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Last
month, I got a great Christmas present at work: a bigger budget for the
magazine. Big enough to hire a much-needed associate editor. So, in the
new year, we start with a fresh face on the editorial team, Mark
Berthold.
One
of the interesting factoids Mark has shared with me is that he grew up
in Oak Park, Ill., land of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s
best-known architects. Mark toured Wright’s home and studio every year
of its 10-year renovation (1980 to 1990). Mark said it was “a very cool
childhood memory.”
That
made me curious. Does Hawaii have any buildings designed by Wright that
we can visit? I often hear people refer to Wright’s design concepts,
but are there actually any Wright houses or buildings here?
According
to geocites.com, Wright designed buildings in more than 37 states, but,
not in Hawaii. However, there are two buildings that were adapted from
Wright designs. Since he did not actually design the buildings for
their Hawaiian sites, they shouldn’t be considered genuine Wright
buildings. In addition, the designs underwent changes to satisfy the
clients, uses and locations.
The
first is the new clubhouse at the Grand Waikapu Country Club on Maui.
It was originally designed as a home for Marilyn Monroe, but she never
got to build it. The other is called the Hemicycle House. This building
was designed for a site in Pennsylvania in the 1950s, but was built on
the Big Island in 1992.
For
more on building concepts and designs, be sure to check out the 13th
annual Building Industry Association (BIA) Home Building &
Remodeling Show Guidebook inside this month’s issue. The four-day show
is the year’s major home-improvement event (Jan. 25 to 28). Don’t miss
it! We’ll be there, too … come by booth 511 and say hello.
Happy New Year!
aimeeh@pacificbasin.net
 Publisher’s Pick:
Localize
your front door with one of these charming wall plaques with shell
hangers, hand painted on Kauai. I love the one that says, “Take time to
smell the plumeria.” Other greetings include: “Gone to the Beach,”
“Aloha,” and “Whale Watcher.” Island Treasures at the Marina, Hawaii
Kai, from $36 to $38.
terryr@pacificbasin.net |
