University Embarks On $50 Million Restoration Of Wright Buildings

"Time and the Florida elements have not been kind to the 12 Wright buildings, located on the campus of Florida Southern College."

"So the college has begun restoration of the buildings, which Wright designed and built over a 20-year period, from the 1930s to the '50s, on its campus in Lakeland."

"Another set of Wright buildings called 'the seminar.' These buildings, which were completed in 1941, and some others designed by Wright, were largely built by Florida Southern students, many of whom worked as laborers in lieu of tuition."

"Because of that sometimes-erratic workmanship - and Wright's brilliant but not always practical design - the buildings have not aged well, Baker said. On one seminar building, many of the three-foot-long cast concrete 'textile' blocks are crumbling."

"The uniqueness of the Wright collection of buildings at Florida Southern, and their deteriorating state, recently drew the attention of the World Monument Fund. The fund - which monitors important architectural and cultural sites around the world - put the college's Wright buildings on its list of the world's 100 most-endangered sites."

"Florida Southern President Anne Kerr hopes the recognition will help the college in its drive to restore the Wright buildings, which is expected to cost about $50 million."