Florida Southern Showcases Wright-designed House

November 6, 2013  by in Designer Weekly   

Florida Southern's campus contains the world's largest collection of Wright architecture and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. Wright began his work with Florida Southern in 1938, conceiving a master plan for "a college of tomorrow" that came to include 18 structures, 12 of which were built during Wright's life, between 1938 and 1958. The Usonian house will be the thirteenth Wright structure to join the collection. 

The Usonian house will feature reproduction furniture designed by Wright specifically for use in his Usonian homes as well as a specially commissioned orientation film, "Florida Southern College: Frank Lloyd Wright's American Campus." The Ruthven Plaza, the GEICO Gift Shop—a faithfully restored Craftsman home—and the Usonian house comprise the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center, which will be the first stop for guests who visit annually to tour the college's collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

"It is a singular privilege to be stewards of this paramount piece of American architectural heritage," said Dr. Kerr, " Frank Lloyd Wright is not only a part of Florida Southern's history, but also a part of America's great history, and the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center is a wonderful tribute to his legacy on our campus and his impact around the world."