Buckminster was a genius and his geodesic dome buildings were not only revolutionary in their construction but were also incredibly unique and memorable. Perhaps your grandparents attended Expo67 in Montreal (you guessed it, waaay back in 1967) and visited the United States Pavilion- read this snippet for a time capsule account:
| “The United States exhibit, entitled Creative America, is designed to illustrate technological and esthetic inventiveness in the U.S.A.A huge transparent geodesic “bubble” contains a multi-level system of exhibit platforms interconnected by escalators, and walkways. The platforms support a variety of exhibit components specially selected or designed for the new environment created by the structure. Situated on Ile Sainte-Hélène close to the Métro station from which there is Minirail connection with the Expo-Express, the bubble is 20 stories high and has a spherical diameter of 250 feet .By day, the bubble glistens as the sun highlights the structure and, by night, the bubble “glows” from interior lighting. The interior exhibits reflect different aspects of the United States and include folk art, cinema and fine arts displays, as well as a space exhibit which is reached by a 125 foot escalator and a simulated lunar landscape supporting full scale lunar vehicles. A 300-seat theatre features a 3-screen color film showing the games children play.” |
Photo- National Archives of Canada
If you think that was pretty amazing check out some of Buckminster’s buildings that unfortunately didn’t make it past the planning stage.
Samuel Eppstein was a research scientist and Dorothy a researcher at the Upjohn labs. They had only been married six months when they commissioned their new home and construction was completed in 1953. The 2,250-square-foot Usonian includes three bedrooms, two baths, two fireplaces, and a general purpose room used as an additional living room. Though the kitchen has been rebuilt by a local craftsman in the Wright style, the home has all of Wright’s built-ins including two tables that were reconstructed to exact specifications. Ten-foot walls of glass are positioned to capture idyllic views of valley and meadows. There is also a swimming pool that was added in later years.
With a site on top of Palm Canyon with views of the valley, Wright began the Lykes design by replicating the curves of the mountainsides, making the home an integral part of its environment and providing big views for its owners and visitors. Though Wright passed away before finishing the working plans, the Lykes hired his apprentice, Rattenbury, to complete the plans according to the details set forth by Wright. The couple loved the completed plans, though it was another seven years before they started construction. When they did, Rattenbury oversaw the build and the home was completed in 1967. In addition to the structure itself, Wright also designed the furniture and built-ins for the home.
Now for sale and registered with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, the 2,849-square-foot home on one acre of desert plateau has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, the signature large living room fireplace intended to bring families and friends together, a lower-level media room, two home offices with built-ins of desk, cabinet storage and walls of shelving, a distinctive curved kitchen with Wright-designed island and unique under-cabinet windows and timeless stainless-steel counters, contemporary tiled large baths, and a privacy walled crescent pool patio viewed from inside through glass walls. There is also a separate large office in the round with all built-in furnishings encircled by half-moon windows. Views of valley and mountains can be seen from almost every room. 
Classic last Wright design before his death, contemporary for today including lots of storage space with furniture and built-ins designed by the famous architect, the Lykes House is now for sale and priced at USD$3.6 million. For the Silo, Terry Walsh.