Roberto Conte Captures Frank Lloyd Wright's Geometric Motifs at Florida Southern College
Roberto Conte, an architectural photographer, has captured the essence of Frank Lloyd Wright's design for Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Known as the 'Child of the Sun,' the 80-acre campus was conceived between 1938 and 1958 and showcases geometric patterns, intricate blockwork, and stunning stained glass. It comprises twelve completed buildings linked by covered walkways, including the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel (1941) and the impressive Water Dome, which soars over forty feet. In 2012, this historic district was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Conte's imagery highlights the dynamic relationship between light, shadow, and the repetitive materials throughout the campus.
Key facts
- Roberto Conte photographed Frank Lloyd Wright's Florida Southern College campus in Lakeland, Florida.
- The campus is the largest single-site collection of Wright's work globally.
- Wright developed the masterplan from 1938 to 1958, envisioning 18 structures; 12 were built.
- Wright called the campus 'Child of the Sun,' referencing the climate and emphasis on light.
- The campus features sand-colored concrete, geometric ornamentation, patterned blockwork, and stained glass.
- The Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, completed in 1941, serves as the visual and symbolic center.
- The Water Dome is a fountain designed to produce a circular curtain of water over forty feet high.
- The Florida Southern College Historic District was named a National Historic Landmark in 2012.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Roberto Conte
Institutions
- Florida Southern College
- U.S. National Park Service
Locations
- Lakeland
- Florida
- United States