The Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative (FLWRI), founded by filmmaker Michael Miner, is dedicated to reconstructing lost Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieces. The first project, the Banff Pavilion in Alberta, Canada, originally built in 1913 and demolished in 1939, will be rebuilt following Wright’s original blueprints, with minor updates for modern building codes. The project, approved by the Banff city council, is estimated to cost $2.1 million, with potential groundbreaking in 2018. The FLWRI’s next focus will be the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Redding, California, one of Wright’s last designs, furthering their mission to revive demolished architectural works.
Hundreds of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings still stand today, showcasing the architect’s creativity and influence. However, many of his works have been lost due to unfortunate decisions or tragic circumstances. The Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative (FLWRI), a new nonprofit, aims to restore these demolished masterpieces, focusing on one project at a time.
Founder and filmmaker Michael Miner has a deep connection with Wright’s work. Since 2002, he has concentrated almost exclusively on documentaries about the architect’s projects, including Sacred Spaces, A Child of the Sun, Romanza, and Masterpieces. During his most recent project, Miner began reflecting on the Wright buildings he had profiled and realized that several had been torn down. This led him to question why the trend of demolition couldn’t be reversed by reconstructing these significant structures.
This realization led to the establishment of the Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative, which seeks to rebuild lost Wright buildings that were demolished due to “short-sighted, capricious changes in taste” on their original sites.
“Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the greatest creative geniuses of all time,” says Miner. “There is no shortage of adoration for him, as shown by the outpouring of interest we’ve already received.”
The FLWRI’s first project will be the Banff Pavilion in Alberta, Canada, offering a straightforward restoration opportunity. The Pavilion, a simple Prairie-style building constructed in 1913 and demolished in 1939 due to site flooding, is estimated to cost approximately $2.1 million to rebuild, according to Miner.
Miner first advocated for the Pavilion’s reconstruction in 2013, traveling to Banff to present his case to the city council and writing an op-ed in a local paper. While the plan was initially rejected, the situation changed three years later, with development planned for the former site, which had been used for tennis courts and a skate park. The city council approved the project this spring.
The reconstruction will adhere to Wright’s original blueprints, with minor updates to meet contemporary building codes. The FLWRI has begun fundraising and plans to issue a call for a lead architect, aiming to potentially break ground in 2018.
While the group has ambitious projects in mind, such as the reconstruction of Chicago’s Midway Gardens and Buffalo’s Larkin Building, it has also been practical in selecting its second potential project. The Pilgrim Congregational Church in Redding, California, one of Wright’s final designs, was partially completed before construction stopped in 1963.
Miner’s group operates independently of related organizations, such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, and is now one of many efforts seeking funds for Wright restorations or rebuilds.
The FLWRI is not the first to attempt resurrecting the Banff Pavilion. In the 1980s, two Canadian architects pursued a similar project but were unable to secure the necessary permissions and funding. Miner, however, sees his approach as different.
“They were polite, nice Canadians,” he says. “I’m a brash American who won’t take no for an answer.”
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