jachobs House 1936
by Framk Lloyd Wright
|
In
1999, not long after I first started this web site Notebook,
I wrote an article on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian
houses and other projects of like kind. Now, as of August 2010, the Post Usonian Project page is the most visited
page on my site by a large factor. Over 600 people
visit this URL a month - some times up to 1,500. It has long been my intent
to revisit the Usonian concept and recreate it for
the 21st Century. In September 2003, SFIA Architects-Master
Builders took this on as a project and it is now being carried on by tsmARCHITECTURE, a division of MG Taylor. We are scheduled
to have a study plan of our first design posted on
the web by December of 2010. In the meantime, several
URLs, each covering a different aspect of the Project,
are
in place and periodically updated. In addition,
public and private BLOGs have been set up.
All these, in total, over time will sum up to an outline “business
plan” for the postUsonian
Project. The recent melt down of the housing market along with the dubious means of financing too expensive and ecologically unsustainable houses may now present an opportunity for people to discover a sane way of thinking about their personal living and work habitats. Recent scientic discoveries are also confirming what many have known for centuries that habitat does have a profound impact on cognition, health and personal development. |
There
are two index listings below. The first is a brief
description of each URL (or web “page”). The second
is an index of subjects with links to the different
places,
across
URLs, where each subject is treated. |
|
|
The
Post Usonian Project
Returning to a Tradition
to
Begin a New One |
|
This
is my original page posted March
4, 1999. This piece covers some
of the background of the Usonian
including my personal introduction
to the art facilitated by Dr. Hanna
and Mrs. Pew. In addition, work
by other architects and developers
is noted, as well as, links to
web site resources. It is the visits
to this URL that has convinced
me that there is tremendous pent
up energy for this kind of environment
and that the time to launch the
postUsonian Project is now.
[link] |
|
|
drawing
coming:
a restatement of the Usonian vision
September 16, 2004
|
|
The
UsonianOne URL Page outlines
the basic Business Model,
including services and product
to be initially offered, of
the postUsonian Project and
how the Project will evolve
from project to organization
to ValueWeb. The postUsonian
Mission
is
stated and a detailed Program
Statement is in progress.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Prototype
Options
|
|
There
are four options for doing
postUsonian prototyping: The
WorkConservatory, EcoSphere,
Bay Area Studio and the yet
to be designed first postUsonian
design (due September 16, 2004.
This URL, posted April 21,2004,
page explores these four options,
links to their URLs, comments
on the role of R&D in architecture,
establishes general prototyping
criteria, links to the public
BLOG, and raises the question
if a community of postUsonians
will be necessary to a successful
prototyping program. This page
also links to the four subjects
below: Design Development,
Organizational Intent, Customer
and Conditions. These four
essays directly relate to the
first postUsonian design process
now under way.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Design
Development
|
|
This
Page reviews the Design Development
process, its schedule, the
kinds of ways the postUsonian
will
have
to
be
build-able and the necessary
network system of Producers.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Oganizational
Intent and Producer
Network
|
|
The
Intent of MG Taylor Corporation
is stated on this page, as
well as, the role of the ValueWeb
architecture in the greater
postUsonian Enterprise.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Customer |
|
The
role of the Customer/User and
involvement in the total process
is explored here including
thoughts
on what the profile of this
customer might be. The value
of HABITAT competency as something
that cannot be delegated is
pointed out along with the
consequences inherent in our
present culture’s non-sustainable
life-style. Why the postUsonian
must address these issues -
to be true to the Usonian heritage
- is delineated. The scale
of work necessary to
sustain
a Producer network is proposed.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Conditions
|
|
What
are the conditions necessary
for a postUsonian ENTERPRISE
to flourish? What signs are
there that these conditions
exist and will remain long
enough for a critical mass
to be reached? What is similar
- and different - to the post-depression
and post WWII periods? A review
of Wright Sized Houses is provided
to illustrate the basic principles
that Wright employed throughout
his practice.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Technology
|
|
Technology
will plan an important role
in the postUsonian in several
ways. These will have
to be “smart” houses.
Multimedia will be embedded
in them in
a seamless way and in a way
that is both mentally and physically
healthy. The method of building
will employ sophisticated technology
even when owner-built. This
Page explores
these options.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Competition
and
Obstacles
|
|
This
Page looks
at those things that can repress
or defeat a postUsonian
effort and identifies countermeasures.
The deck is still stacked against
this kind of architecture,
however, present times may
present the
best opportunity yet. The major
competition is a new concept
of the American home typified
by the illustration. This is
a sophisticated product sold
by highly focused companies.
This approach is supported
by land use planning, the concept
of the city, the consumer paradigm,
codes, media
and
financing. This is what a whole
lot of folks want to have,
and as a package, they have
not been offered a real alternative.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Nature
and Size
of
Opportunity
|
|
This
Page explores the nature, scale
and scope of the Enterprise
opportunity
from a ValueWeb perspective.
What happens if a MARKET is
created for a new expression
of the Usonian House? What
happens if this market is served
by totally integrated services
from design, to manufacturing,
to building, furnishing, financing,
real estate sales and resale?
What happens if this market
spans across, at least, North
America? What are the global
and systemic implications?
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Public
BLOG
|
|
This
BLOG is a public open forum
on the Usonian concept and
its place in the 21st Century.
The intent it to conduct a
vigorous dialog that will lead
to action.
Other BLOGS, some public, some
private, focused on specific
aspects of the
Project - and on individual
projects - are
expected to spin out of this
experience. The goal of the
BLOG is to create a functioning
ValueWeb of Investors, customers
and Producers.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Private BLOG
|
|
This
BLOG is focused on the basic
idea of a postUsonian and the
formation of a business, Renascence
Homes, which will be one of
many, to provide services and
products. At present, the bloggers
are from the core MG Taylor
companies and a few friends;
e-mail me if you are interested
in this aspect of the Enterprise.
[e-mail]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
Reading
List
|
|
After
Mr. Wright died there was
a period where it was popular
to both ignore his achievements
and ridicule him as a man and
an architect. “Modernism”
was in control to soon be overthrown
with “post modernism.” Slowly,
however, the tide turned as
people looked back on his body
of work from the distance of
a generation. Then the books
started to pour out. Books
from the Taliesin archives,
books from former clients,
books from other architects
and even academia. Wright
has become an industry that
generates more money than,
I expect, he ever earned in
fees. I think that he would
find this both slightly scandalous
and certainly amusing. There
are many very good books, now,
on Wright and on the Usonian
vision and practice. Some highly
relevant to our purpose are
listed below. I urge to to
add these to you library. These
are books to read time and
again - to absorb slowly through
intellectual pores - to treasure
as the work they describe deserves
treasuring.
[link]
|
|
|
|
postUsonian
Project
A
Strategy
|
|
If
you add it all up, what will
it take to be successful? Why
should the postUsonian succeed
where many very good efforts
have failed? What is success,
anyway - and how can it be
measured? How can downside
risks be made minimal? How
can success, itself, be prevented
from destroying the very thing
we
set out to do?
[link]
|
|
|
post_usonian_hand_drawn_notebook_pages |
|
postUsonian
Project
Hand
Written Notebook Pages
|
|
In
parallel with these web pages,
I have been making entries in
my hand drawn notebooks. These
are listed below. The concept
that I will develop as a candidate
for UsonianOne came into focus
in these pages. It is far easier
to design with a site in mind
so I stared with the Elsewhere
property. In actuality, I will
develop the plans further for
the Tillers land [link].
This is an ideal location for
a postUsonian for historical,
and regional reasons and because
of the project itself that the
Tillers organization has taken
on.
[link]
|
|
|
|
PostUsonian Project
Rosenbaum Usonian
What Makes an Usonian an Usonian?
|
|
Using the Rosenbaum House as an example, this Paper identifies the basic principles of the Usonian concept and how they can be recreated and applied to the present era.
There are video clips from my 67th birthday work-party celebration when we reviewed the postUsonian project.
[link] |
|
|
|
PostUsonian Project
A WAY of Working
The Usonian Workplace
|
|
I have spent most of the past 25 years applying organic principles to the workplace. This Paper outlines the UsonianWorkplace be it in the home the work environment or mobile.
There are video clips from my 67th birthday work-party celebration when we reviewed the postUsonian project.
[link] |
|
|
post_usonian_project_subject_index |
|
• Jacobs [link] • Hanna [link] • |
“Usonian”
House designer/builders |
• aaaaaa [link] • aaaaaa [link] • |
postUsonian
Ideal Customer/user |
• aaaaaa [link] • The
Smiths as a model couple [link] • |
• aaaaaa [link] • aaaaaa [link] • |
• aaaaaa [link] • aaaaaa [link] • |
• aaaaaa [link] • aaaaaa [link] • |
|
These
postUsonian pages have grown, organically, as we,
at MG Taylor, SFIA-Master Builders and a growing
ValueWeb, have developed concepts about the Project.
This
INDEX links you to both a history of the
Project, as well as, my personal thoughts about it.
As such, none of this is intended to be a formal
and complete presentation
of
the ideas. This effort is a Notebook, Nothing more,
Nothing less. That said, the case made here - for
the rebirth
of the Usonian - is a very strong one. There is strong
evidence of a market. There is clear proof of
need. We
have accumulated the experience necessary to advance
the state-of-the-art of the Usonian concept.
The financing mechanisms necessary for funding these
homes exits - if we can build a compelling case for
the lenders. We have the means to start the prototyping
process. |
This
Project will happen if there develops enough energy
to do it. There is a potential market or there is
not. We will create a ValueWeb that develops and
becomes that market - or not. There is nothing to
stop this
except the
inertia of the present
way
and
a few
who
would
see
it as a challenge to their narrowly defined self-interest.
The present way of providing housing is not sustainable
- not socially, not economically, not ecologically.
It does not have a future. There are few alternatives
capable, however, of replacing the present system.
The postUsonian project will not solve avery housing
problem our society has. It is a start. It can open
the door to a wide variety of new and better solutions.
It is a beginning not an end. |
Life
is about choices. The market is just the sum of everyone’s
choices. It can have a life of its own and it
is a reflection of millions of individual votes.
The question is simply put: what do you want to do?
How
do you
want
to live?
How do
you want to employ the social tool called a building
industry? [link] What
legacy do you want to leave to the future? How do
you vote in the market place of ideas and
goods?
[link] |
|
|
GoTo post Usonian Prototypes |
|
|
|
GoTo: Tour of MG Taylor Environments |
|
|
|
Matt
Taylor
In flight: Nashville to Elsewhere
May 16, 2004
Major update:
Elsewhere
August 25, 2010
SolutionBox
voice of this document:
VISION PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
|
posted
May 16, 2004
revised
August 25, 2010
20040416.471219.mt • 20040518.300001.mt
•
• 20040520.456329.mt • 20040522.562311.mt •
• 20040828.888811.mt • 20050917.886001/mt •
• 20100825.811096.mt •
(note:
this document is about 75% finished)
Matt
Taylor 615 720 7390
me@matttaylor.com
Copyright© Matt
Taylor 2004. 2005, 2010 |
|
|