Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has announced that it has acquired the Bachman Wilson House, designed in the 1950s by Frank Lloyd Wright, and plans to move it to its facility in Bentonville, Ark. The restored house, which is located in Somerset County, N.J., Ā was placed on the market in 2012 by its owners after it was periodically damaged by flooding of the nearby Millstone River. Numerous architectural experts have concluded that moving the house offers its best hope for long-term survival.
One of Wright's celebrated Usonian houses, the Bachman Wilson House will be transported 1,200 miles by J.B. Hunt, an Arkansas carrier, at no charge. The sellers, architects Lawrence and Sharon Tarentino, have agreed to supervise the dismantling and packing process.
The 200,000-sf Crystal Bridges Museum was founded by Alice Walton, who is the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton. It opened in 2011 in a facility designed by Moshe Safdie. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed, though the market price was $1.5 million.
āWeāre honored to be able to preserve and share this significant example of American architecture, as Frank Lloyd Wrightās work embodies our own mission of celebrating art and nature,ā Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges executive director, said in a statement.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is on record as supporting the move.Ā āFacing a difficult dilemma after upstream construction and water āmanagementā projects contributed to a repeated untenable flood hazard for their property ā¦ the Tarantinos reluctantly concluded that the house required relocation,ā Janet Halstead, executive director of the conservancy, said in a statement.
The relocation is expected to be complete by early 2015.
Ā
Related Stories
Architects | Oct 11, 2016
A good imagination and a pile of junk: How maker culture is influencing the way AEC firms solve problems
āFailā is no longer a dirty four-letter word: for maker culture, it has become a crucial stop along the way
Architects | Oct 4, 2016
Video blog: How to future-proof your workplace
Larry Lander, a Principal with PDR and a registered architect, discusses how modularity can improve a workplace for the business and the individual.
Architects | Sep 30, 2016
Ugly soviet parking garage takes on appearance of a cascading waterfall
Architect Ignas Lukaskas worked in conjunction with Vieta and the Vilnius Street Art festival to transform the building.
Architects | Sep 30, 2016
HOK partners with Delos to accredit its designers as wellness professionals
They are also working on the first WELL-certified city district, in Tampa, Fla.Ā
Architects | Sep 29, 2016
Join Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architectureās partners Adrian Smith, Gordon Gill, and Robert Forest for āAS+GG At Tenā
The event is a presentation of their work spanning the past 10 years.
Architects | Sep 29, 2016
Design culture in Dubai draws increased international attention
Innovation and sustainability drive an increasingly global design culture in Dubai.
Architects | Sep 29, 2016
Space architecture is making the leap from science fiction to reality
3D printed domes and inflatable living spaces are just some of the ideas for how to create habitable spaces on Martian planets.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Sep 28, 2016
Architecture conservation efforts begin at Salk Institute of Biological Studies
Getty-led research and funding leads to important site repairs and long-term conservation management planning.
| Sep 26, 2016
RELIGIOUS FACILITY GIANTS: A ranking of the nationās top religious sector design and construction firms
Gensler, Leo A Daly, Brasfield & Gorrie, Layton Construction, and AECOM top Building Design+Constructionās annual ranking of the nationās largest religious facility AEC firms, as reported in the 2016 Giants 300 Report.
Architects | Sep 26, 2016
Explore the world through architectural adventures
A new travel program offers design enthusiast travelers 10 global destinations.