Quad 2010

By Tara D. Loughman


Over the weekend many architecture students at SIUC, in coordination with our AIAS chapter, headed to the annual fall Quad Conference. This year it was held at a famous national landmark; the former house and studio of the late Frank Lloyd Wright. Taliesin (East) is located in Spring Green, Wisconsin, which is less than an hour’s drive west of Madison, Wisconsin. The house is setback into the hillside of Wright’s family farm once owned by the Lloyd-Joneses.

The conference was made up into three days of various workshops, lectures, and tours that were specific to architectural design, nature, and the tales and history that Taliesin holds. Many speakers that once knew or worked with Wright made an appearance to give their personal insight to who he was as a person and designer, contrary to what is generally noted about him. Another lecture taught us the purpose of using whole tree’s in our designs. This was introduced to us to highlight the facts in comparing engineered wood vs. whole tree wood and the benefits it has on the structures, environment, and economy. Most interesting to me was the tour of the entire Taliesin property given to us by the current students at there.


Wright had many structures built on the property. Many of them were built for his aunts and uncles on the farm when he was a young architect just starting out. The realization of his ideas and concepts used behind Taliesin is clearly seen throughout the site in many forms of materials and their uses. The most important thing you identify with is his passion and desire for nature. No matter where you look, you will see these indescribable scenic views into nature.


Overall, the conference at Taliesin taught me more of an appreciation for certain things in architecture, especially the multiple uses of nature and its importance. The feeling can be overwhelming at times but in the most positive way. Quad, too, was a great place to get a chance to meet and talk to other architecture students from various universities. This spring, Quad will be held here at SIUC, and not only will it be another memorable event, but it will give us students another chance to learn from one another.