is all that uncommon.

I believe a Wright house disintigrated in the last few years here in Raleigh, NC.

Many of his houses were designed purely for looks, and were uncomfortable to live in and impossible to maintain, just like much of his beautiful furniture is too uncomfortable to sit on.

So9

[sionnsar]

They show up everywhere.

They do. I grew up in a small Michigan city where, I learned much later, there are many FLW buildings. I pushed an ice-cream cart past some of the FLW houses, and our church building was designed by FLW.

[sionnsar]

Iran and Frank LLoyd Wright ping

[nuconvert]

Yeah...I'm a fan of his work. Many are in dire need of repair.

[martin_fierro]

I dunno -- I think it looks like a tacky game show backdrop. <|:)~

[nuconvert]

I guess it shouldn't have surprised me so much. After all, Iran was a popular, exotic vacation spot for the rich and famous.

[The Great RJ]

Wright was a great designer, but wasn't a very practical builder or engineer. His masterpiece "Falling Water" was plagued by foundation problems even shortly after it was built. Many Wright by buildings had problematic construction or later problems with engineering issues.

[WorkingClassFilth]

Sorry, I don't worship at the altar of FLW. Seen too much of his 'genius' already. He had some handy ideas, but so did Henry Ford, Thomas Edison or Ray Kroc for that matter.

[Kirkwood]

I had a co-worker who live in a FLW house near Atlanta. It was 80% glass windows, so he relied on an alarm system because door locks were basically useless to keep anyone out who wanted in. I always was uncomfortable in that place.