Written by Lucia Winkler
The Florida Southern College campus is the largest site that the renowned 20th century architect Frank Lloyd Wright ever worked on. He concluded that the best way to execute the project was to distinguish each building as individual and unique. Yet the architecture of the college is united through his use of uniform tan concrete, bold red accents, and sharp geometric patterns. Florida Southern’s harmony with nature complements the picturesque spirit of Lake Hollingsworth, where the campus is located.
Wright is known for establishing “Prairie Style”, which is considered the first truly American architecture. Its use of horizontal lines, inspired by the Midwestern landscape, contrasts with the popularity of vertical lines during the 20th century. Prairie Style also features flat roofs and large windows, which are central components of Florida Southern’s architecture.
Wright is also credited as the founder of “organic architecture”, a style that attempts to balance an environmental setting with a functional building. Before designing Florida Southern’s architecture, he insisted on surveying the area to give attention to the nature surrounding the college. Perhaps the campus structure that reflects the use of organic architecture best is the Esplanade, the largest system of covered walkways Wright designed in his career. Its uniform columns were inspired by the orange trees that once occupied the campus grounds.
An additional structure that Florida Southern is best known for is the phenomenal Annie Pfeiffer Chapel. The chapel was the first building constructed on the campus. It is unique in its use of a hexagonal plan and a tall, geometric bell tower. The Water Dome is another highly regarded work of art. It is a circular fountain that acts as the focal point of the campus. Water jets on the inner edge of the fountain create a dome of water that is capable of reaching a height of 45 feet. Despite the popularity of these particular structures, there are many more campus features that may catch the eye of the viewer.
Florida Southern was designed by Wright to transform a small, obscure college into a “true American Campus”. Wright’s success is reflected in its ranking by the Princeton Review as the No.1 Most Beautiful College Campus in Florida. Wright once said that his goal was, “to make life more beautiful, the world a better one for living in, and to give reason, rhyme, and meaning to life.” His desire was achieved by his addition of an awe-inspiring work of art to Lakeland, Florida, that any resident is guaranteed to appreciate.
