words and photographs by rinne allen
a few years ago, a friend gave me an old blueprint from a job that her father worked on in the 50's. It was for a building at florida southern college and was designed by frank lloyd wright, so the blueprint was extra special. at the time I had never heard of florida southern but I knew I had to visit one day, to see the buildings in person.
a few weeks ago we were passing near lakeland, florida and we stopped to visit the school, which comprises the largest collection of wright-designed buildings in the country. we self-guided around and were able to go in most of the buildings. my children especially liked the glasswork in the chapels and the formed patterns in the concrete...
wright's architecture always makes me aware of the space as I move through it, and I consciously, and sometimes unconsciously, think about the interrelation between what is inside his spaces and what lay outside. if you find yourself near this campus, and are interested in wright, make a point to stop & explore.
frank lloyd wright's florida southern college