If Frank Lloyd Wright had his way, much of America would look vastly different today. Though the architect designed over 1,000 structures throughout his lifetime, only about half of them were built, and many of his most ambitious projects were left on the drawing board. Now, a new exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, invites visitors to explore an almost-reality by focusing on one American city, Pittsburgh, where Wright envisioned some of his grandest work that never came to pass.
Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr., for whom Wright designed the iconic Fallingwater, introduced him to the city in 1934 and advocated for the architect’s involvement in a number of public projects. In the following years, Wright designed a massive circular civic center imagined to be 1,000 feet in diameter; a self-service garage for Kaufmann’s Department Store, which would have cost about $25 million today; a 14-story apartment complex clad in red bricks; and a chapel, all planned for southwestern Pennsylvania.
Titled “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania,” the exhibit, which opened on Saturday, brings these imagined structures to life in a whole new way. Co-organized by the Westmoreland Museum of American Art and Fallingwater, guests can explore both realized and unrealized projects by Wright to gain a broader understanding of his cohesive vision for the area. To visualize the projects, Skyline Ink Animators + Illustrators created realistic animated films, which allow virtual exploration of Wright’s designs. Visitors will be able to watch three films showcasing the projects, offering a multimedia “walk” through the unbuilt projects. Each animation will particularly focus on materials, textures, light, and shadow.
“We are thrilled to have “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” on view at the museum,” Aileen Fuchs, president and executive director of the National Building Museum, said in a statement. “We feel fortunate to have a new window into the mind of this legendary architect. By presenting both realized and unrealized projects, the exhibition encourages visitors to consider what might have been.”
In addition to Wright’s creations, the exhibit also explores Kaufmann and other individuals who play an important role in the architect’s involvement with the area. “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania” will be on view until March 17, 2025. As Fuchs added, “We hope it sparks curiosity and a better understanding of the impact architecture can have on urban, suburban, and rural landscapes.”
