Copperweld Lightening Rod
Stonework at the Frank House recently revealed a link to the home’s historic heritage and Pittsburgh’s industrial past. Stonemasons set a new capstone on one of the home’s chimneys, fitting it around a lightning rod connected to a grounding cable. The connector was invented by Robert Frank, and the lightning rod, connector and grounding cable were made by Copperweld, the highly successful steel company that he built.
Anni Albers Fabric
In November 2013, the chief curator and Anni Albers foundation gave a seminar on Annie Albers for graduate students at Yale School of Architecture. A highlight of the seminar was an image of a magnificent piece of fabric with a copper thread woven in it, from the master bedroom of the Frank House. Annie Albers is recognized as one of the most influential fabric designers of thee twentieth century. She began her studies at the Bauhause in 1922 with Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer. It was there she met her husband, Joseph Albers.
Breuer Furniture Returned
In June 2013, the Alan I W Frank House Foundation announced the return of four pieces of the original Marcel Breuer furniture to the Foundation for preservation and future exhibition. The desk and bookcase, desk chair, armchair and table were created by Breuer for the Frank House in 1940. They were designed in wood, Lucite and natural upholstery, and some were made by American manufacturer Schmieg & Kotzian. For the last eight years, they have been on exhibition at the Carnegie Museum of Art through the good works of Elsie and Henry Hillman and the museum’s director at the time Richard Armstrong, and with the generous support of the Hillman Foundation. They are four of the hundreds of pieces of furniture that Breuer designed for the home.
Article in Modern
The Frank House masterpiece was featured in MODERN magazine, with a multiple page article by Barry Bergdoll, with photography by Richard Barnes and Ezra Stoller.
Work Begins
Important work on the Alan I W Frank House started on June 22, 2011, as stonemasons began cleaning the building’s famous Kasota stone. Designed and built as a “Total Work of Art” for Cecelia and Robert Frank in 1939-40 by Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius and his partner Marcel Breuer, the home and its original contents have been preserved to the present day, original and authentic. But seventy years, along with the harsh Pittsburgh climate, have taken their toll on some parts of the outside and some of the original fabrics. The stonework is the first phase of the long range plan.This phase will use an innovative honing process to remove 70 years of surface discoloration from the stone, restoring the warm brilliance of its original pink-sand beach color. The honing process developed by industrialist/innovator Alan I W Frank, owner of the House, will duplicate the original factory sand honed finish. Renowned architectural advisors to the current project include Jay Turnbull, president of Page & Turnbull, an architectural firm specializing in historic preservation; and Joseph Godfryt, Principal, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. According to Mr. Turnbull, “The late 1930s, when this home was built, was a time of great creative blossoming in the country, especially with the influx of the best of the European architects like Gropius and Breuer. There’s no question this home is a great masterpiece. And it’s extraordinary, a great blessing in fact, that the house has come down to us virtually intact from the moment it was created. The work we’re starting today will help by preserving the weather envelope.” Joseph Godfryt added: “The fact that the building envelope components have provided such exemplary service since originally constructed in 1940 is truly a tribute to the excellence in their design and craftsmanship. Our firm is excited about our involvement with the superb restoration that is starting.” Photographed together from left to right are Jay Turnbull, Alan I W Frank and Joseph Godfryt.