How does one become an unapologetic aficionado of architecture?
Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by the stories that buildings tell. Exteriors, interiors, bridges, water towers, park shelters … all are objects of curiosity. It’s this wonderful mélange of history, art, science, and engineering that conveys a distinct sense of time and place. Everything from historic mansions to modern structures influence a community’s built personality.
I grew up in Clear Lake, IA, which has an eclectic spectrum of architectural styles. This vacation town has a range from stately Victorians and quaint summer cottages to nautical-themed bungalows and luxury lakefront homes. The town is also peppered with the iconic Surf Ballroom from the late 1940s, a well-preserved Main Street downtown, and a Public Works-era bandshell.
Next door in Mason City, you’ll find not one but two Frank Lloyd Wright structures: the Park Inn Hotel and the Stockman House. There’s also Rock Glen, a historic district that has the largest concentration of Prairie Style homes in the U.S. My personal favorite is the Macnider Art Museum, originally a 1921 home straight out of a fairy tale book with its Tudor exterior and thatched roof.
The Midwest is a mighty source of architectural inspiration. We are Frank Lloyd Wright’s birthplace and launch pad, and one of his sons invented Lincoln Logs. The region is the playground of his mentor Louis Sullivan and modernist designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. We lay claim to the Chicago School of Architecture, and the city is home to the first modern skyscaper thanks to Burham and Root.
Then there’s my home state. Because Iowa earned statehood in the 1840s, we have well-preserved examples of architectural wonders from the 19th and early 20th century. In every city, you can spot fine examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic Revival structures, an unwavering love for Victorian mansions, and a strong preference for the Craftsman style. Adaptive reuse frequently transforms industrial warehouses and manufacturing plants into a new use.
I owe my love of architecture and engineering thanks to being steeped in all this design heritage. Because what kid falls in love with Des Moines’ highly ornate capitol building on a 4th grade school trip? This one. And she grows up happy every day to write about architecture and engineering.
Jennie M. Morton
