Face Fountain

Interactive public art in Chicago:

FLW in Oak Park

When in Oak Park, IL last week, we did a quick walk around to see some Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. I have seen them all before, but I was much more fascinated with Unity Temple than I had been previously. The interior space does not photograph well, but flows exceptionally well. Anyone interested in architecture really should visit this building IMO.

Unity Temple facade, supposedly influenced by childhood play with Froebel Blocks, facing the main street of town. Where is the grand entry of most churches?

Elevation Dwg of side street elevation, entry in middle:

Here is the Floor Plan they give you at the church. Where the words say "Unity Temple" that is the main street side:

All early cast concrete:

concrete planter:

Unity Temple interior

Dance on interior

Then a few houses:

Heurtley House circa 1902. This was were we explained "horizontal" to my son:

Hills-De Caro House, circa 1906. This was a remodel of an existing Victorian house:

Nathan G. Moore House, circa 1895 English Elizabethean. This is not purely Wright, as it was a remodel from a Tudor, remodeled a second time by Wright in 1923. I like it a lot. It sits on a corner, and this is the back porch:

Not sure of the name of this one:

FLW Home and Studio Entry
 

Stone FLW Nameplate at home and studio:

Some Chicago Pics

Torsos
 

I didn't even really like this sculpture, but the photos are ok:
torsos 2
 

Planetarium
 

Train arriving
 

Looking out the front of the El Train
 

Frank Gehry, self pleasuring himself:
 

Gehry more restrained
 

walking across the bridge
 

Michigan Avenue Skyline
 

Banking area
 

Chinatown
 

And a few of the suburb of Oak Park:
Business area buildings
 

Great building entry:
 

Kick ass corner building at street level
 

Willis Tower

I have not been posting much due to work and tons of family activities, including our recent trip to Chicago. I think the blog may slow down a bit for the next month or so while other things like work, the election, work, soccer, scouts, wrestling, and more work take precedence.

Anyway, we took the kids and stayed in a hotel in Oak Park, and took the El into the Loop to sightsee. We had a fantastic time. I'm sure the kids will remember this trip the rest of their lives. I'll post a few pictures today and tomorrow.

The first thing we did when arriving was go to the Skydeck in what was once called the Sears Tower. It is now called the Willis Tower. They added glass boxes off the side that make for a thrilling view:

Glass Box:
 

View South with streetlights coming on:
 

What City

I have a hundred photos I'd like to post from our trip this weekend, but until then, guess the city:
 

UPDATE, Yes...Chicago:

This has to be the most photographed modern sculpture in the world! When we were heading to Millenium Park, we were following huge crowds, all converging on this reflective bean:
 

whole bean 2 

The fact that we are all attracted to a huge mirror maybe says something about human nature?