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., 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.
“We’re honored to be able to preserve and share this significant example of American architecture, as Frank Lloyd Wright’s work embodies our own mission of celebrating art and nature,” Rod Bigelow, Crystal Bridges executive director, said in a statement.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is on record as supporting the move. “Facing a difficult dilemma after upstream construction and water ‘management’ projects contributed to a repeated untenable flood hazard for their property … the Tarantinos reluctantly concluded that the house required relocation,” Janet Halstead, executive director of the conservancy, said in a statement.
The relocation is expected to be complete by early 2015.
Related Stories
| Jul 8, 2014
Lost in the Museum: Bjarke Ingels' maze will make you look up and around
The maze, located in the National Building Museum, is a precursor to an exhibit showcasing some of BIG's projects. To navigate the maze, people must look up.
| Jul 7, 2014
5 factors that can affect thermal stress break risk of insulated glass units
The glass type, glass coating, shading patterns, vents, and framing system can impact an IGU’s risk for a thermal break.
| Jul 7, 2014
Team unity pays off for a new hospital in Maine [2014 Building Team Awards]
Extensive use of local contractors, vendors, and laborers brings a Maine hospital project in months ahead of schedule.
| Jul 7, 2014
7 emerging design trends in brick buildings
From wild architectural shapes to unique color blends and pattern arrangements, these projects demonstrate the design possibilities of brick.
| Jul 7, 2014
A climate-controlled city is Dubai's newest colossal project
To add to Dubai's already impressive portfolio of world's tallest tower and world's largest natural flower garden, Dubai Holding has plans to build the world's largest climate-controlled city.
Sponsored | | Jul 7, 2014
Channel glass illuminates science at the University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco’s new John Lo Schiavo Center for Science and Innovation brings science to the forefront of academic life. Its glossy, three-story exterior invites students into the facility, and then flows sleekly down into the hillside where below-grade laboratories and classrooms make efficient use of space on the landlocked campus.
| Jul 7, 2014
How to keep an employee from jumping ship
The secret to keeping your best employees productive and happy isn’t throwing money at them, as studies have continuously shown that money isn’t the top factor in employee happiness. Here are four strategies from leadership coach Kristi Hedges. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Jul 7, 2014
Nothing fixes a bad manager
Companies seem to try everything imaginable to fix their workplaces, says Gallup Chairman and CEO Jim Clifton in a recent blog post, except the only thing that matters: naming the right person manager. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Jul 3, 2014
Gehry edits Canadian skyscraper plan to be 'more Toronto'
After being criticized for the original tower complex, architect Frank Gehry unveils a new design that is more subtle, and "more Toronto."
| Jul 2, 2014
First Look: Qatar World Cup stadium design references nomadic heritage
Organizers of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, recently unveiled designs for the second stadium.