Theodore A. Pappas House
The entire body of the Pappas House, including the roof, is made up of plain concrete blocks standardized to a module. These blocks were placed on top of and next to one another with no mortar. The hidden sides of each block had hollows through which steel rods were inserted, running vertically and horizontally, creating a "knit" effect. Grout was used to fill the hollows after the rods were in place. Theoretically, all elements of the house could be manufactured and sent to the owners as a sort of “do-it-yourself” kit, the “automatic” aspect of an Usonian Automatic. However, metal molds for the blocks were not available, and the blocks had to be cast in molds created by a local craftsman. The concrete was pretinted according to Wright's idea that color should be in and not on the surface. The color scheme throughout the house is monochromatic, a warm natural, earthen color, complemented by a uniform unstained Philippine mahogany for trim and built in furniture. (Storrer, 422)
In 1985, Bette Pappas wrote a book titled "No Passing Fancy" (ASIN B000IZVEES) about her house. Bette Pappas died at the home in February 2018 at the age of 91.
In 2020, the house was sold by the Pappas children to the Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative, a non-profit created by filmmaker Michael Miner. It is anticipated the house will be refurbished and turned into a museum and event center. In May 2021, the house was opened for public tours by appointment.
See also
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ Clark, Patrick (2020-03-03). "Filmmaker to turn newly purchased Frank Lloyd Wright house into museum". FOX2now.com. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
- ^ "Bette Pappas, one of the last original owners of a Frank Lloyd Wright home, dies at 91 | Obituaries | stltoday.com".
- ^ Schremp Hahn, Valerie (February 27, 2020). "Frank Lloyd Wright Pappas House is sold; plans are to turn it into museum, event center". Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- ^ "Pappas House". May 12, 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
- Storrer, William Allin (1993). The Frank Lloyd Wright Companion. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-77624-8.. ISBN 0-226-77621-2 (S.392)
External links
- St. Louis Landmarks in Town and Country
- Pappas house on waymarking.com
- NRHP Nomination Form
- Ebsworth Park newsletter
- Photo of the Pappas house