Author Archives: Lawrence Modern

Fear! Suspense! Architecture!

For a moment in 2015, Lawrence Modern gamely attempted to examine modern architecture through film—the modernist medium par excellence—with movies curated by KU School of Architecture faculty. Our Modernism in Cinema series only lasted a couple of shows, but it left an afterimage that hasn’t worn off, and we are eager to delve into the […]

Taliesin Fellow Kelly Oliver: a living connection to Frank Lloyd Wright

Of the approximately 800 students who joined Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship program (1932-1959), W. Kelly Oliver, 97, is one of its last surviving apprentices. Last month, Lawrence Modern’s Dennis Domer interviewed Oliver at the Pioneer Ridge assisted living facility, where Oliver recalled his decade working in the program and later efforts with Taliesin Associated […]

Taliesin apprentice to recall decade working with Frank Lloyd Wright

On a Frank Lloyd Wright binge? We’ve got you covered. Lawrence Modern is excited to offer you a rare opportunity to hear architect W. Kelly Oliver, one of a handful of Taliesin fellows still alive who studied and worked directly under Wright, talk about his residency. Born in 1926, Oliver studied architecture at the University […]

Smith Hall update

Last year Lawrence Modern learned that KU had placed Smith Hall on a list of university buildings—among a dozen deemed obsolete and “demolition ready”—that were likely to be razed in Fiscal Year 2023. Like the superheroes in The Avengers, we sprung into action with the Lawrence Preservation Alliance and assembled a multitalented team to save […]

McMinn open house: it just felt good

Lawrence Modern held its first residential gathering in four years at the Countryside Lane home of Dan & Lori McMinn on May 21. (It was also the occasion of Lawrence Modern’s 20th anniversary.) More than 100 guests enjoyed warm spring weather and a fabulously cool house that has been remodeled period-correct, landscaped for living, and […]