Florida Southern College is home to the world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, with twelve astonishing and breathtaking structures. Wright named the collection “Child of the Sun” as a description of his designs. During his last visit in 1957, Wright described FSC as “the first uniquely American campus”. Since Wright’s passing, FSC has been gifted the responsibility of preserving his works. However, as time goes on these old buildings need a little assistance braving the Florida weather.
The next restoration project is the Miller Planetarium, which is located at the southern end of campus. FSC’s Planetarium was the only Wright-designed planetarium ever built and was the last building to be completed.
The Miller Planetarium building was completed in 1954, just a few years before Wright’s death. Over the years, it has grown worn and cracked by water and heat damage
Polk Science opened in 1958 and is home to mathematics and science classes. Since its opening, the Planetarium has filled students with awe and wonder, through stargazing and fascinating presentations.
The Miller Planetarium closed for more than six years because of damages; the building is being revamped to once again be available to students.
With the challenging Florida weather, the Planetarium is in need of repairs to be restored to its original glory. Once these updates have been made, it will be again open to the campus.
The updates to the building will not only help keep the original design of Frank Lloyd Wright alive, but it will foster curiosity in students as it can be used in more of an educational context.
The Project architect Jeff Baker who has studied Frank Lloyd Wright for many years states the following Planetarium work includes:
- Replacing the roof and surrounding areas the dome and the lower terraces
- Removing and replacing stucco
- Restoring or renovating all the windows and doors
- Replacing a number of cracked blocks around the outer shell of the building and around the terrace on the west side.
According to Baker they found and have the original working drawings to the Planetarium. All updates will remain aligned to the designs left behind by Wright. With a grant totaling $500,000, Florida Southern is able to make these much-needed updates.
The project supervisor is the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs, Terry Dennis.