This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Frank Lloyd Wright interviewed by Jeffrey Ellis Aronin and his mother, Mrs. Joseph Aronin. Originally broadcast in 2 parts on July 11 and 18, 1957.
Begins abruptly with Mrs. Aronin talking about a shopping center in San Francisco designed by Wright that she had recently visited. (The building is not named, likely the V. C. Morris Gift Shop.) Wright notes that Guggenheim building will have a similar effect.
Asked about what architecture has in store for the modern woman, Wright describes how the open floor plan has "taken the hostess out of the kitchen and made her attractive as a hostess and no longer a cook in the kitchen. We made her a feature of her establishment." Wright goes on to talk about how he has been thinking about designing for children (though he believes that the American family should be no more than three). He feels there should be individual space for children without interference from the parents. He talks about youth who request autographs.
Wright discusses the Sydney Opera House and juried architecture competitions. He also gives his opinion on the Air Force Academy building in Denver (not named, likely Cadet Chapel). Wright dislikes that the building was not designed to be in harmony with it's surroundings.
Wright talks about Le Corbusier, saying that he has written most everything that Wright has said.
He states that emerging architects must study nature. He believes New York City needs much more green space. He says that if New York doesn't have more grass within the next three years it will become uninhabitable.
A tribute written by Ralph Walker during a ceremony at the National Institute for Arts and Letters honoring Wright is read.
For more on Frank Lloyd Wright and this interview see: http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/neh-preservation-project/2013/feb/25/frank-lloyd-wright/
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 2956
Municipal archives id: LT9448