05 Aug recent trip offers chance to conduct second extensive photographic survey of frank lloyd wright’s a.d. german warehouse

latest images (taken two weeks ago ((july, 2020) systemically documenting the long-overlooked a.d. german warehouse, designed in 1914 by frank lloyd wright. located in richland center, wisc., the warehouse was the only building wright ever designed in the town he was born. the warehouse was built between 1917-1920 for local businessman albert dell german of richaland center, wisc.

the four-story structure has a red brick exterior on the first of its three floors followed by a slightly protruding poured-in-place cast concrete cornice wrapped around the fourth floor. the cast concrete panels were erected by a small crew of masons overseen by general contractor john daughhetee. a local river sand was used in the cement mixture, which is slightly tan in color as it is richer and cleaner from the water flowing through it. the janesville sand and gravel company provided the sand for the warehouse’s concrete panels. 

the strongly geometric, mayan-revival style three-part frieze panels were erected by concrete poured into wooden molds set into place. double-scaffolding was required to transport concrete to fill the molds using wheelbarrows from start to finish.

as i mentioned last last year, the wright-designed concrete panels are in need of repair and restoration. my photographic images show – in great detail – the extent of damage, disintegration, and efflorescence, caused in part by lack of maintenance and prolonged exposure to water and continuous freeze/thaw cycles. i hope the necessary funds are secured to begin badly needed repairs to the exterior.