Ideas Magazine Volume 7

Our special gratitude to curator Nathan Allaire, the John E. Christian Family Memorial Trust, Inc , and Indiana Landmarks for the opportunity to explore Samara House in such detail.

TEAM

Faculty Instructor and Editor:

Dr Ashima Krishna

Student Authors:

Aguilar Novelo, Mia An, Simon Bhatter, Atharv Chatterjee, Aniket Deshpande, Sharvari Francis, Mary Joseph, Ashilyn Kejriwal, Devansh Kothari, Ansh Lincoln, Maya Loya, Alishba Muzoora, Ahumuza Parker, Rachel Patel, Nitya Pauli Rivas, Marina Peckel, Amy

Portilla Rivero, Javier Raj, Varsha Rubin, David Shih, Dong-Lin Trupin, Noah Vina, Sophia Weinstok, Daniel

STUDENT EDITOR

Annie Cash

Annie Cash is a Senior at Purdue University, double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. She has assisted Dr. Ashima Krishna on “Forge,” the Honors College magazine, a publication dedicated to highlighting the work of faculty, students, and staff at the JMHC. She also assisted on other volumes of “Ideas” magazine

was adapted by Dr. Krishna in Fall 2022 to feature interdisciplinary work done by students in her Community of Inquiry course, where they explored the theme of 'The Global City' and heard from experts on various aspects of the city of New Delhi in India and delved deeper into each thematic exploration of the city. Volume 6 in Fall 2023 featured another iteration of the Community of Inquiry course, this time through the lens of conservation efforts at Samara House, a historic home and National Historic Landmark designed by well-known American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1950s

In Fall 2024, students once again worked closely with Nathan Allaire, the curator of the John E Christian House (Samara House) in West Lafayette, IN Their exploration of the site included several in-person visits to the home, in-depth tours led by Mr Allaire, and reviewing secondary sources of information. Students also explored other properties designed by Frank Lloyd Wright around the country and researched precedents. They also got to hear from two experts, Professor Jeffrey Chusid from Cornell University who led the restoration efforts at Freeman House in Los Angeles, CA; and Jessie Fisher, Executive Director of the Martin House Restoration Corporation in Buffalo, NY who is currently overseeing future conservation plans for the historic home. In this issue, students present their findings and recommendations on challenges identified at Samara House by Mr. Allaire and Dr. Krishna. Students worked in groups throughout the semester to analyze the issue and explore solutions to each challenge.

I would like to commend the student editor for this magazine, Annie Cash, for designing this volume of Ideas Magazine and curating the content and layout.

DR. ASHIMA KRISHNA

Clinical Associate Professor John Martinson Honors College

Purdue University

TRANSPORTATION MAP FOR TRANSPORTATION MAP FOR SAMARA HOUSE SAMARA HOUSE

Authors

Amy Peckel Daniels School of Business

Ansh Kothari College of Engineering

Marina Pauli Rivas College of Science/Daniels School of Business

Background

Samara House, constructed between 1955 and 1956, stands as a testament to the progressive architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright, blending aesthetics with functionality Located just outside of Purdue University’s campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, (1301 Woodland Avenue) this home was designed for Dr. John Christian, a distinguished BioNucleonics professor, and his wife Catherine, a social activities director at Purdue University The couple sought to design a structure that was not only a home for the Christians but also a space to entertain and inspire others, particularly students from the university.

The house’s design employs Wright’s signature grid system, where every element adheres to a strict 90degree angle, with framing based on multiples of four feet. This approach lends the home a sense of balance and stability through the 4x4-foot squares that form the structural basis of space. The recurring Samara motif, inspired by winged seeds, is featured throughout the house, symbolizing interconnectedness and growth Large windows and natural materials like wood and brick integrate the home seamlessly with its surroundings, reflecting Wright's philosophy of blending architecture with the natural world The layout also reflects the Christian family's desire for a stable, harmonious environment, with careful attention to both the functional and aesthetic needs of the family.

Inspired by the Froebel Kindergarten system, which emphasizes the introduction of geometric principles to children, Wright infused the home with motifs that reflect his personal interests. Every detail of Samara House was meticulously planned, with Wright overseeing the project even after construction The result showcases Wright’s Usonian principles of offering affordable, innovative homes that blend with their environment Through this careful attention to design, the Samara House transcends being merely a home, becoming a space that reflects innovation, harmony, and Wright’s enduring legacy

Overview of Transportation Challenges at

Samara House

While Samara House is an architectural gem, it faces significant challenges related to transportation to and from the site, which hinders visitors’ ability to navigate the premises effectively. One of the primary concerns is the visibility of the mulch path, which is not marked on Google Maps as a walking option This lack of clear signage forces visitors to take a longer route, walking around the property instead of utilizing the more direct path The main entrance to Samara House is not designed with accessibility in mind Visitors often find themselves having to navigate through the surrounding community to reach the entrance A more accessible main entrance would greatly improve the ease of access for all visitors, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the space without unnecessary obstacles.

These challenges primarily stem from the home's location, the inconsistent navigation options offered by the website and different navigation apps, and the lack of information online to guide visitors to the home. In this paper, we will explore these transportation issues, their impact on the accessibility of the house, and propose solutions that honor the integrity of this iconic structure while improving its connectivity to the broader community Through this analysis, we aim to ensure that Samara House remains a welcoming, accessible place for future generations to experience Wright’s architectural legacy.

Case Study 1: Emil Bach House, Chicago, IL

To better understand how to improve Samara House's accessibility and visibility, we must first examine how other Frank Lloyd Wright properties have been impacted by similar challenges and assess the effectiveness of the strategies they've implemented to address them One such property is the Emil Bach House, a Prairie-style home designed by Wright in 1915 for Emil Bach, a local businessman and president of the Bach Brick

Company, who had admired Wright’s work upon his return from Europe in 1911.

Located in Chicago, Illinois, (7415 N Sheridan Road) the Emil Bach House stands as a significant example of Wright’s early residential designs. So much so that the property has been recognized for its architectural significance, being declared a Chicago Landmark on September 28, 1977, and added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 23, 1979

The Emil Bach House was privately owned for many years before being made available to the public by appointment The property was used for a variety of purposes, including event rentals, tours, and as a vacation home. However, due to concerns about the preservation of the property, many of the original built-in furnishings were replaced with replicas. These concerns later resulted in the cessation of operations at the house towards the end of 2023. Even though Samara House’s issues require an approach focused on conservation (aimed at protecting and enhancing the property through proper use) while Emil Bach House has taken a more preservation-focused approach (aimed at protecting the property from use), examining the experiences of Emil Bach provides valuable insights into how we can address similar issues of accessibility and transportation at Samara House

The transportation challenges visitors face to get to and from the Emil Bach House serves as a framework through which we can better analyze the limitations these issues pose on potential visitors. Similar to Samara House, the Emil Bach House is located inside Rogers Park neighborhood, a residential area on the northside of Chicago. Considering its location, the main road leading to the house can be difficult to navigate, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area While the house is situated in a residential neighborhood, the road is not necessarily

designed for heavy traffic or large numbers of visitors. This can lead to congestion, especially on weekends or during busy times.

Moreover, parking availability near the Emil Bach House is limited There are no free or on-site parking options for visitors and finding a space in nearby areas can be a challenge Unlike Samara, considering that Emil Bach is located within the city of Chicago, there are various parking garages surrounding the area as well as metered parking available for those who’d prefer street parking According to Google Maps, the nearest parking garage, LAZ Parking, is located just 3 minutes away when walking as seen in Figure 1. Additionally, metered parking is available in the surrounding areas of the neighborhood, However, both parking garages and metered parking are costly, often requiring visitors to pay hourly rates without any guarantee of proximity to the house itself. Without free parking options, the added cost and inconvenience of finding a space can deter potential visitors

For those relying on public transportation, getting to the Emil Bach House from downtown Chicago also presents its own hurdles. While the house is only a 20-minute drive north from downtown, visitors who prefer to use the Red Line or other public transit options face a 45-minute ride, plus a brief walk. The public transportation fare of $2.50 is relatively affordable, but the total commute time can be a significant barrier for those who are short on time or who may find long trips uncomfortable Furthermore, the walk from the nearest transit stop to the house, though brief, might be inconvenient for those with mobility issues or visitors unfamiliar with the neighborhood

Emil Bach House is designed with two distinct points of entry. The primary entrance at the front of the house is easily identifiable and accessible, providing a direct route into the building. In addition, there is a secondary, less conventional entrance often referred to as the "fancy service entrance”, located on the side of the property as seen in Figure 2. This entrance, although initially designed for service use, is still functional for visitors and provides a viable alternative for those who may find the front steps challenging

Emil Bach’s layout stands out considering the simplicity and accessibility of the property and its entrances The paths connecting the two entrances are generally level and less obstructed by difficult terrain There are no major physical barriers or confusing routes to contend with at Emil Bach; visitors can easily identify the correct point of entry without confusion. In contrast, Samara House has one entrance through the residential neighborhood that is situated on a steep incline, making access challenging for those with mobility impairments. Meanwhile, the other entrance, facing Northwestern Avenue, is closed to the public, therefore no one can access

Figure 1: Directions to Emil Bach House from LAZ Parking (Screenshot from Google Maps, n d )

the house through it. Visitors may mistakenly assume it is the main entrance, especially since it faces Northwestern Avenue and is listed as an entrance by Apple Maps, further complicating access.

Figure 2: Emil Bach House Side Entrance (Photograph by Jonathan Lurie, Side Entrance, October 19, 2023, Emil Bach House, Illinois, Chicago, https://www flickr com/photos/lurie/10396290116)

The more straightforward nature of Emil Bach House’s design allows for greater ease of navigation, especially for those with limited mobility While the property could benefit from additional accessibility features such as ramps or smoother pathways the existing layout offers a less challenging experience compared to Samara House The clear differentiation between the primary and secondary entrances at Emil Bach House eliminates any potential confusion, whereas Samara House’s closed “”main entrance” adds an unnecessary layer of complexity for visitors.

Case Study 2: Martin House, Buffalo, NY

Martin House (pictured in Figure 3) is in the Parkside neighborhood of Buffalo, New York and consists of multiple buildings. The property began with the Barton House that was built for Martin’s sister to verify Frank Lloyd Wright’s ability to design an administrative building for the Larkin Soap Company Over the course of many years, the property expanded, adding the main home, a

pergola, and a conservatory. When the property was originally built the Parkside neighborhood was up and coming, but today it is a thriving neighborhood filled with character and appreciation for the Martin House. The community in the Parkside neighborhood can enjoy the property, and the staff at Martin House have tried to get to know them. Around the property there are different walking paths, which have helped integrate the home with the community This has contributed to the peaceful coexistence between the residents of the area and the staff that runs tours of Martin House

Figure 3: Martin House from Bird’s View. (Photograph, December 2, 2024, Martin House, Buffalo, New York, https://martinhouse.org/event/public-tours-2/).

Like Samara House, this home does not have onsite parking and is nestled in a suburban area However, there is a subway stop located fifteen minutes away, making it accessible for visitors to get there without a car and from downtown. Another way visitors can get to Martin House is by using Reddy Bikeshare. Reddy bikeshare costs one cent per minute, and Martin House has a stop located right near the entrance to the home. For visitors that do not have their own bikes, this is a faster way to get to the property than walking. Additionally, the coordinators at Martin House have added a bike rack on the property that both visitors and employees can use and allows for other transportation methods to get to the house Martin House also deals with large events in

unique ways. When hosting large events, they partner with the local zoo to use its parking lot for valet services. Although there is no on-site parking at Martin House, there is wheelchair accessible parking that visitors can use if they notify staff before their visit Martin House has adapted to its unique environment, but they still face issues with clearly defining their transportation logistics

Transportation Map for Samara

To resolve the issue of inconsistency on navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps, our group has created a mock-up for a trifold map that can be posted on both Samara’s website and other website’s that list Samara as a tourist site This will allow visitors to decide which transportation option is best for them and hopefully encourage them to tour the home

Design #1

Figure 4: First Draft of Transportation Map. (Drawing by Amy Peckel, n.d.).

The first map (pictured in Figure 4) we sketched shows all transportation options visitors can take. At the bottom we included a key to make the

marks clearer. There are two bus routes that can be taken from different locations, and the stops have the coordinating bus number next to them. For the 16C bus that stops outside of Kappa Delta Rho, visitors can get on the bus when they are on the South side of campus near Purdue Airport For the 10 bus that stops at the corner of Northwestern, visitors can get on the bus anywhere from Honors to the Purdue Memorial Union We also have included a light gray rectangle that represents the driveway and the back entrance of the home. This entrance is only shown on Apple Maps but makes the time to get to the house faster by eight minutes. Next to this is a green rectangle that represents the mulch path, which is not on any of the current navigation apps. Using the mulch path is also a faster way to get to the property, so it is important that we highlight its existence. The red dashes show the walking path through the parking lot of Ross Ade which is another route that is unclear on Apple and Google maps The pink dashes show the walking paths from both bus stops, and the blue lines show how to get to the site by car For those driving to the house, they are not allowed to use the back entrance, so visitors that choose to drive must park on Woodland Avenue or the adjacent streets

Design #2

For the second iteration of our map (pictured in Figure 5), we added dashed lines to represent where the map can be folded to create a pamphlet. For this map, we also changed the color of the mulch path to yellow, and the driveway to light blue, so they stand out more After receiving feedback from Dr Krishna, we decided to create an online version of our map that is interactive This was challenging to implement because it required us to be able to host a real website along with a map that highlighted different methods of transportation Unfortunately, due to the lack of time and scope of the project, we were limited to creating a dummy version.

Figure 5: Second Draft of Transportation Map (Drawing by Amy Peckel, n d )

Design #3

The third design we created was the online version of our initial designs. These maps were made using the JavaScript Maps API and MapHub. The website was made using HTML, CSS, React, Tailwind, and JavaScript. (All credit to Maphub for allowing us to host our maps on their page).

Figure 6: Online Map (Ansh Kothari, December 1, 2024, https://maphub.net/ansh/transportation-map-forsamara-house).

his version is more user-friendly, as it allows the user to zoom in and out of the map, while viewing the different transportation options The main source of confusion when accessing the property is the inconsistency between Apple and Google Maps. Therefore, an interactive map that is similar to those found on navigation websites and highlights the transportation options is the best solution. To access the map that features all transportation options in one place, we created a QR code.

This QR code can be placed on Samara’s website and adds another way for visitors to access transportation information quickly on their phones

Walking Directions

When visitors come to the back end of the driveway, it is unclear if they are allowed to enter The walking directions map shows that entertaining through the mulch path or the driveway is allowed by pedestrians. The rationale for showing this is that when we visited the home for our field trip, we were confused if we could use the driveway and mulch path to get to the front entrance of the home. Click for walking directions here.

Figure 7: Online Map Walking Routes (Ansh Kothari, December 1, 2024, https://maphub net/ansh/walkingroute-samara-house)

Driving/Parking

We identified 3 main roads that potential visitors can use when coming to Samara House. These roads are Northwestern Avenue, Hillcrest Road, and North Salisbury Street. The route to the house using Apple Maps takes visitors to the back of the driveway, which is closed off to cars, so we want to make it clear that cars need to park on Woodland Avenue or the surrounding streets. If there are a lot of visitors, we have also highlighted a special larger parking lot where everyone can easily park and walk less than half a mile to the home As this is a parking lot owned by Purdue University, we talked to a few officials who said if notice is given one week prior, then spaces in the lot can be reserved for visitors (Driving routes here )

Buses

Buses are an accessible mode of transport because they are cheap, can be used in summer and winter, and are convenient There are two bus routes from Purdue’s campus that can take visitors almost directly to Samara House and show the walking route to the house from the stop. The first bus is 16C and stops 0.5 miles away from the house. The second bus is 10 which is 0.6 miles away from the house. For Purdue students and faculty, the on-campus route, 16C, is free to use. (Click for bus routes here.)

Implementation at Samara House

Through our analysis of various Frank Lloyd Wright properties as well as our firsthand assessment of Samara House we determined that the property is in need of change in order to ensure its conservation and outreach.

Physical Changes

Currently, the back driveway of Samara is blocked

Figure 8: Online Map

Driving Routes (Ansh Kothari, December 1, 2024, https://maphub net/ansh/drivingsamara-house)

Figure 9: Online Map Buses (Ansh Kothari, December 1, 2024, https://maphub net/ansh/drivingsamara-house)

At the front entrance of the driveway there is a gate that blocks off half of the driveway,

For visitors taking the bus or walking to the home, entering from the back side of the home is eight minutes faster than walking from Northwestern, through Hillcrest, and onto Woodland. Using either the back end of the driveway or the mulch path is significantly faster, but visitors do not know it exists. This is the current entrance to the mulch path, but it does not have clear signage of where it

leads. Additionally, there is a “No trespassing” sign that can be seen on the left side of the path, which may be deterring visitors from using the path altogether. On the right side of the path, a clear sign that says “Samara

House This Way” could be a helpful addition that guides visitors through the mulch path to the front entrance of the home. Also, adding to the “no trespassing” sign that visitors are allowed, will make it clearer that visitors can enter through this path as well.

Other Changes

A new transportation method that we analyzed was Veo, as Reddybike has been a successful addition to the Martin House property Veo is the electrical scooter and bike company located on Purdue’s campus and is utilized by many students to get around However, the closest Veo parking stop to Samara House is still a 12-minute walk away located at the local Middle School Therefore, Samara could add a Veo stop near the home, allowing visitors to use the electric bikes to get to the home in a cheaper and more convenient way. One issue that may arise, however, is complaints from the neighbors on Woodland Avenue. The addition of a Veo stop means that Veo bikes and scooters will be parked along the street and may take up parking spots or become potential hazards. Additionally, the use of Veos will only be feasible during the warmer months (before November and after March) and may not be an option in the summer due to demand At Martin House there are many side paths around the property, which allow for an electric bike stop, but at Samara it may cause more harm An alternative to this is having a Veo parking spot near the back of the football parking lot, which is less than a 5minute walk to the back entrance of Samara. Another addition to the Martin House that has been successful is a bike rack that can be used by both staff and visitors. Biking is a common mode of transportation on Purdue’s campus, so adding a bike rack at Samara could promote student visitors to take their bikes to get to the site. The bike rack could be placed at the front entrance next to the entrance gate.

Furthermore, one of the best ways to attract more visitors to Samara House is by encouraging

Figure 11: Gate Closing Off the Front Entrance. (Photograph by Amy Peckel, October 3, 2024, Samara House, West Lafayette, Indiana).

Figure 12: Samara’s Current Signage (Photograph by Amy Peckel, October 3, 2024, Samara House, West Lafayette, Indiana)

prospective students to go to the home after they tour the campus These students will also get the chance to learn more about the West Lafayette area, and professors that made an impact on the University On the Purdue website under the “Visit” tab there is a section called a list of “Things to See and Do Around Town” that provides ideas for prospective students on activities they can do after touring. On this list, Samara is not listed, so adding it to the list with the transportation map, would be a way to help visitors know where to visit and how to get there. Also, on the “Visit Lafayette” website, although Samara is listed as a place to visit, there is no transportation information either, so adding the transportation map would help with confusion on how to get to the site

Cost

There are various costs that need to be taken into consideration, beginning with the signage and wayfinding costs To change the no trespassing sign, we estimate a cost of $50 to $400. However, the total cost of this change is dependent on the number of signs, their design, and the materials used to create them. Adding the gate to the back entrance will cost roughly $5,000 as mentioned by Nathan. This is a project that will be completed within 5 years but is dependent on future budgets and constraints. Additionally, a bike rack costs just under $200, which is an affordable and feasible component to add Additionally, another cost that could be considered is the time and money that is invested in enhancing Samara House’s social media outreach, as well as adding the map to the website, and printing pamphlets for the University

Logistics of Implementation

When considering how the staff should implement our proposed accessibility improvements for Samara House, it’s essential to identify strategic partnerships and initiatives that can help bring our ideas to life These partnerships will be key in making the site more accessible to a broader audience and enhancing the visitor experience

Partnering with Samara House

The most direct partnership is with Samara House itself If our solutions are approved, the staff will implement the recommendations we put forward, including the creation of the online accessibility map. Samara House can publish the interactive map we have created on their website, helping visitors feel more comfortable when they plan on visiting Samara House.

Partnering with Purdue University

Since Samara House is in West Lafayette, it is essential to partner with Purdue University to increase the visibility of Samara House, especially for university students, faculty, and visitors Purdue could incorporate the online map into its campus resources and make it accessible to students through their visitor services or through digital channels. Purdue’s broad list of “Things to See and Do Around Town” located on their housing page could include Samara House as part of these activities, (URL: https://www.housing.purdue.edu/visit/while-URhere/local.html), which would help elevate the house as a local point of interest. This is particularly useful for tourists and parents visiting students, who may be unfamiliar with the region and would benefit from recommendations for local sites Purdue's involvement in promoting the map would help spread awareness of the accessibility improvements and make it easier for people on campus or nearby to visit the house Additionally, after creating the pamphlets of the transportation map, having these accessible at the Union or the Student Center in Stewart, can help make the home more accessible.

Promoting Visibility and Outreach

Given Samara House’s “hidden nature” as it is nestled within a residential area on the outskirts of Purdue’s campus, increasing its visibility is crucial for ensuring it reaches a wider audience

There are several ways to improve outreach: Collaboration with Local Tourism Boards: Beyond working with Purdue University, another avenue is connecting with local tourism organizations in West Lafayette and Lafayette By including Samara House in local promotional materials brochures, websites, and visitor guides it could be introduced to a broader audience, including people visiting the area for business or leisure Local chambers of commerce and tourism boards often work to promote cultural and historic sites, and Samara House would benefit from being part of this network.

Social Media Campaigns on Behalf of Samara: Leveraging platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter can help raise awareness. Short videos or posts showcasing the accessibility improvements, the beauty of the property, and the ease of navigating the site would help attract visitors, especially younger tourists or students at Purdue Samara can consider sharing content on university social media channels, through local community pages, and or their own personal page to further expand its reach

Collaborations with Travel and Accessibility Blogs: Reaching out to travel bloggers or accessibility advocates to review the house’s accommodations and share their experiences could also help spread the word to audiences who are interested in accessible tourism. These influencers could share their first-hand experiences and provide visibility to a broader audience, especially those seeking accessible travel destinations

By improving the signage and providing a transportation map, Samara House can become more accessible, allowing a wider range of visitors to enjoy its architectural beauty These initiatives that we have outlined ensure that those unfamiliar with the area, students interested in visiting the

house, prospective Purdue students, and people with mobility challenges can experience the house with ease. These efforts will expand Samara’s reach and foster a more inclusive experience for all visitors

APPROACH TO HILLS AND APPROACH TO HILLS AND DALES NEIGHBORHOOD

DALES NEIGHBORHOOD

Authors

Mia Aguilar College of Liberal Arts

Noah Trupin College of Science

Rachel Parker College of Health and Human Sciences

Introduction to Samara House

Located deep within a residential neighborhood, Samara House is in a unique situation as a house museum. It not only has to handle the typical issues of preservation, funding, and marketing, but it must handle this while also managing a complex relationship with the surrounding residents. To date Samara has handled this quite well but with some residents moving out and new residents moving in, how can Samara work to maintain and improve this relationship with the neighborhood?

A Brief History of Samara House

Samara House is a National Historic Landmark located in West Lafayette, Indiana Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the house was built between 1948 and 1956 for John and Catherine Christian and is now one of the best surviving and fully intact examples of Wright's Usonian style of architecture. After the Great Depression Frank Lloyd Wright noticed that many Americans were downsizing and wanting smaller, less expensive homes. The Usonian style of architecture evolved as an answer to that need. It focused on low,

horizontal lines and affordable, local materials while still utilizing Wright's signature style of marrying the house with the nature around it (Giuroiu 2024).

In the early 1950s, Dr. John Christian and his wife Catherine reached out to Frank Lloyd Wright and asked him to design them a house Wright agreed and the house was set in motion On Wright’s first, and only, visit to the Christians’ property, he observed winged seeds on the property and used that as an inspiration for the signature motifs found around the house, and to merge the home with its natural surroundings The name ‘Samara’ is derived from this winged seed (CarpenterRoss 2024). He then took that seed and turned it into an abstract geometric representation. This design can be seen all over the house. One obvious place is in the living room rug. The design starts with one seed that seems to become two as it falls and spins to the bottom. This design can also be seen in the chairs and windows throughout the house. The lamps are even abstract representations of the falling seed (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024)

Figure 1: The carpet, chairs, windows, and lamps are abstract representations of the samara seed in flight. ©Rachel Parker.

The main structure of Samara is composed of wood and brick with steel beams inside the walls to provide support. These beams were what allowed Wright’s homes to have such long overhangs without needing extensive support pillars This same structure was used in the fireplace which is connected to the wall at three points while the fourth seems to float in the air When the bricklayers were asked to build the fireplace, they didn’t believe that Wright's design would hold itself up, so they cut a fresh limb from a tree and used it to prop the corner up. However, as the limb dried and shrunk, it fell, but the fireplace held, and it still stands today (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024).

However, the Christians had a problem. They were not wealthy. There was no way they could have added all the design aspects that Wright specified at one time So instead, they made an agreement with Wright that they would continue to add the unfinished design aspects throughout their lives, whenever cost would allow They planted much of the landscaping themselves and many of the custom furniture items were added later after the Christians took possession of the house They continued adding to the house up until their deaths. The roof was made of copper and designed with the blueish oxidized copper color in mind. Because the Christians couldn’t add everything immediately John Christian was concerned that he might never be able to see what the house should look like, to which Wright responded that he was a chemist, he should make a formula to turn it green. And that is exactly what he did. Once they were able to add the roof, John Christian made a formula that oxidized the copper overnight (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024)

As was common in Wright houses, he designed every detail: from the floor plan to the furniture to the landscaping All of it was custom made to his specifications specifically for Samara House

The Christians worked closely with Wright in the design for the house Wright believed that a house should reflect the people living in it and tried to ensure his designs did that for every client. Wright rarely used right angles in his designs but in Samara House they are everywhere. This is because Wright saw John Christian as a very square man and built his house to fit (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024). When meeting with Wright at his studio in Taliesin, Catherine Christian presented him with a 28-page essay entitled “What we need for how we live” which went into detail about the spaces they needed and exactly how they would use them (Samara House 2024) The color scheme of the house wasn’t his design but rather Mrs Christian’s Although he wanted to use more muted, natural colors, Catherine Christian wanted to use bright colors and with the help of Wright’s wife, Olgivanna Wright, who promised to help

Figure 2: The steel beams within the brick fireplace allow it to float above the floor without the support of a corner post. ©Rachel Parker.

with the color design, they managed to convince him to create the vibrant space we see today (Carpenter-Ross 2024).

Originally the Christians hosted tours of the house themselves John Christian would welcome guests into his own home to enjoy the beauty of one of the world’s most famous architects (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024) He continued this tradition up until his death in 2015 when it was also established as a National Historic Landmark (Carpenter-Ross 2024). Now, visitors can tour the house in much the same way as before. By being welcomed into the home, invited to sit in the living room, and to stay as long as you want.

Contemporary Challenge: Approach

to, and interaction with the neighborhood

At the time Samara House was built, the city of West Lafayette originally planned to continue construction along the neighborhood and put up more homes; however, construction was stopped, prompting the future historic landmark to be situated at a dead end It is currently positioned at the geographically lowest end of the Hills and Dales neighborhood which has resulted in a couple of issues. For visitors to the house, the geographically low positioning of the house in comparison to the rest of the neighborhood can become a problem. Entryway into the house can be a challenge as cars are not allowed up the property’s driveway (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024). This causes most visitors to Samara House to have to find parking within the Hills and Dales neighborhood in order to enter the home, which can be a stress to those with physical disabilities Though those with special needs are given an exception to park beside the house, the back entrance to Samara House enhances the necessity to interact with the neighborhood to some extent (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024)

The group’s approach highlighting those who live in the surrounding houses and their experience with visitors to the house, as well as their subsequent interactions with the historic neighborhood, discovered the issue of accessibility which was also found in other Frank Lloyd Wright designs besides Samara Though the number of visitors depends on the individual home and fluctuates based on the time of year each property is open to the public, interaction with the neighboring area is inevitable but can ultimately be disruptive to permanent residents in the area. Accessibility to parking in the neighborhood can be an issue, especially if a certain time of year is the most popular for tourists to visit, this can cause stress for those managing the property in forming and maintaining good relationships with those living next door.

One of the issues being addressed is visitor interaction with the home, specifically making sure no vehicles would intrude on private property due to the lack of parking space or that any visitors would wander into the surrounding houses and disrupt the quiet neighborhood Additionally, due to the amount of visitors fluctuating throughout the year, neighbors of Hills and Dales could quickly become exasperated and even irritated with the incoming traffic affecting their day to day life. The extent of this problem can be seen in the David and Gladys Wright House where the neighboring community protested to the commercialization of the otherwise tranquil neighborhood; ultimately, the neighborhood association successfully petitioned in objection to the house becoming a museum. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain good relationships and foster community involvement as this could potentially affect Samara’s availability to being open to visitors for tours While simultaneously ensuring a good repertoire between the neighbors, another problem being addressed is the historic site’s attractiveness and how to create an additional source of revenue for

he house; more specifically, how to increase awareness as well as the number of visitors to the Frank Lloyd Wright site in West Lafayette.

For those local to the city of West Lafayette or students attending Purdue University who are near the home and who are able to walk to the historic site, interaction with the neighboring roads is essential. If using Apple or Google Maps, visitors are led to the back entrance of the house which is seemingly closed off to the public with a red chain, indicating to visitors that they may not pass through the grounds unless they wish to trespass onto private property although this was not the intended semblance that Frank Lloyd Wright or the Christians wished to give One project that was a part of the original blueprints of the house included a gate that matched the one at the bottom of the driveway, halfway covering the back entrance of the home to clearly keep out any cars but not entirely covering the walkway so as to let pedestrians know that they are more than welcome to continue down the mulch paths toward the house (Nathan Allaire, personal tour of Samara House, September 21, 2024). This project has not yet been added to Samara, so unless visitors are previously familiar with the home and its pathways, most are led to believe they must walk all the way around towards Cherry Lane and a minimum of five minutes through Hills and Dales to reach Samara House

The location of a house museum, such as Fallingwater’s secluded forest or the Martin House’s bustling neighborhood, provide valuable immersion for visitors of house museums, allowing them to experience the history of a location through the presentation of the house. West Lafayette’s Samara House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, aligns with this idea, appearing in a historic, residential neighborhood north of Purdue University’s main campus. When traveling to the house, visitors walk through a quiet West Lafayette neighborhood, experiencing it as Wright did while designing it and how the original residents of the house saw the neighborhood while living there

The location plays an essential role in visitors’ interpretation of the house as Wright designs his works to blend with their surrounding environment. The location of the house inspires its design and influences how visitors perceive it and interact with Wright’s work.

Guiding visitors to Samara House requires a delicate balance of avoidance and immersion: on one hand, visitors should avoid private properties adjacent to the paths leading to the house, on the other, visitors should experience traveling through the neighborhood and approaching the house onfoot, taking in the external architecture and the surrounding environment as Wright intended In optimizing the routes taken by visitors, we must consider the will of the people living in proximity while avoiding the creation of a designated path that breaks visitors’ immersion in the environment. To achieve this, we observe select case studies involving Wright’s other properties, noting how they handle travel to the property regarding their environments. For instance, Fallingwater considers the surrounding forest, ensuring visitors experience the trains on their journey; the Martin House, situated in a neighborhood like that of Samara, takes visitors through the residential area in a live demonstration of the Martin House’s position in the community

Design Precedents

Case Study: The issue at the Phoenix House

The David and Gladys Wright House, otherwise referred to as “Phoenix House,” demonstrates an advanced version of the challenge faced in our approach to Hills and Dales, how visitors to Samara House interact with the surrounding historic neighborhood and its residents At the time, a previous homeowner Zach Rawling made plans for the premises that were met with resistance from the neighborhood community On the verge of falling apart, the fate of the home was rescued when the Las Vegas lawyer devoted

$2.38 million toward restoring the home. However, shortly after the donation Rawling proceeded to buy the three adjacent properties to the home, which concerned the neighbors The community, known as the Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association, objected to Rawling’s plan out of concern that his purchase of the surrounding properties would result in the construction of a Frank Lloyd Wright museum, subsequently commercializing the undisturbed neighborhood. The homeowner’s attorney delayed the date that the house would earn a historic preservation landmark on the Phoenix Historic Property Registrar, further confirming the neighborhood’s fears (azcentral, November 12).

To protest his actions, some members of the community chose to engage in a petition rejecting the homeowner’s proposal for the house; however, not everyone on the board was at a consensus about what would happen with the historic landmark For example, the President of the Association attested to both the homeowner and his attorney’s efforts to “do what will be the least intrusive” and something that “everybody will be proud of ” (azcentral, November 12) Some of Mr Rawling’s plans went beyond utilizing the house for regular tours, which is the extent of Samara House’s touristic operations, but included the building of a 25,000 square feet underground museum. The new addition would not only showcase the history of the house and Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy but also come with a stage for lectures, choirs, string quartets, a cafe offering wine and beer, as well as a gallery space to show local and global artist exhibits. Above the museum would sit a circular pond and landscaped paths The other properties bought adjacent to the Frank Lloyd Wright home would be torn down to create more open space for visitors In response, the Arcadia Camelback Mountain Neighborhood Association rejected the proposal with eight of the fourteen members opposing the motions

One of the concerns elicited from the building proposal was parking, like Samara House’s

situation with the house located toward the lower geographical end of the neighborhood. Should visiting the house be extremely popular at any given time of the year, parking in the neighborhood would become increasingly unavailable, potentially even overflowing into the neighboring residents’ driveways which would directly affect those individuals and could cause problems

Figure 3: The David and Gladys Wright House https://franklloydwright org/site/david-wright-house/

In contrast to the undecided situation at the David and Gladys Wright House, West Lafayette’s historic home has maintained a positive relationship with residents of the Hills and Dales neighborhood. The solutions proposed are more targeted at how to solve potential issues that could arise with the incoming generation of neighbors and should be considered as more preventive methods than contemporary responses. Other changes that could be implemented by Samara’s administrative personnel as a precautionary method to encounter a disturbance from the neighbors include collaborating with real estate agents This would entail a partnership between those who are interested in buying future properties within the historic neighborhood and those who manage the properties Incorporating this collaboration allows for future Hills and Dales homeowners to be made aware of the implications of living near a house museum, discouraging internal complications that may arise. Ideally, this change would prevent a situation like Phoenix House from occurring at Samara as future neighbors and the incoming

generation of homeowners will have been made aware of the community beforehand.

On Guiding Visitors to the Property

via maps, signage, and valet for highthroughput times

Case Study: Signage at Fallingwater

Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces, Fallingwater and the Samara House, comprise enduring symbols of his commitment to integrating structures with their environments While distinct in their locations and historical contexts, the houses offer unique experiences shaped by their surroundings and how visitors engage with them By examining the areas surrounding each location and the visitor experiences they foster, parallels and contrasts emerge that highlight the strengths of each site and suggest pathways for enhancing the visitor experience at Samara House.

generation of homeowners will have been made aware of the community beforehand.

Fallingwater rests over the Bear Run River in the Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania. The house, constructed over a cascading waterfall, immerses visitors in a serene forest. This location creates an atmosphere of isolation, offering a respite from the external world (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 2024). Visitors to Fallingwater traverse well-maintained trails that

weave through dense woodlands, providing intermittent views of the house and the waterfall. The journey through nature fosters a deep connection between the visitor and the environment, allowing for moments of reflection and appreciation of the harmonious blend between architecture and nature (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 2024) Since its opening to the public in 1963, Fallingwater has attracted architecture enthusiasts and nature lovers, drawn by the house’s ability to merge with its natural surroundings (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2024).

In contrast, Samara House is situated within the Hills and Dales neighborhood, a historic area characterized by its vibrant community, active residential life, and nearby Purdue University. Unlike Fallingwater’s secluded forest location, Samara House exists within a bustling neighborhood Arriving visitors find themselves surrounded by homes, streets, and neighborhood residents This setting offers a different kind of experience, intertwining an appreciation of architectural design with the dynamics of a living community Navigating to Samara House involves moving through streets shared with residents, requiring visitors to interact with the neighborhood’s inhabitants. This integration with a residential area provides a rich cultural context where the house’s presence contributes to the community (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 2024).

The visitor experience at Fallingwater emphasizes immersion, allowing visitors to engage with the environment and architecture without interruption The infrastructure, including maps and signage, guides visitors from major roads to the entrance, ensuring a smooth transition from the outside world to the secluded retreat On-site trails, marked with informative signs, lead visitors through the forest, highlighting points of interest and providing insights into the house’s design and relationship with nature. This thoughtful planning creates an environment where the visitor’s journey

Figure 4: Fallingwater House. Wikimedia Commons.

becomes as meaningful as the destination (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 2024)

From our research, we have also deduced that there is not a significant negative impact with the development of such virtual space, rather, positive outcomes are often highlighted. Although specific data is not provided, in a letter of representatives of the Taliesin house, in Wisconsin, it is mentioned their virtual component, a compilation of video tours at a low cost, does not negatively impact their numbers principally because of the apart location of the house Yet the Taliesin House also mentioned that they have not been sharing virtual content for long enough to note any significant effect (Personal Communication, Nov 14th, 2023)

On the other hand, in a comprehensive study

This type of map, complete with major roads leading to the entrances of Fallingwater throughout the state of Pennsylvania, could benefit Samara House with adaptation to Indiana. As most visitors to the house will likely arrive from West Lafayette (as students of Purdue University) and from within Indiana (within a day’s drive), Indiana-specific maps and signage serve to enhance visitor navigation and experience arriving at the property

Dales neighborhood to guide visitors The absence of dedicated pathways means that guests navigate through a community, adapting to the presence of other residents and the everyday activities that characterize the neighborhood. This setting offers an opportunity to experience the house within the neighborhood's dynamic social context, where the architecture interacts with the non-organic environment. However, a nonexistent or convoluted navigational framework can lead to confusion and a less cohesive visitor experience. Visitors may find locating the house challenging, thus detracting from their enjoyment and engagement

Fallingwater’s approach to maps and signage exemplifies visitor guidance The organization managing Fallingwater provides comprehensive maps detailing popular routes, parking areas, and the main entrance, ensuring visitors can find their way from various starting points. On-site signage directs guests along the trails, identifying key features and offering historical and architectural information that enriches the tour. These maps and signs serve functional and educational purposes, enhancing the visitor experience by providing clear directions and contextual knowledge. The design of the signage, blending with the natural surroundings, maintains the aesthetic integrity of the site while delivering essential information (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 2024)

Figure 5: A generalized map to Fallingwater from Pennsylvania and surrounding states. © Fallingwater.

Samara House relies on the layout of the Hills and

Figure 6: Fallingwater’s signage flows with the surrounding environment © My Home and Travels

On Enhancing the Relationship between Residents

and Samara

Fostering community engagement and ownership

John Christian and his wife lived in Samara House for nearly 60 years Throughout this time, he came to know his neighbors and build relationships with them This personal relationship with the owner helped the neighborhood to welcome the idea of a house museum after Dr Christian’s death in 2015 He had already been running tours for many years so the transition to a National Historic Landmark did not change that much. Up until this point, there have been no complaints from the neighbors but as the residents begin to transition and new people move in who never knew Dr. Christian, how can we ensure Samara House stays relevant and welcome in the neighborhood? How can we work to maintain the same sense of community that Samara currently has?

The overarching idea is to foster a sense of ownership Ownership, in this context, refers to the concept of having a sense of responsibility and pride in something One of the best and most feasible ways to do this is through community engagement Community engagement and ownership have been extensively studied in the field of psychology. Hundreds of papers have been published about various methods of engagement, how engagement can increase ownership, and how ownership can be helpful to the community. Many studies have even directly researched the effects of community engagement on small tourism enterprises and how they can increase engagement in financially sustainable ways (Wang et al. 2018).

Case Study: Community Engagement at the Darwin Martin House

n our efforts to increase ownership, we will start by looking at the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York. This is another house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that was later turned into a house museum. The neighborhood is happy to have it, but the staff works very hard to keep it that way (Jessie Fisher. lecture on Darwin Martin House. November 5, 2024).

Figure 7: The Darwin Martin Estate is an excellent case study to explore how to interact with a neighborhood as a house museum. ©Art of It.

IThey utilize many different strategies to help residents feel like they have ownership over the house and are a welcome and important part of the neighborhood Whenever staff is present, they will leave certain parts of the house open to the public so that neighbors can easily enter. They can access the staff and discuss any concerns they may have about the house or any issues they are having, or they can simply hang out. Helping neighbors to feel comfortable and welcome can help them to see the house as their own. You don’t just walk into another person’s house and say “hi”. You knock on the door, you call them first, maybe you don’t go over at all and instead just send a text Hence, when you can just walk into a house, it must be yours

The Darwin Martin House also collaborates extensively with the local school system (“Education - Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin HouseBuffalo, NY,” n d ) They offer programs such as the Junior Docent program, themed tours for younger age groups, and summer camps. These programs help the next generation become involved but also help the parents to see why maintaining these museums is important. When your children become invested in something you become invested by default.ngaging in youth programs such as the junior docent program can really help to develop adolescents’ sense of responsibility and self-image which can help them to mature into healthy and responsible adults

(Wood, Larson, and Brown 2009). This is, hopefully, the parents’ goal, and linking the Darwin Martin House to that can significantly increase their sense of responsibility to it

Finally, the Darwin Martin House has events like neighborhood barbeques, music festivals, and free tours and activities for the neighborhood on holidays These help to build community within the neighborhood and build the Darwin Martin House into it. As residents feel ownership over the Darwin Martin House and build it into the neighborhood culture, they are more likely to endure annoyances and fight to keep the house in their neighborhood.

Application of Strategies to Improve Signage

Developing detailed visitor maps that outline the best routes to the house from popular entry points would help guests orient themselves within the neighborhood. The maps should highlight landmarks and street names, providing a clear path from visitors' current locations to the house. Also, the indication of amenities such as parking areas, restrooms, and points of interest within the neighborhood can offer valuable information, reducing confusion and enhancing convenience (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 2024)

Adding directional signage throughout the neighborhood would further aid in guiding visitors toward Samara House Signage at the house can guide visitors through the property, highlighting points of interest and offering historical and architectural insights. These signs can function like those at Fallingwater, providing educational content that deepens the visitor’s understanding of the house and its place within the community.

These signs would prove beneficial throughout the Hills and Dales neighborhood, and the cost of procurement and placement would fall between $350 and $500 USD per sign With four to six signs scattered throughout the surrounding neighborhood (on more traversed roads), estimated costs reach a maximum of $3000 USD

These tours should also allow for flexibility in scheduling, enabling visitors to choose more convenient times. Additionally, tour guides should be trained in disability awareness and sensitivity and should be able to adapt the tour to suit the needs of the visitors For example, a tour guide should be fluent in American sign language in case of a tour involving someone with an auditory impairment

Aside from signage and other navigational aids, further improvements to the local parking situation can elevate visitors' experiences. Implementing a valet parking service could address this issue by providing a convenient and efficient solution. Valet attendants, to mitigate the costs of always having them on-hand, can manage parking during peak visiting hours or special events, ensuring guests find parking without the stress of searching for available spots This service can enhance accessibility and inclusivity, particularly for visitors with mobility issues who may need more help or lack the ability to walk to the property

Enhancing visitor amenities represents another opportunity to improve the experience at Samara House Establishing a dedicated visitor center near the entrance can offer essential services like information and ticketing or a place for guests to sit. This center serves as the first point of contact, providing a welcoming space where visitors can gather information and prepare for their visit. Expanding the range of guided tours and educational programs can cater to diverse audiences, offering insights into the house’s history, architectural significance, and integration within the neighborhood Interactive tours, workshops, and lectures engage visitors, fostering greater appreciation for Wright’s work and the Samara House’s role within the community (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 2024) Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House in Buffalo, New York, utilized a similar visitor-center oriented structure for tending to guests and funneling them into the property.

Ensuring that Samara House remains accessible to visitors is another critical aspect of enhancing the visitor experience Providing clear signage for those with visual or hearing impairments can make the site more inclusive and welcoming Accessibility features not only fulfill legal requirements but also show a commitment to serving all community members, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the architectural and cultural significance of the Samara House (The Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990).

Adopting sustainable practices improves the visitor experience while promoting environmental responsibility. Encouraging the use of public transportation, bicycles, or electric vehicles by providing bike racks, EV charging stations, and information about public transit routes to Samara House makes the visit more sustainable and accessible Enhancing the surrounding green spaces and landscaping creates inviting areas for relaxation and contemplation, offering visitors pleasant environments to enjoy before and after their tours Sustainable landscaping practices, such as native plantings and water-efficient irrigation, maintain the aesthetic harmony of the neighborhood while reducing environmental impact. Implementing comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs minimizes the ecological footprint of visitors, with marked recycling bins and sustainable practices fostering a culture of environmental stewardship (Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 2024).

Implementing new initiatives like signage, maps, and valet parking, makes Samara House a more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable destination These improvements not only enhance visitors'me at Samara House but also enrich the overall journey through Hills and Dales, fostering a deeper connection between visitors and the architectural legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright, seeing the House in its environment as he intended.

By embracing these strategies, Samara House can honor Wright's vision of integrating architecture with its environment, creating a visitor experience that celebrates the house's design and vibrant community setting

Application of Strategies to Increase Community Engagement

Following the example of the Darwin Martin House can help to build a strong relationship with the residents of Hills and Dales Many of their specific solutions would not be feasible in Samara due to its smaller size and different landscape but some of the basic ideas can be adapted to its unique needs

First, Samara could leave certain parts of the house accessible to the public while the staff is there, for example, the entryway and hallway up to the office. The other parts of the house can be closed off by simply using the doors already in the house or with something like a stanchion. This would not impact the house in any way and would be a very low-cost way of making sure people feel like they can come and make their complaints known If this would not work another way to make people feel they are heard in the neighborhood would be to set up a formal complaint mechanism These can be easily created online and then could be added to the Samara House website This is beyond the basic “contact us” section because it is inviting people to share their thoughts. It is asking residents to communicate how they feel about Samara which tells them that the staff cares about how Samara impacts them.

Next, Samara could broaden the scope of educational activities it holds for the children in the Hills and Dales community. School groups already come for tours, but various educational activities could be added by utilizing the yard around the house and the portico Samara could use building blocks to teach about cantilevers and the engineering used in Frank Lloyd Wright’s

architecture They could host arts and crafts days where children can come and create little architectural designs of their own Being close to a university, Samara could host guest speakers and invite professors or students to talk about fields of study that are related to Frank Lloyd Wright, Dr or Mrs Christian, or Samara They could also partner with student organizations such as College Mentors for Kids to provide tours and educational material for the kids and their student mentors (“College Mentors for KidsPURDUE UNIVERSITY | BoilerLink,” n.d.).

Next, Samara could broaden the scope of educational activities it holds for the children in the Hills and Dales community. School groups already come for tours, but various educational activities could be added by utilizing the yard around the house and the portico Samara could use building blocks to teach about cantilevers

and the engineering used in Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. They could host arts and crafts days where children can come and create little architectural designs of their own. Being close to a university, Samara could host guest speakers and invite professors or students to talk about fields of study that are related to Frank Lloyd Wright, Dr. or Mrs. Christian, or Samara. They could also partner with student organizations such as College Mentors for Kids to provide tours and educational material for the kids and their student mentors (“College Mentors for KidsPURDUE UNIVERSITY | BoilerLink,” n d )

Third, Samara could increase the different types of volunteer activities they offer Samara could ask residents to volunteer for events they may be holding for the neighborhood. Anyone who wants to volunteer can and anyone who wants to just show up and enjoy it can as well. They could also have seasonal clean-up days, beyond mulching the path in the spring. Things like helping to care for the garden in front of the house, mowing, raking leaves, cleaning windows and furniture can all help to foster a sense of ownership as people can look at the house and say “I did that That was my hard work, and my time, and my effort that produced that result ”

More general fun activities could also be added such as movie nights or a guest speaker series Placing a screen and projector outside and inviting the neighborhood to bring lawn chairs and snacks could provide a low-cost way to host neighbors without impacting the house itself. Another great way to foster community involvement would be to invite people from the neighborhood who knew the Christians to come and share stories and pictures they have to remind people of who lived in Samara House and why it matters to the community.

nd share stories and pictures they have to remind people of who lived in Samara House and why it matters to the community

Figure 8: Narrow hallways within Samara House

Cost and Implementation

Obviously, not all of these solutions could be implemented at once To some extent Samara will have to wait until an issue arises to see which solutions might be most helpful but, as a place to begin, it would be helpful to implement a formal complaint mechanism This would allow the community to communicate any issue they might have so Samara can decide how to respond to it before it becomes a larger problem. Hosting movie nights would also be a good way to engage the neighborhood in a fun and relaxing way. This can increase the community among neighbors and make Samara House a great place to live next to. It would also be a more low-cost option to increase ownership. A projector can be purchased for less than $1000 and a portable screen can be less than $500. This would not require much manpower either If someone can set up the projector and screen that is all you need

Lastly, the most important aspect is simply to make sure that new residents are aware of what exactly living next to a house museum means If they are looking for a home in Hills and Dales, they most likely value the history behind the homes there but if they move in expecting a quiet house with no cars on the road and no visitors, they will be disappointed no matter how much they appreciate historic architecture

At this point in time Samara is living happily beside its neighbors in Hills and Dales but as the residents age and new families start to move in, new problems may arise. These solutions can help to support a sense of ownership in Samara and lead them to value having it in their neighborhood. Hopefully, these can foster a lifelong relationship between the house museum and the neighboring residents.

Figure 9: A movie night is a fun and simple way to increase community engagement ©Backyard Movie Nights

ZONING IMPLICATIONS FOR SAMARA HOUSE

Authors

Sharvari Deshpande College of Science

Maya Lincoln Daniels School of Business

Dong Lin Shih College of Science

Samara House, an architectural gem located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is not only a significant historical and cultural site but also a place of ongoing public interest. As a National Historic Landmark, the house draws visitors who are eager to explore its unique design by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. To support its preservation and continued public engagement, Samara House has developed various functions, including selling tickets for visitors to tour the property. However, recent developments regarding zoning regulations and plans for the house have raised important questions about the property’s legal standing and its potential for expansion

Samara House was designed by an American architect named Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1950s As students at Purdue University, we are lucky to have this piece of history so close It was built near campus because former professor, Dr. John Christan and his wife Catherine, wanted their family home to be close to his workplace. Luckily, Wright agreed to their request with the condition that the couple would use his exact design,

regardless of how long it might take. It was very important to Wright that each residence he designed would provide the individuals with everything they wanted, while sticking to his artistic direction. With each home he always tried to work closely with the future inhabitants.

For Samara, Dr Christian was not able to afford everything so they would implement plans and add things as money became available Even now not all his projects have been realized due to lack of funds, and there are three remaining projects i l di k i d Th h b ilt f

Figure 1: Lamp Inside Samara Living Room Lincoln, Maya

wanted the ability to host their own families, faculty and students who attended Purdue University

Wright’s interior design really comes into play in the house with the creative seating options offered There is a coffee table that you can deconstruct and use the pieces as seating They also added wrap-around seating along with a sunken living room feature so guests could utilize the steps as seats too. There is also a dining, master, and guest bedroom that opens to a terrace that partially wraps around the house.

Over a five-year period the Christians worked with Wright to develop plans and designs for the

landscape, exterior, and interior. Even some furnishings in the home were designed by Wright. The house was constructed on a four-foot square grid that totals 2,200 square feet. It sits on one acre of land and each detail in this project has a lot of thought behind it There are heavy influences from nature throughout the home, with a prevalent motif being winged seeds This motif pops up in

various locations from the lamps to windows, to carpets, to chairs and more There is also an emphasis on horizontal lines in the home as it resembles a landscape, a nod back to nature Dr John Christian had the pleasure of living in this home until his passing in 2015

After the Christians passed the house was inherited by their daughter Linda with plans to be given to The Samara Trust. Linda recently passed away in July 2024 and Samara is expected to receive a monetary gift from her estate. This money has been used for roof repairs that the home had to undergo. The home was not designated as a national historic landmark until 2015. Samara has been in trust ever since Dr. Christan’s passing and tours have been run by Indiana Landmarks

Today, the property serves as a house museum It has been maintained mainly through the endowment of Indiana Landmarks along with the Christian family trust Their pairing with Indiana Landmarks has allowed for a new era with their newest curator being instated just two years ago. Prior to Nathan, Linda Eales, was the curator for over ten years. Nathan is now in charge of all the responsibilities involved with being a a curator including planning and tours at Samara. They still utilize the same volunteering system that Dr. John Christian used to find people that conduct tours at the home. Indiana landmarks has been an important partner and resource for Samara as they continue to make goals and expand

Samara House is owned by John E Christian Family Memorial Trust and operated by Indiana Landmarks It attracts around 6,000 visitors each year, with a maximum capacity allowing for tours from April to November, five days a week, offering two tours per day for up to 15 people each Private tours can accommodate groups of up to 50 members. Visitors who book private tours tend to be passionate about the building, such as heritage enthusiasts or photographers, making them more likely to cooperate in preserving the

Figure 2: Samara Roof. Lincoln, Maya

site compared to casual visitors

With ticket prices set at $20 per person, the low operating costs, which range from $80,000 to $100,000, can be covered John Christian aims to maintain the house in its current state to allow interested individuals to experience Frank Lloyd Wright's design firsthand, unlike other heritage sites that impose long lines or restrictions on touching exhibits. The curator is pleased with the current visitor flow and prioritizes preservation over extensive public promotion. This is evident from the absence of prominent signage; the house is simply enclosed by a fence. The team is working diligently to strike a balance between promotion and preservation

One significant issue Samara House faces is the lack of public restrooms, as the current website warns visitors that no facilities are available onsite Guests must drive to the nearest gas station, which is about three minutes away One potential solution is to purchase the adjacent building, currently for sale, which was formerly owned by a Purdue professor and a close friend of the Christians. They are still assessing this option due to its price. If this purchase occurs, the house could serve several functions:

1) Office for Nathan C. Allaire: Currently, Nathan's office is in what was once the daughter's bedroom, and he sometimes has to lead tours

himself With plans to hire volunteers to assist with tours, having a dedicated office in the new building would allow him to manage his responsibilities more effectively and provide better support for the additional staff This change would also free up the bedroom for visitors to appreciate its original design.

2) Visitor Center: Guests often must wait at the gate for their tours, which can be uncomfortable in extreme weather conditions and challenging for individuals with disabilities. A visitor center would provide a sheltered waiting area and include public restrooms, significantly enhancing the visitor experience

3) Gift Shop: At present, the only way for visitors to purchase souvenirs is through a QR code on an inconspicuous board that links to an online shop A physical gift shop would not only increase the house's income but also provide funds for planned enhancements. Many visitors are interested in the Samara pattern and would be more inclined to buy souvenirs on-site.

While the potential purchase of the adjacent property offers a solution to these operational and visitor experience challenges, the zoning restrictions on the Samara House must first be addressed before any of these plans can move forward More details on the purchase will be discussed later in the paper, but the resolution of these zoning issues is crucial to the success of the proposed improvements

Figure 4: Zoning Map. Tippecanoe County

Figure 3: The Outside Front View of Samara. Lincoln, Maya.

Samara House is zoned as R1 (Single-Family Residential), designated for single-family residential use, according to the Tippecanoe County Government This zoning classification typically restricts most commercial activities. However, Samara House has been able to operate in a way that bypasses these restrictions by selling tickets online. Visitors to the property are referred to as "guests of the house" rather than traditional museum patrons, a designation that helps maintain the house’s original function while allowing a controlled flow of visitors.

Another factor that enables Samara House to continue its operations as it has is a provision known as "legal nonconforming use" or "grandfathered use " This provision allows properties to maintain the activities they conducted prior to certain zoning changes, in the case of West Lafayette, those in place before 1998 It refers to the use of a property that was lawfully established before the enactment of a zoning ordinance, and which can be maintained or continued after the effective date of the ordinance, even though it no longer complies with the new zoning restrictions. Zoning is forwardlooking, meaning new zoning rules are not retroactively applied to existing uses or structures. Legal nonconforming uses typically arise when zoning ordinances or map changes are enacted after the use in question has already begun

However, Samara House’s current zoning as Single-Family Residential has created some complications If the adjacent property, also zoned R1, were to be purchased, it would not be able to bypass zoning regulations, as it has always been used as a residential property and does not qualify for legal nonconforming use. To use the adjacent property as a visitor center for the Samara House, a modification to its current zoning designation would be required.

One pathway the House could pursue is rezoning

to R2, which would open the door for a broader range of commercial activities However, this approach presents challenges Rezoning would require approval through a vote by the West Lafayette City Council and rezoning a single property while leaving surrounding properties unchanged (known as spot zoning) is typically not supported by the Council. Due to these potential difficulties, rezoning to R2 is not the recommended course of action for the Samara House.

Alternatively, another way to address the zoning issue is to apply for a Special Exception, which would allow the House to function as a museum and potentially expand its use for events Museums are classified as “S” (Special) under the Unified Zoning Ordinance (UZO) table, meaning they may be permitted through the Special Exception process This would involve a public hearing conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Given the nature of the request, applying for a Special Exception is likely the most straightforward and feasible option for the two properties to continue their current and future operations legally.

As a museum, there is a wider range of commercial activities it is permitted to engage in. These activities are generally defined by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, which allow for the sale of tickets, souvenirs, and

Figure 5: Permitted Use Table. Area Plan Commission

other basic commercial transactions In addition to these activities, home-based businesses, such as small studios or craft shops, may also be permissible under the R1 zoning, provided they are considered home occupations However, the proposed use of the house as a venue for events might require adjustments to the current zoning, including the addition of facilities like restrooms.

Similar challenges related to visitor facilities and zoning constraints are evident at other Frank Lloyd Wright properties. For instance, Robie House in Chicago struggles with issues related to visitor capacity and amenities but benefits from the adaptive use of its garage as a gift shop and waiting area, providing essential services while preserving the house's integrity Similarly, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, despite being categorized under A-1 (Agricultural) zoning, operates a retail space through a special zoning exception, allowing for a more dynamic visitor experience and additional revenue generation This flexibility suggests that Samara could explore similar avenues to adapt its zoning and enhance its visitor services.

‘The Glass House’, designed by Philip Johnson, shares notable similarities with Samara in terms of zoning and capacity challenges. Both properties are subject to residential zoning, which inherently li it th b f i it th

community involvement and generate additional revenue At the Glass House, the inability to host large gatherings diminishes its potential as a cultural hub, much like how Samara's current operations are confined by its single-family residential designation.

Additionally, the lack of visitor amenities at both sites such as waiting areas and comfortable gathering spaces can detract from the overall guest experience. Visitors to the Glass House often encounter similar discomforts due to the absence of these facilities, leading to a less enjoyable visit. This issue is compounded by the fact that both properties attract enthusiasts and tourists who may have high expectations for the amenities typically available at museums or cultural sites

To effectively address the zoning issues at Samara House, the Samara’s stakeholders can pursue a multifaceted approach that includes developing a clear proposal for an application for a Special Exception, engaging the community through meetings to build support, and collaborating with local planning officials to navigate the regulatory landscape. Highlighting the economic benefits of increased visitor capacity through studies and showcasing successful case studies from other iconic house museums can bolster the argument for change Additionally, applying for conditional use permits may provide a viable alternative if a full zoning change is not feasible A strategic

business plan detailing operational management under the new zoning, along with environmental and cultural impact assessments, will help address concerns from the Zoning Hearing Board. Incorporating visitor feedback and emphasizing a commitment to preserving the historical integrity of the property while enhancing accessibility can further strengthen the case, ultimately fostering a collaborative effort to enhance Samara’s role as a cultural landmark in the community

In 2015, the John and Catherine Christian House, informally known as Samara House, was designated as a “National Historic Landmark” by the National Park Service (NPS). When a property located within the United States is recognized as a “National Historic Landmark”, it is formally recognized to be a site which has historical significance related to the United States. (National Park Service, 2023) The John and Catherine Christian House earned this title due to its unique, Usonian design by the world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright

Samara House being designated as a National Historic Landmark allows for the property and property owners to be eligible for both federal, state, and local grants that may aid them in further maintaining the quality of the architecture and its historical value These grants provide money for Samara House to obtain resources and cover maintenance costs for the National Historical Landmark’s upkeep. Specifically, by being a

National Historic Landmark, Samara House has received money from grants such as the ‘Save America’s Treasures’ which have allowed its intricate architecture to be protected. Furthermore, other local funds have supported Samara House because of this title, such as the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Fund, which aided Samara House in also covering material costs for upkeep Eligibility for these grants and funding can strengthen opportunities in providing a greater budget for Samara House for facilities such as buying the neighboring house, adding facilities such as bathrooms and drinking fountains, etc.

Along with these benefits that the John and Catherine Christian House obtains because of being a National Historic Landmark, it also provides it flexibility to host and engage in commercial, or revenue generating activities, despite its residential zoning status within the West Lafayette community (City of West Lafayette, 2024; Fayette County, 2024)

Specifically, Samara House can offer Special Events, such as lectures, small gatherings, speaker events, and more informal celebratory events such as weddings and more formal parties, by providing renting options to the interested group of people. During a previous class field trip to Samara House, a tour guide providing details about the house and its intricate patterns established this to already be an event that the house offers to potential customers, as her own wedding took place at this property. Other potential gatherings that could be implemented within the property that are also allowed due to Samara House’s National Historic Landmark status could be more educational, such as certain architectural design programs and workshops

Samara House, despite being zoned as a residential property, can also pursue other commercial endeavors that generate profit, such

Figure 7: Entrance to Samara Musson, Tim

as selling products to potential customers and tourists based on their overall brand These products could include branded books, items, and other souvenirs These profits could also further benefit Samara House in providing additional funds for maintaining future facilities within the property, such as bathrooms and water fountains, and potential refurbishing or renovations.

Finally, due to being titled as a National Historic Landmark in 2015, the John and Catherine Christian House can also host and charter membership and donation programs within the local neighborhood Certain patrons with large amounts of donations could have special perks compared to others, such as exclusive tours, events and community groups for larger donors, and additional limited edition merchandise

When determining inspiration for improving Samara House and making it more visitor-friendly, we looked at similar Frank Lloyd Wright properties that had similar zoning laws and restrictions to Samara House and still were able to accomplish providing more accommodating facilities to their guests. A specific house that was utilized for research was Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, in Chicago, Illinois.

The property currently in Chicago, Illinois that the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright himself lived in, called “Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio”, is itself zoned as a residential area by the local government Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio itself contained a lot of various design elements that were like Samara House Along with being residentially zoned, like Samara House, it also contains a lot of architectural styles that are like the West Lafayette property. Specifically, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, like Samara house, contains an “openspace” living room concept, which has been derived from Frank Lloyd Wright’s deep appreciation for his experiences living in the

prairies of his hometown Furthermore, like Samara, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio has a strong influence from nature, with the material choices such as a soft natural wood, large windows, and green colors mimicking and blending in with the outside forest landscape. Along with Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio’s architectural marvels, it also contains a lot of facilities accommodating tourists viewing the property, despite its residential zoning. This knowledge, of Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio being zoned as a residential property and still containing a visitor center, guided tours, and a souvenir shop aided us in determining the potential methods in which Samara House could construct the same facilities, despite also being categorized as a residential zone Specifically, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio applied and utilized specific permits to build visitor-friendly construction around the house, such as the Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs), which permit a property to renovate, if historical accuracy is maintained. Furthermore, other permits include Certificates of Advisory Review, which are applied for permission on constructing historical properties, such as visitor facilities (Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission, 2022). Samara House would require the same permits as Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio for renovations and the building of visitor-friendly facilities Furthermore, by controlling the amount of individuals being able to come into the house on a daily basis and other tourist traffic-related

Figure 8: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio Exterior Long, TIm

logistics likely aided Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in also maintaining a still, quiet neighborhood ambience in the area When constructing facilities for Samara House, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio’s organization could be utilized to determine logistics for Samara House

Currently Samara faces issues with the number of guests it can hold for bigger events Even the touring groups are relatively small, limiting groups to a maximum of 15 guests. The team at Samara can and does make exceptions for organizations and school groups, but this is not offered for a regular visitor or tourist. In the past they have held some bigger events like weddings or hosting Purdue students and faculty. Oftentimes those were easier to get approved because Dr. Christian was still alive and the owner, giving him final say

in what events could be held there and what was allowed. Now that Nathaniel Allaire works at the historic home and is employed by Indiana Landmarks there is less freedom because things have to be approved A huge problem with their inability to hold larger events has more to do with the home having no usable bathroom and their inability to allow food inside Events held inside the home would still have to be on the smaller side but using the outdoor space helps a lot, making the size less of an issue in comparison.

A potential solution to this issue would be purchasing the house for sale right next door and using it as a visitor’s center to combat the issues Samara currently faces. It must be taken into consideration that the home was originally on sale for $995,000 but it is currently listed at $798,000 after having four price cuts since June 2024. The

Figure 9A and 9B: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio Interior. Caulfield, James

home is a total of 4,528 square feet with three floors containing 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. If the Samara team decides to purchase the home, they would have the ability to decide which parts of the home would be accessible to guests. Nathaniel is the only paid employee with Samara right now and this home could offer a larger office space or even multiple offices The extra space could allow for more future employees or be used by their volunteers Even though it’s listed at around 800k right now the Samara staff has to factor in the renovations and potential maintenance the Samara team would be taking on to convert it into a visitors’ center. To prepare for this my team thinks it would be smart to set aside a budget of at least one million dollars to give the Samara team some wiggle room for the charges that will come up. They could also use any extra funding to make additions to the exterior like a path connecting the two properties. It would be an easy way to take the guests to and from Samara before and after tours. Having extra money would honestly be useful to be safe but also for any new ideas that may come up during the renovation

We had the opportunity to hear from a guest speaker who works at The Martin House in Buffalo, NY. This property ended up being a really helpful guide because as they began their restoration project and further expanded, they ended up purchasing the home behind The Martin House The home they bought had so much land which allowed them to build a visitor’s center in the backyard without having to demolish or alter the original home Their project was more expensive because of the location and because they had to build a whole new center instead of just converting the original home The whole neighborhood is historical and has many original buildings, so it was important to them to keep it there. At Samara there is not enough room on the property to do exactly what they did with The Martin House. Instead of building a separate visitor’s center we want to propose the idea of converting the property next door into a visitor’s center. Doing so could help Samara be able to host larger events where you can bring food and drinks inside. They would also be able to offer their visitors a usable bathroom, which is a big issue for them right now (Jessie Fisher, spoken presentation to author, November 5, 2024 )

Thinking about the three unrealized projects at the Samara that are all exterior projects, we think purchasing the house next door could be very beneficial. Having more land available as the projects start getting completed is very important, especially for the outdoor events. A lot of the events Samara has are held outside because no food is allowed inside. After the exterior projects are complete that could potentially limit what could be hosted outside even more. Having extra land next door could alleviate this problem. Although, a potential downside to this project is if the Samara team takes on the large cost it could further push back the dates for the final three projects to be finished I think they will have to weigh their options carefully and figure out what’s more beneficial to Samara right now

Figure 10: Exterior of Next Door Home ZIllow

Samara currently doesn’t even have enough money for the three unrealized projects so the Samara employees have to be creative when thinking of ways to raise money to buy an entire home When I asked the guest speaker about how they were able to afford purchasing the property behind The Martin House she explained there were several sources of funding. They received grants through the federal government and The State University of New York. There was also a public capital campaign and donations from various people, including neighbors within the community. The Martin House also received support from people with major influence which helped a lot. One being then-Senator Hilary Clinton who was pushing to raise money for the Home along with the chairman of M&T bank development company The chairman specifically still works closely with the home and is very involved Senators in New York also showed a lot of support and further influenced people to help their cause

It would be very difficult for Samara House to get

that level of support especially from people in high places like the senators We suggest Nathan could utilize the fact that Samara is so close to Purdue University and try to get someone like the university president involved in fundraising for the home He could leverage the fact that the home has a lot to offer especially in terms of education because our whole class focus is on the home. If you think about how Purdue has recently received millions from donors and companies to build new buildings for pharmacy and business students it is not unreasonable to think someone would want to get involved in funding this project. Even the new dormitories that are currently in construction got funding from private donors. I think getting the president's endorsement would help us gain more awareness on the home and simultaneously attract more donors I think this is essential because I know I didn’t know there was a Frank Lloyd Wright Home this close to campus prior to taking this course so I am sure many other Purdue students and faculty are also unaware There is also money expected to come in from Linda who is the daughter or Dr. Christian

Figure 11: Bird’s Eye View of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House. Source: WRIGHTSociety.com

that recently passed in July 2024. When I last spoke with Nathan they were not sure just how much money they would receive. I am pretty confident in saying it’s not enough to purchase the home but it would definitely help. In comparison to Martin House, they had to raise much more money than Samara would need for this project The Martin House consists of several buildings and over the course of thirty years they raised 50 million dollars That money did not just go toward adding the visitor’s center though They had an entire restoration project for the several buildings on the property Luckily Samara has been pretty well preserved over the years so the Samara team doesn’t have to take that on.

Since they don’t need to raise as much money as they did for Martin House a quicker turnaround is expected with fundraising but it will still take some time. Time is a concern because no one can guarantee how long the house will remain on the market. The longer it stays on the market the better for us because that would most likely lead to more price cuts Waiting too long would be a

missed opportunity there is no other space nearby to have a visitor’s center. It is very important that Samara gets the funding as quickly as possible. I think it is also important to lay out our plans for the visitor’s center even before purchasing the property. Having the ability to show donors our exact plans and get feedback can help us gain support and give donors a clearer idea of how their money is being used I know they have also received money from the Frank Lloyd Wright foundation in the past for upkeep of the house so potentially Nathan could get them on board for this as well

Meredith Benhart, a groupmate’s sorority sister, happens to have lived in the neighborhood where Samara is located her whole life. Obviously, because of zoning laws, Samara is allowed to give tours because it is designated a house museum. We wanted to hear from someone in the community to learn more about any potential issues Samara and its visitors might be causing in the neighborhood. We also wanted to find out how often the community members engage with and

Figure 12: Mock Design of Visitor’s Center.

visit the home Especially with Nathan being a new hire and new to the community we want to see how the community currently feels and what he could do to engage with the neighbors and/or fix any problems. I asked her the following questions and her answers are listed below.

1) Have there been any issues during the touring season with how crowded your neighborhood gets? (Ex: cars parked on the street)

A:The street does tend to get congested on days of tours, but they’re typically in the morning and the street clears out by the afternoon

2) Have you ever seen or heard of any events going on at the home? Do they give the neighborhood notice?

A: The only event I’m aware of is a neighborhood cleanup that The Samara House participates in and advertises, which the neighborhood greatly appreciates. My family has never been bothered by any large events or noise from the house.

3) Have you or your family members ever personally toured the home? If yes, how many times?

A: Yes, I have toured the house once and my parents have two or three times.

4) When your parents purchased the home were you made aware of Samara before buying it?

A:Yes

5) Are there any issues with people cutting across your property to get to the home or parking in front of your house?

A: People occasionally cut through our yard to get to The Samara House, but since mulching the path a few years back it has gotten drastically better. It’s never been any more than a minor issue.

(Meredith Benhart, email message to author, November 11, 2024.)

Overall it is clear that Samara has not been a significant hindrance to those living in the community I know one of our concerns is new people matriculating into the community and not embracing the home as past neighbors have. After giving this interview I don’t think that is likely because Meredith was not an original member of the neighborhood. Her family moved there when she was about 5 years old, around fourteen years ago. I think the main thing that will continue to prevent any issues among new community members is the full disclosure of Samara being in the neighborhood and what that may entail

I think it’s also important to work with and get to know people that live in the community You can read above about how there were some minor issues with people cutting across Meredith’s property but that issue has subsided after Samara added in the mulching path on the grounds of their property. This not only helped the Samara visitors but also helped alleviate problems for the members within the community. We think continued communication and check-ins with the neighbors and receptiveness to their issues will keep them happy. If the workers at Samara can continue to come up with solutions to any issues living next to the home may be causing, it will help us earn their support in keeping Samara open and being able to offer tours

In conclusion, Samara House is a remarkable example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy and a valuable cultural and educational asset However, its expansion requires addressing zoning challenges and enhancing visitor amenities. By implementing strategies such as applying for a Special Exception and securing funding for the purchase and renovation of the adjacent property, the Samara team can overcome these obstacles and maintain the house’s historical integrity.

EVENT PLANNING AT SAMARA EVENT PLANNING AT SAMARA HOUSE HOUSE

Authors

Atharv Bhatter College of Engineering

Sophia Vina College of Liberal Arts

Background

Samara House, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, stands as a testament to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural brilliance and his philosophy of harmonizing nature with modern living. Designed for university professors John and Catherine Christian, the house represents a unique collaboration where the clients granted Wright full creative freedom, a rare occurrence in his career This relationship allowed Wright to design every aspect of the home, from its structural elements to its furnishings, linens, and even the toilet paper holders Named after the winged seeds of the pine trees surrounding it, the Samara House reflects Wright’s Usonian style, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to its natural setting.

The house’s design incorporates elements that merge indoor and outdoor spaces, such as an open-concept living room and glass doors leading to a terrace. The structure features mahogany brickwork and intricate clerestory wood cutouts that create dynamic visual effects, blending with the surrounding woodland The property’s interdisciplinary appeal stems not only from its architectural significance but also from its integration with the intellectual and natural environment of Tippecanoe County Its designation as a National Historic Landmark underscores its importance as a cultural and architectural treasure, meeting Criteria 4 for its contribution to the theme of "Expressing Cultural Values" through architecture and landscape design.

Introduction

In 2023, the Samara House underwent a comprehensive $1 6 million restoration, funded by a $500,000 Save America’s Treasures grant, private donations, and support from the John E Christian Family Memorial Trust. This meticulous project preserved the house’s original features, from its furniture and rugs to its decorations and architectural details, ensuring it remains true to Wright’s and the Christians’ vision. The home’s first full-time curator, Nathan Allaire, emphasized that the restoration aimed to maintain the

immersive experience the Christians intended, avoiding barriers or alterations that could detract from its authenticity

The restoration also introduced new opportunities for public engagement, including expanded tours and event programming, while remaining committed to preserving the house's historic integrity

As the house transitions into a venue for hosting events, it faces challenges in balancing increased visitation with conservation efforts. Drawing inspiration from other Wright properties like Taliesin West, Samara adopts measures such as outdoor-focused events, limiting indoor access, and curating approved vendor partnerships to minimize wear on the structure. Seasonal considerations, such as hosting larger gatherings from May to October, help protect the property from adverse weather conditions while providing opportunities for year-round indoor tours By fostering connections with local businesses and ensuring events align with the Christians’ vision, the Samara House not only preserves Wright’s architectural legacy but also promotes community involvement and appreciation for the arts, engineering, and natural sciences.

The management at Samara House is currently looking to expand its programming to host smallscale events, aiming to create an experience that both maintains the property’s historic value and welcomes new clientele and experience. With a maximum of 40 guests, the gatherings proposed by the team of students include corporate functions, small wedding receptions, private gatherings, community engagement functions, and many more that aim to offer a similar yet unique experiences to that of another historic home in Lafayette, IN: Fowler House, or and Taliesin-West, also designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Arizona For these proposed events to be successful, the team has outlined a framework for a few of the potential events which could be hosted at Samara, ensuring the historic architecture and surrounding environment behosted at Samara, ensuring the historic

architecture and surrounding environment be preserved and upheld for the sustainability of the property and its relation to the neighborhood

One key aspect of hosting these events is the consideration of third-party vendors Organizing food services, amenities, and entertainment requires a careful, structured framework that reflects the standards and integrity of the Indiana Landmarks organization and the John E. Christian Family Memorial Trust. To do so the team of students working on this project drew inspiration from Taliesin West which holds a diverse roster of local vendors to carry out their events. Hosting events like the one described later in this paper presents an exciting opportunity to increase public engagement, but it will require careful planning and investment in infrastructure, establishing a strong volunteer base, and creating strong long-lasting partnerships By addressing these logistical challenges, the stewards of Samara House can continue to honor the Christians' legacy while serving as a vibrant cultural hub in West Lafayette

Policies & Event Guidelines

The goal for events at Samara House is to make connections across the community and serve as a continuation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s mission to have a timeless addition to the West Lafayette area Potential events are based both upon requests Nathan has received from word of mouth and consideration of the target demographic, namely the Greater Lafayette area and the Purdue Campus

Utilizing the structure of the Taliesin West guidelines that reflect the open-air formation of events hosted by the house, we have curated a sample brochure. The complete brochure can be viewed in the Samara House Event Brochure.pdf he team will represent Samara House and work with prospective clients to coordinate timing with venue rental and vendors on this historic property

A tour date will be agreed upon between the event team, Samara staff, and the client to better understand the space, and the client’s vision for their event. From there a contract can be agreed upon, along with the list of approved vendors, with whom the team would contract to create menus, rent furniture & stage décor, as well as any other additional services

Visit Samara

Prospective clients are encouraged to schedule an exclusive tour of Samara House during regular business hours. The Samara event planning team will escort clients through the property, providing insights about each event space to showcase what Samara has to offer Comprehensive information is available in the client onboarding documents, which outline clear guidelines for event handling Please see Initial Information Prospective Clients pdf

Booking

Booking a private event at Samara includes exclusive access to the entire property for the event. While guests are restricted to designated event areas, they can explore additional spaces as part of a guided tour. Due to high demand, dates fill up quickly To accommodate planning, a omplimentary 14-day hold can be placed on any

available date and venue after a contract is issued by Samara House management After the hold period, dates and venues are not guaranteed without a signed contract and a 50% deposit Additional details are provided in the Contracts section

Figure 2: Example of General Event Layout Blueoutdoor event space Green- permitted indoor area Yellow- additional amenities.

Permitted Events

Corporate private events

Fundraisers not in conflict with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s mission

Wedding ceremonies

Photography sessions

Events affiliated with Purdue University

Family/small private gatherings

Prohibited Events

Events open to the public

External customer marketing and/or sales events

Religious or political events

Wedding receptions

Any activity or event which may result in damage or disturbance to Samara House

Fundraisers

One possible event suggested by Nathan is a formal fundraising event for Indiana Landmarks or for Purdue University Factors to consider include proximity to the school, reaching a demographic more likely to support Samara House, and building a strong, positive association of Samara with the community.

Figure 1: Photograph of Samara House Living Room (photographer unknown, n d , West Lafayette, IN, Homepage - Samara House)

Suggested Events

Family/Small Private Gatherings

Another personal suggestion was to accommodate small family gatherings as the community around Samara is quite strong Samara would work closely with the client to accommodate the wishes of the party, following the guidelines in the brochure to ensure that the event abides with all the rules and regulations established in the contract.

Corporate Events

Corporate events at Samara could be hosted by private companies looking to plan an evening/dinner at the Samara location Students and faculty could host a Sustainability and Innovation Symposium, where corporate teams and Purdue environmental science, engineering, and architecture faculty could participate, presenting on topics like sustainable building practices, green technology, and environmentally conscious corporate strategies. On occasion, the intimate yet inspiring space of Samara can be used for a day long retreat, where companies could host activities designed to encourage reflection and strategic thinking within a peaceful, inspiring environment

Photography Sessions

To utilize the beauty of Samara House’s interior and exterior, photography sessions can be booked by interested individuals. Photographers will have to be provided through an external booking, not affiliated with Samara House. Events like this should be short, lasting between 30 minutes to an hour, allowing for tours and other bookings throughout the rest of the day.

5: Example of a photography session inside Samara (AI Image generated by DALL E 2OpenAI- Nov 14, 2024)

Wedding Ceremonies

The setup for a wedding event is a configuration of Figure 3, where an altar can be set up in the space depicted in Figure 8. For larger events requiring food, drinks, furniture, and amenities, the outdoor event space can be utilized to the maximum capacity of 40 people Cost and time

Figure 3: Example of a Fundraising event on the patio (AI Image generated by DALL E 2 - OpenAI- Nov 14, 2024)

Figure 4: Example of Small private event on the patio (AI Image generated by DALL E 2 - OpenAI- Nov. 14, 2024)

Figure

spent at the house can be greatly reduced for smaller weddings, if guests would like to simply exchange vows and visit the surrounding Lafayette area for a meal

6: Outdoor

Figure 7: Example of a proposed wedding setup

Community Nights

Samara’s aim as always is to foster a sense of connection, being a place of cultural rhetoric for the West Lafayette community Through coordination with the Trust, Samara hopes to host a number of community nights, inviting residents from the West Lafayette area to gather and experience the history and architecture of a FLW property. The events will increase accessibility for local neighbors, providing them the opportunity to explore all Samara has to offer their community. By opening its doors, Samara hopes to strengthen its relationship with the newer community as it did with the older residents, and build a network of long-lasting, local support and appreciation for years to come.

Wine Appreciation Nights

Purdue students and faculty can appreciate wine along with the serene environment of Samara House One avenue in which this can be made possible is by connecting with the Purdue Wine Tasting class, FS 47000, and club Local wineries and wine shops can be contacted on special occasions to provide the wine, and tables and chairs can be set up in the outdoor events space.

Figure 8: Example of wine appreciation gathering out on Samara’s patio (AI Image generated by DALL·E 2OpenAI- Nov. 14, 2024)

Purdue Alumni Night

Samara House can partner with Purdue University to bring Purdue alumni back to campus for a morning/mid-day event Graduates can reminisce on their time here while experiencing the laid back, relaxed atmosphere that Samara has to offer Food and drinks will be provided through the university, and people can relax and take breaks inside the house

Figure 9: Example of Purdue Alumni night at Samara (AI Image generated by DALL·E 2 - OpenAI- Nov. 14, 2024)

Parking/transportation

LAFAYETTE LIMO CHARTER | website: lafayettelimo.com | phone: 765.497.3828

Figure

Area of Samara House

Food/Drink

BISTRO 501 | website: bistro501.com | phone: 765.423.4501

OUTPOST CATERING | website: outpostcatering.com | phone: 765.471.1706

RIPPLE & CO. | website: rippleandcompany com/catering | phone: 765 450 1060 | email: taia@rippleandcompany com

HOMESTEAD BUTTERY | website: homesteadbuttery com/catering | phone: 219 208 1422

DELUXE BARTENDING | website: deluxebartendingservice.com | phone: 877.879.7958

Furniture

MIDWEST RENTALS | website: midwestrentalsinc com | phone: 765 423 5543

Vendor Selection Rubric

The vendor selection rubric (Figure 10) ensures that local vendors are held to a standard when being selected for integration with Samara House. Factors such as the vendor’s organization, content, quality, pricing, and sustainability are all given up to 4 points, allowing for a thorough analysis of each vendor Overall, the rubric serves as a guideline for future vendors, and the criteria can be changed, as the local communities continue to develop and evolve Utilizing that information and cross-referencing the base pricing set out by the Taliesin West venue brochure, we were able to estimate the starting cost of events Samara would be able to host, adjusting for the smaller guest limit.

Music

MUSICA ELEGANTE | website: thebash.com/string-quartet/musica-elegante

LOUIS PETTINELLI JAZZ ENTERTAINMENT | website:gigsalad.com/louis pettinelli entertainme nt

PURDUE STRINGS | website: purdue edu/bands/book-an-ensemble | email: abodony@purdue edu

PURDUE JAZZ | website: purdue edu/bands/book-an-ensemble | email: harri888@purdue edu

Additional Amenities WRIGHT FLOWER SHOP | website: wrightflowershop.com | phone: 765.743.2000

MCKINNEY’S FLOWERS | website: mckinneysflowers.com | phone:

Contracts

The client will be liable for the initial 50% deposit at the time of booking and reserving the date of the event. The additional 50% deposit as well as catering/ vendor fees with a definitive guest number will be due 14 business days prior to the event.

This agreement of deposit and payment was affirmed by Nathan and was inspired by the Taliesin clause in their private events pamphlet which cites “A deposit of 50% of the total contracted amount is due with submission of your signed contract The remaining 50% of the total contracted amount is due 30 days prior to the event You may pay via credit card or check All checks should be made payable to Indiana Landmarks. An event venue is not guaranteed until your signed contract and deposit are received.” (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 2024) The fully synthesized contract can be viewed here: Event Planning Contract Samara.pdf.

Cost Breakdown

Samara House is currently functioning as a nonprofit organization and any event held by Samara will have to be organized in such a way the trust continues to function as such This is why all events will have to be structured iso that all costs will go directly to vendors, partners, etc Nathan was kind enough to send our team the breakdown of typical costs at Samara house to get an estimate of what the utilities might look like if increasing the number of events held at the house

Event costs include setup, internal staff, and coverage of utilities, all expressed in the first 50% deposit. Additional costs incurred would be agreed upon during the consultation, and be dependent on the guest count, vendor contracts, and logistics needs. Additional discounts, add-ons, and flexibility in pricing would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but exceptions might include booking multiple events throughout the years (especially for clubs or Purdue events) or nonprofit

status/ community engagement initiatives Event pricing is based on season, taking into consideration demand during less desirable times of year for outdoor events

Figure 11: Pricing of Venue Options at Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 2024)

Figure 10: Rubric to select vendors for Samara House

Conclusion

The proposed framework for event planning at Samara House has been thoughtfully prepared to reflect the trust’s commitment to preserving Samara in its current condition, retaining its community-focused vision just as Frank Lloyd Wright intended By utilizing the outdoor spaces, the plan reflects the harmony of Samara’s Usonian style, emphasizing the relationship between nature and architecture while keeping the interior of the home clear from any potential damage The curated selection of vendors, designated event areas, customizable contracts, and structured pricing is intended to streamline the logistics of future events. From private fundraisers to community-supported events, the hope is for Samara to strengthen its connections to the West Lafayette community and beyond, preserving its place as a historic and architectural haven while building a foundation of purpose for the property’s ongoing relevance and financial support for generations to come.

To further this vision, the Samara event planning team has coordinated with Dr Shinyong Jung, a professor in the White Lodging-J W Marriott, Jr School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) here at Purdue University Dr Jung has proposed offering a Capstone course next semester for students to plan and coordinate third-party events at Samara, incorporating suggestions outlined by the team’s work this semester. This collaboration aims to provide practical experience for HTM students while fostering innovative event strategies that align with Samara’s preservation goals and community-focused mission.

The team looks forward to seeing how this project continues to evolve and contribute to Samara’s ongoing conservation efforts

Figure 12: Samara Base Pricing for Events

PLANNING FOR INCOMPLETE PROJECTS AT SAMARA HOUSE

Authors

Devansh Kejriwal

Daniel’s School of Business

Ahumuza Muzoora College of Pharmacy

Mary Francis College of Engineering

Background

Samara House, also known as The John and Catherine Christian House, is an iconic home located in West Lafayette, Indiana It was designed by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright for the Christian family Dr John Christian was a nationally recognized expert in the application of nuclear physics to biology, playing a crucial role in establishing the Department of Bionucleonics at Purdue University, where he served as a faculty member He married Catherine Christian, who managed the emblematic Purdue Memorial Union. Together, they decided to build a new home, which led to the construction of Samara

In their search for an architect, Dr. Christian contacted Frank Lloyd Wright, already worldrenowned for his designs, including the famous

Fallingwater House. By chance, Wright himself answered the phone and agreed to take on the project. Construction of Samara House began in 1954 and was completed in 1956. Nearly 60 years later, in 2015, the site was declared a National Historic Landmark (“Homepage - Samara House” 2024)

Samara House is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian house designs (Yu 2015) "Usonian," derived from "United States of America" and Wright's concept of "organic architecture," refers to a series of homes designed to be affordable yet modern. The Samara House embodies these ideals, featuring an open floor plan, built-in furniture, and large windows that blend the interior space with the surrounding landscape. The house also incorporates unique geometric patterns and colors inspired by nature, further demonstrating Wright’s design philosophy.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the house is the "samara" motif, which represents a winged seed in motion (“Homepage - Samara House” 2024) This theme is consistently present throughout the house, seen in walls, shelves, tables, and chairs (Sanchez, 2023) The samara seed, known for its spinning motionas it falls to the ground, symbolizes the cycle of life. In addition to the samara motif, the house boasts several distinctive architectural elements,

including extended roofs symbolic of the prairie, horizontal lines reflected in brick patterns and bookshelves that extend across windows, and the use of only 90-degree angles, representing simplicity

Another distinguishing feature of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work that can be seen in Samara’s design is the influence of Japanese culture. Frank Lloyd Wright had a lasting fascination with Japanese culture, which shaped many of the principles and details that characterize his work. This passion began early in his career when he started collecting Japanese woodblock prints. These prints, with their geometric beauty, simplicity, and celebration of natural forms, inspired him to explore similar concepts in his own work His work on the Robie House in Chicago, for example, embodies this admiration through its long, low profile that integrates seamlessly into the flat Midwestern prairie landscape a nod to the subtle presence of traditional Japanese homes. Wright’s stylized use of natural motifs, such as birds and plants in the art glass windows of the Robie House, also reflects the harmony found in Japanese art. This connection to Japanese design is further evident in his Taliesin homes, where he incorporated natural materials, tranquil gardens, and flowing water features to evoke the reflective, serene qualities of Japanese gardens and temples (“Wright & Japan – Teaching by Design,” n d )

Over the years, Samara House has maintained its original design with minimal alterations The most significant updates include replacing the carpets due to regular wear and tear, addressing roof leakage issues, updating the heating system, and laying bricks in the driveway for safety during winter (Sanchez, 2023). Today, the management of Samara continues to preserve Frank Lloyd Wright’s original vision with the help of the Samara Trust Fund (Yu 2015).

Due to multiple factors, such as time and budget constraints, John and Catherine Christian were unable to fully realize their vision for Samara House There are multiple missing additions; the couple wanted to add the following:

1.Koi fish pond/fountain

2.A gate on top of the driveway (replicating the one at the bottom)

3.Japanese pagoda-style lighting along the mulch path (2 out of 5 are already in place)

These modifications are definitely realizable, but they have to be undertaken with care and precision, so the existing structure is not compromised Fortunately, other Frank Lloyd properties have received preservation efforts These can serve as a starting point for our work

One property that has undergone preservation is Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin At this property, they chose to restore it by choosing what they deemed as the most relevant time period of the home’s existence to reference. The 1950s was chosen, and they extended that inspiration from the house to the landscape, going as far as using old photos to plant the exact same type of plants in the same places. They also took time to uncover the remnants of what the house once was to best preserve its historical integrity. Another crucial thing they did was thoroughly document the choices they made and the techniques they used for restoration For our project, we may benefit from a similar approach

We could focus on the time of Samara’s initial construction to decide the best design for the additions Thorough documentation of the changes made would help future preservation efforts as well (About Taliesin Preservation 2023).

Another house with similar issues is the Samuel and Dorothy Eppstein House. Their preservation efforts involved rehabilitation through the addition of modern technology.

Plumbing and electricity were updated to meet modern standards. Climate control was also added throughout the home (Carpenter-Ross 2024). These changes were made to ensure the longevity of the home, even though they didn’t align with historical accuracy. This could be applied to additions to Samara House. For example, the lights and the design could be inspired by Wright’s work and the time period, but they could make use of modern technology

The preservation and maintenance of many Frank Lloyd Wright’s properties are overseen by organizations such as the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy These organizations could be a source of information and aid. They likely have records of past efforts at other properties as well as any of Wright’s papers. If contact can be made, they could also offer advice and financial aid. Money is always a major factor and will have to be brought into consideration as this project moves forward. Existing preservation organizations, fundraising, and advertising could all be beneficial. Purdue students could also be a valuable resource; with such a large student population, finding students willing to participate in an effort to restore a local West Lafayette historical property is definitely possible

Introduction

When incorporating the new additions to Samara House, it's crucial to take into mind multiple aspects to ensure that the design interpretation aligns with Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural intentions while maintaining the house’s historic significance The additions must adhere to preservation standards, safeguarding the architectural integrity of the house without compromising its structure or design, that is, we are to consider the design specifications both in terms of functional and non-functional requirements to preserve the essence of the Samara House

Among the three projects, it is expected that the

fountain will be completed first. This is because it is considered the most significant addition to the home. The gate that will be installed at the top of the driveway is similar in design to the one that already exists on the bottom which is why it is not the highest priority. Furthermore, out of a total of 5 pagoda style lights, 2 already exist which is why adding more lights doesn’t add a new feature to Samara

We will now discuss the fountain, the lights, and the gate in further detail, looking at aspects such as the design, construction, and maintenance Later, we will talk about the costs of constructing these projects and how the Samara management team can potentially fund these projects

Koi Fish Pond/Fountain

Designing the Fountain

Figure 1 is an original drawing from Frank Lloyd Wright’s papers that maps a part of the house. The area marked as ‘Pool’ has been designated as the location for the fountain. This is located in the Lanai, opposite the bedroom wing. It can be interpreted that Frank Lloyd Wright intends to shape the fountain as a sector of a circle, with the corner of the Lanai marking the midpoint.

Figure 3 gives us a clearer look at the area where the fountain is located, allowing for a more realistic visualization

For the actual design of the pond, there are limited comprehensible drawings, so we will combine these with similar designs seen in other Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses. Below are sketches that show a part of the pond’s design.

From Figure 3, we can observe the different layers of the fountain; this would be ideal considering Wright’s emphasis on the horizontal line. We see an underground pump, plus three layers labeled sections A through C.

From Figure 4, we can see a slightly more detailed look into Section A of the fountain Section A is the topmost section; it contains the actual fountain with water sprouting upward and an underwater light Some of the building materials, like weathered stone and copper, are also mentioned in the drawings We have limited information about Sections B and C

Figure 2: Floor Plan of Samara House; Source: "Frank Lloyd Wright Concepts- Teaching by Design," n d

Figure 3: Photo taken of the fountain's location; Photo taken by Devansh Kejriwal

Figure 4: Birds-eye view blueprint of the pond; Source: Samara House Archives

To further understand more regarding the fountain, looking into other Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses was essential. One key to finding this was in the house Fallingwater. Fallingwater is likely the most iconic site by Wright, and it does contain certain Japanese architectural features that are also seen in Samara’s designs, the most prominent being the fountain in Figure 6

This fountain mimics the shape of the lamps located in Samara’s living room and also follows a Japanese contemporary style design Both of these points together make it an ideal fountain to consider while designing Samara’s fountain. We can also see the multiple-layered design and understand somewhat about Sections B and C, which we don’t have clear drawings for.

Based on interpretations of the drawings and the fountain at Fallingwater, Figure 7, has our design ideas for the fountain and pond.

Koi Pond Care Guidelines (Maintenance)

A koi pond will be a beautiful addition to Samara House, but it will require a lot of care and intention. The design should not have many corners that can cause water stagnation. If possible, there should be some shade over the pond to control algae growth and keep a temperate environment for the fish The liner should be of good quality and be installed properly to avoid leaking The pond will also need a pump, which contributes to the elevated cost The pump needs to circulate 1 5 of the pond’s volume each hour Selecting the correct size filter for the pond’s capacity is important as well. The sourcing of the koi is also extremely important. It’s important that they come from a safe, reliable source. In addition, it’s important to hire a professional for installation. Feeding is an aspect to be mindful of. As koi fish grow, they eat more. It’s important to keep an eye on them during feeding sessions and to take note of when they become disinterested in food. The water temperature will also affect feeding; koi metabolism changes based on the temperature During the winter, koi fish eat less, and in the summer, they eat more An auto feeder can be installed if no one is available to feed the fish every day (Spiridon, Sinziana 2023)

Figure 5: Side view blueprint of the pond; Source: Samara House Archives

Figure 6: Fountain from FallingWater House; Source: "FallingWater Concrete Fountain" 2024

Figure 7: Potential Designs for the fountain and koi pond; Source: Hand-drawn sketch by Ahumuza Muzoora

Keeping the pond clean is another essential step of koi pond maintenance. The best way to maintain the koi ecosystem is to regularly scoop out floating leaves and debris. It’s worthwhile to spend either a few minutes daily or set aside time a few times a week to clean up. A hand net can be used to remove fallen leaves, twigs, and sticks, as well as vegetable residue from any aquatic plants present in the pond It is also important to remove plastic, and any other debris found in the pond Once a week, after adding fresh water, and following heavy storms the water needs to be tested for multiple things This includes the water pH, the levels of nitrates, the levels of phosphates, and the levels of ammonia. These tests can all be performed with a strip test or a liquid test kit. The water temperature should be checked with a pond thermometer. The oxygen levels also need to be checked and can be checked with a digital dissolved oxygen meter. The pH should be between 6.5 to 8.5, ammonia and nitrate should be ideally at zero or as loud as possible, phosphate should be under 0.05 parts per million, dissolved oxygen should be between 6 to 8 parts per million, and the water temperature should be between 65° to 87° F Look out for signs of oxygen depletion Signs such as fish coming up for air often, algae blooming, high levels of ammonia and nitrates, and the water surface being covered in plant residue The water needs to be refreshed regularly; 10-15% should be replaced once a week or at worst, once a month, and in the summer up to 25%. The water should be replaced slowly to not cause a sudden drastic change in the temperature. The water needs to be dechlorinated as well before being added to the pond. Adding good bacteria can help as well. A skimmer can be added to collect floating debris throughout the week. The filter needs to be cleaned every 3-4 months, based on the size of the pond (Spiridon, Sinziana 2023)

The winter months require some extra considerations such as turning off waterfalls and fountains, adding an aerator, installing a de-icer, spreading a net over the pond’s surface, and

emptying the filtration system (if temperatures fall below freezing). Plants can be a beautiful addition to the pond but if they are added it’s important to maintain them and prevent overgrowth. Plants in a koi pond shouldn’t cover more than 50% of the water’s surface. It is not only important to avoid crowding with plants, but also not to crowd the pond with fish Lastly, the pond should be cleaned professionally once a year Clearly, there is a lot to take care of when there is a koi pond on the property Despite a koi pond being part of the desired additions, it may be worth considering whether or not following through with it is a good idea It’s a big commitment for a small property with few custodians. (Spiridon, Sinziana. 2023)

Water Piping

Implementing the Koi Pond with the water fountain will require careful consideration of water supply, drainage, water piping, etc. The design will have to ensure reliable water flow, easy maintenance, and minimal structural impact Here are water source options to supply water to the fountain within the koi pond

Option 1: Direct connection to an existing water source While this would give a steady and automatic supply, this option needs routing pipes from the house to the balcony (admin 2020) Not only does it need careful drilling to avoid altering key structural elements, but it will also most certainly guarantee some changes to the existing structure in some form. Furthermore, the piping can be hidden under the flooring or within planter beds along the balcony’s edges.

Option 2: Self-Contained Water System. This option involves using a self-contained water reservoir, which recirculates water from the koi pond to the fountain A submersible pump would continuously cycle the water, reducing the need for a permanent water connection (admin 2020) It comes with added maintenance due to the different weather conditions observed in Indiana For example, the need to occasionally refill the pond during winter to maintain water levels due to

Figure 8: Self-contained water system;

Source: Oase AquaMax Eco Classic Pond Pumps – 1200 GPH – 40347 – “AZPonds & Supplies,” 2023

evaporation. However, this design minimizes the need for plumbing changes to the existing structure of the house and reduces water waste too, if that is a concern.

Therefore, the recommended approach would be to go with Option 2 as it’s ideal for preserving structural integrity

Some additional considerations could be incorporating a flow control valve to allow adjustments in the fountain height and water flow An overflow drain can be installed near the top of the pond to allow excess water to exit, particularly during heavy rains or if additional water is added accidentally. A maintenance drain should also be installed at the bottom of the pond, to allow water to be fully drained when needed. As for the material, using durable, UV-resistant, and waterproof flexible PVC piping would be standard. A copper plating layer could give the desired

aesthetic appeal to the visible sections of the fountain piping (Wallace, 2019).

Electrical Components of the Pond

The electrical needs for the Koi Pond and Water Fountain require much consideration Waterproof LED lighting for the koi pond should be low voltage to ensure safety RGB LED options could offer adjustable colors, allowing a range of soft, ambient lighting effects (Ultra Beam Lighting, 2024) The water fountain’s pump will need reliable power A separate transformer can make maintenance simpler and prevent overloading other circuits. All water feature components, including lighting and the pump, must be grounded to avoid potential electrical hazards in proximity to water (Childress, 2021). Since Indiana weather can be variable, ensuring all outdoor electrical elements are rated for extreme temperatures and moisture is essential. Regular maintenance and checks, particularly before winter, will keep these systems operating smoothly and safely Smart controls for scheduling lighting and fountain operation times will conserve energy while adding convenience

The next incomplete project we will be discussing in depth is the pagoda-style lights located along the mulch path

Design Elements of Pagoda-Style Lighting

Vision

Guided by Wright’s core principles to preserve harmony with the original architecture, we hope to delve a little deeper into the aesthetic consistency and Frank Lloyd Wright's vision. A key concept in Wright’s work is the “path of discovery,” where entrances are purposefully inconspicuous, leading visitors to explore and engage with the space in unexpected ways Reflecting this concept, the winding mulch path will be subtly enhanced by Japanese-style lights, casting a gentle glow that guides visitors toward the entrance

Figures 9-12 are of the light designs.

Organic Architecture

Wright’s “light screens” (Figure 13) geometric abstractions and bold color touches in his designs unique to each project will inspire additional hanging lights featuring the Samara motif. These lights will add a layer of rhythm and repetition. The pattern also reinforces the natural themes that are central to the house’s identity. The hanging lights will be placed along key sightlines, creating an interplay of light and shadow that deepens the organic ambiance Wright envisioned The koi pond, integrated naturally into the landscape, enhances the sense of organic architecture by blending natural forms and materials, further reflecting Wright’s vision of harmony between the structure and its environment (“Frank Lloyd Wright Concepts –Teaching by Design,” n.d.)

To complement these additions, copper a material Wright often used for its earthly warmth and durability will be incorporated, particularly in the koi pond and hanging lights. This will provide a subtle contrast against the concrete and wood of the house, without overwhelming them. Copper will also create a visual rhythm,

Figure 10: Standing Pagoda Light; Source: Photo taken by Mary Francis at Samara House (2nd Image)

Figure 12: Drawing of pagoda lights; Source "Samara House: Library of Congress "

Figure 11: Drawing of hanging lights; Source: "Samara House: Library of Congress "

Figure 13: Future design elements at Samara House; Source: "Frank Lloyd Wright Concepts- Teaching by Design," n d

Figure 9: Hanging Pagoda Light; Source: Samara House Archives (1st Image)

echoing the eaves of the roof and maintaining a continuous flow that aligns with Wright’s use of repetition and rhythm to unify design elements. The result will be a balanced, cohesive aesthetic that respects Samara’s original color palette and textures while enhancing its natural beauty (“Frank Lloyd Wright Concepts – Teaching by Design,” n.d.)

Electric Considerations for the Lights

Incorporating modern electrical and control options can enhance functionality, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal while respecting Frank Lloyd Wright’s design principles For the mulch path lighting, we can explore some modern garden lighting options. Solar-powered lights could eliminate much of the need for underground wiring. However, solar lights require adequate sunlight exposure and may not provide consistent brightness, especially in shaded areas. Smart lights can be set to turn on automatically at dusk, and dim for energy conservation. Motion sensors can also be added to the pathway to improve energy efficiency by activating lights only when movement is detected Finally, if we wanted to keep things simple, we could go with batteryoperated lights with long-lasting rechargeable batteries that only need occasional maintenance and cause no structural changes to the house (Ultra Beam Lighting, 2024)

The last incomplete project that needs to be explored is the gate at the top of the driveway.

Gate at the Top of the Driveway

The new driveway gate, a replica of the existing design, will maintain the symmetry and horizontal lines characteristic of Samara’s Prairie Style (“Frank Lloyd Wright Concepts – Teaching by Design,” n d ) Figure 14 shows an image of the gate and Figure 15 is a blueprint of the gate

The gate is of great importance to Samara not just because of its unique design, but also because of its functionality. The top of the driveway leads to Northwestern Avenue, the main road that leads to

Figure 14: Samara House Driveway; Source: "Homepage- Samara House" 2024

Figure 15: Gate Blueprint; Source: Samara House Archives

Samara’s neighborhood This road is a common route for cars, buses, and even pedestrians Currently, the top of the driveway is blocked by a metal wire, restricting entry into Samara Unfortunately, if one cannot be entire from the top of the driveway, one must make a lengthy 8minute walk around multiple houses to reach the front gate Therefore, the metal wire acts as a source of confusion, and adding a gate will clarify that visitors who are touring the house may enter from the top of the driveway. We recommend that the Samara management replace the metal wire with a new gate. Another factor to consider while adding the gate is possibly making it electric, which would allow the gate to opened with a remote.

Electrical Components for the Gate

Given the different projects that we will be working on, we need to consider the electrical aspects of each To begin with the lighting for the

tiny bulbs that adorn the gate, we could use a similar methodology as to what is currently being implemented. Apart from the lights, we could also think about adding remote-controlled operation for the gate, which could be very convenient. The nearest power supply from the house could be extended to the gate area.

Where possible, wiring should be buried or concealed behind the structural elements of the gate If using a conduit, it could be painted or matched to blend with the gate’s materials For outdoor safety, grounding and a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet are essential, protecting against electrical shock and moisturerelated hazards (Childress, 2021)

Materials and Cost For Various Projects

Cost of Lights

One of the major considerations for this project is the selection of and the cost of materials, services, and maintenance The lights will be made with Philippine Mahogany This wood was one Frank Lloyd Wright used and is present in the indoor lamps in Samara as well as the window and door trim and other parts of the home. The lights were also intended to be plated with copper, a material also used elsewhere in Samara, and fortunately, the exact brand and type of copper that was used in the home was recorded in the archives. We were able to find a current website selling YorkShield Pressure Treated Copper Flashing. Philippine Mahogany costs $8 52 per ft The copper cost ~$45 for 8” by 20’

Cost of the Gate

Existing blueprints state that the original gate was made of steel but what kind isn’t specified After some research, galvanized steel was determined as an ideal choice of material for the gate. Galvanized steel is often used for entrance gates. The galvanized coating allows the steel to withstand the effects of the elements such as rust, weathering, and corrosion. And as long as it’s

done properly galvanized steel can be painted. This would mean it could be painted to resemble the existing gate. At 6.00 lb/ft galvanized steel can be bought for $300 per 10 ft.

Cost of the Fountain

The fountain with a koi pond will incur several different costs The fountain will require the installation of a pond (for the base where the fish will reside) and installing a man-made pond can cost between $3,675-$14,500 For a small balcony pond, the cost will likely be on the lower end A pond liner can cost between $0 35 to $2 45 per square foot The construction of the fountain itself can cost between $1,100-$7,500 Due to the fact that Indiana experiences winter, a pond heater will be needed if the fish are to remain in the fountain year-round. A pond heater generally costs between $38-$135. The fountain designs we came up with included a waterfall feature which can cost $500-$2500 extra. The koi fish themselves usually cost between $15-$55, as long as they don’t seek out rare or exotic koi fish. While fountain maintenance usually only costs $50-$150 per year, the addition of the koi pond greatly increases the cost Koi pond maintenance can cost between $1000-$2000 per year This project will require hiring professional services including an electrician and a landscape architect Hiring an electrician for outdoor wiring on average costs between $2000-$4000 Landscape architects usually cost between $1610-$5490 per project.

Funding and External Stakeholders

All of the additions to Samara are going to require a substantial amount of funding. There are multiple ways to go about acquiring this funding. One such way is advertising. Having a property made by a famous architect such as Frank Lloyd Wright could be a huge selling point Reaching out to the greater Lafayette area and even surrounding counties could be greatly beneficial Posters around town, on local bulletin boards, and in establishments such as libraries and coffee

shops. We also now live in the age of social media which completely changes the scope of advertisement Advertising can extend into fundraising; another means of gaining funds

There is the classic option of simply asking people to donate for the sake of revitalizing a historical landmark but there are also a multitude of other ways At events held at the property people could pay to enter a raffle or people in the community could donate items for a silent auction. Purdue University could be a great resource for this endeavor. Organizations on Purdue’s campus fundraise all the time. If the team at Samara could reach out to students, getting an organization formed for the preservation of Samara, even temporarily, would be possible. Fundraising events could then be held on Purdue’s campus, which has significantly more event spaces Fundraising on campus could be as simple as tabling on school grounds or holding a dance in one of the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms Forming a university organization would create eligibility for Purdue student organization grants

The team at Samara House could also apply for other external grants. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has a Historic Preservation Fund Grant Program that is available for local governments, universities, and non-profit organizations. This grant program can provide assistance to projects that have public benefit (Indiana Department of Natural Resources 2024).

As Samara House is a unique and beautiful historic landmark available to the public, a case could be made that Samara deserves this grant Another possible grant is the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program The program is meant to stimulate economic growth in rural communities by aiding in the rehabilitation of historic buildings within communities (National Park Service 2023) Aside from Purdue, West Lafayette is a rather small town that could qualify. In addition, there are numerous organizations that could be contacted to request assistance across

the board. These organizations include but are not limited to: The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, The John E Christian Family Memorial Trust Inc , and The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy With the help of local and national resources, each of the incomplete projects will be successfully realized

While Samara House has a limited operational budget of approximately $70,000-80,000, there are still ways Samara can increase its revenue through its operations. The main reason for this would be to increase the development speed of these 3 incomplete projects. With the current profit margins, it will take multiple years for the Samara management to accumulate the required amount of money and fund these projects without putting the organization into financial trouble Secondly, certain unexpected costs can occur and hamper the development of these projects, for example, the recent roof repair which was an unforeseen circumstance These costs are extremely expensive which is why the entire funding from the sale of Dr Christian’s daughter’s Texas house was used to repair the roof. For the aforementioned reasons, it is beneficial for Samara to create partnerships with external stakeholders that can mutually benefit from these partnerships. An example of this would be partnering with educational institutions that are mainly focused on subjects such as architecture and interior design. Partnering with such institutions will increase the number of visitors to Samara therefore increasing revenue from tours, while institutions can help their students learn from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Samara designs as a mode of experiential learning

Another suggested partnership could be with event management organizations Samara has the space to host relatively large-scale events such as weddings or social gatherings. People would be willing to pay to have Samara as their venue to host such events, and this will add another revenue stream.

While both of these partnerships will increase the cost of conducting tours and maintaining the property, the revenue from such operations will outweigh the costs Utilizing the strengths of Samara’s large capacity of over 50 people could be advantageous to boost funding for incomplete projects and bring to life Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by completing the koi fish pond, the gate on the driveway, and the pagoda-style lighting, Samara’s management can fruition Frank Lloyd Wright’s original design for Dr. Christian and his family. Although these projects are expensive and require a large amount of effort to be invested, Samara House can become an even better place to visit than it already is with time.

SUSTAINABILITY AT SAMARA HOUSE

Authors

Ashilyn Joseph College of Health and Human Sciences

Javier Portilla Rivero College of Engineering

Varsha Raj

Daniels School of Business

History

Samara House, also known as the John E Christian House, is a 2000-square-foot historical landmark home built by American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright between 1955 and 1956 in West Lafayette, Indiana, and was inspired by the Samara winged seeds that are commonplace near the Purdue University West Lafayette Campus. The house was built between 1955 and 1956 for John E. Christian, a pharmaceutical chemistry professor at Purdue University (John & Catherine, n.d). In its creation, Frank Lloyd Wright specified and designed the entire environment, including chevron-shaped leaves, clerestory windows, dining chairs, and rugs. In terms of its design, the house belongs to the Usonian architectural movement, a movement spearheaded by Wright

that aimed to design houses in a distinctly American style, free from influences abroad In accordance with this goal, Usonian houses aimed to be affordable to not just wealthy clients, but also middle-class Americans, while also forming a part of the natural environment that surrounded them (Hess 2005)

Frank Lloyd Wright was raised in a Welsh valley and became famous for his Prairie-style architecture, specifically the Prairie House which debuted his liking for low-lying ceilings and horizontal lines. These signature architectural characters symbolized tranquility for Wright and are embodied throughout many of his buildings. Throughout his life, Frank Lloyd Wright was the main architect of over 500 realized buildings, each of which holds their unique significance One commonality between them shares the common theme that Wright portrayed in all his work, “organic architecture” Some of the most notable ones are the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, Fallingwater, and Taliesin The Guggenheim is located in New York and was built to appreciate various styles of art, the Fallingwater emphasized the interactions between people and nature and is known to be the greatest embodiment of the concept of organic architecture. Taliesin, the most significant expression of the Prairie style, holds a lot of Wright’s history (Timeline, 2022).

Current Scope of Sustainability at Samara

House

Throughout Frank Lloyd Wright whole body of work a number of his designed homes have faced sustainability issues, including Samara House In fact, one of the initiatives Samara House is exploring is ensuring that the house is sustainable In other words, all aspects of the house should minimize any possible harm to the environment Samara currently aims to find initiatives that would aid the house in increasing its sustainability while preserving the historical and cultural significance the landmark holds.

Samara House Furniture

Samara house already has architectural elements aimed at the preservation of the house through various natural elements For example, Wright chose to build the structural elements of the house using brick and steel, since wood would expand and shrink based on outside temperatures causing some of the internal structures to lose their integrity Additionally multiple furniture elements built in Samara house are set to have multiple uses, allowing the same resource to be used in different ways. For example, the coffee table in the living room at Samara can not only be used as a coffee table, but can be dismantled and used as chairs or individual tables. Further, the ottomans can be used as seating but can also be used as high serving tables when stacked together. Another example of this can be seen in the end table which can be repurposed for a serving tray or a portable table to eat anywhere in the living room (Samara House Tour)

Samara House Rules

Additionally, existing sustainability efforts at Samara House Sustainability are exemplified by the rules of visiting/entering the house. For example, according to Samara House Associates, no smoking, or eating in the house, and only closed water bottles allowed in the house. Essentially, the rules at Samara are centered

around waste management and visitor health These rules allow for the preservation of Samara house resulting in sustainability as there is less refurbishing needed since it was well kept

Not only does this contribute to the overall sustainability of the home, but also its surrounding environments. These policies that have been put in place have prevented trash and litter from accumulating in the house and its surrounding areas, protecting the environment and its inhabitants. Moreover, it has protected the overall health of those visiting Samara or living in the area as a result of limited to no exposure to secondhand smoking and other toxic chemicals.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Energy

Sustainability is carefully integrated into the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright's Samara House, which combines cutting-edge technology with the surrounding natural elements. The installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, which has lowered the home's energy use by 40%, is one of the most noteworthy upgrades. This improves the home's original appearance while also reducing the carbon impact of the house and creating a cozy and warm ambiance.

The house additionally has an innovative thermal design, created by Frank Lloyd Wright, with an airlock system between the interior and outside brick walls that traps heat and acts as an insulating buffer to help keep the internal temperature comfortable By keeping the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, this architectural element is essential for energy conservation In order to minimize the need for extra heating during the colder months, the windows are positioned to enhance passive solar heating by letting sunshine warm the inside naturally. The house's innovative heating system increases its efficiency even more in the winter. Warm water, which circulates through a pump system that continuously senses the temperature and atmospheric pressure, is done through a system of

copper pipes set into the floors. The boiler automatically modifies the heat to maintain an ideal, energy-efficient temperature based on indications from sensors positioned throughout the system. Together, these eco-friendly features maintain the house's energy efficiency, guaranteeing that Samara will continue to be an excellent example of Wright's goal of balancing architecture and nature while also meeting the demands of a modern, environmentally conscious community

Frank Lloyd Wright Properties

Frank Lloyd Wright built many homes across America, some of which share similar issues in sustainability as Samara, and have found workable solutions for them, some of which Samara could implement There are also houses that Samara can view as an opportunity to learn from due to the unique challenges they have had to face from their environments and their historical importance These two houses are Taliesin West and Falling Water

Taliesin West

Taliesin West (pictured in Figure 1), a FLW property located in Scottsdale, Arizona has an innovative and adaptive LED lighting feature where the lights in the interior of the home respond to the natural light present. This effectively conserves energy and reduces electricity costs for the house, which has proven to be very beneficial to Samara ever since they decided to implement the same as well Additionally, Taliesin West also utilizes a rain water conservation system, an initiative that is proposed and explained later on, however the house has successfully created a water conservation system underground that allows them to collect rainwater and use it for several purposes. As proven by the LED lighting systems benefit to both houses, it is clear that Taliesin West is serving as a model home of many sustainability initiatives that other houses can follow as well. Implementing initiatives similar to the underground

water system will increase sustainability at Samara as it will automate processes for water usage as much as possible, which will in the future reduce upkeep and maintenance costs for Samara.

Fallingwater

Another FLW property facing significant sustainability issues is Fallingwater, located in Pennsylvania Wright's focus with Fallingwater, pictured in Figure 2, was to build a property that was one with nature, and this property is built in an area full of nature, moisture, and water leading to significant upkeep and sustainability costs, since it is built on top of a waterfall as depicted in Figure 2. Furthermore, the unique and complex interior design makes it difficult to upkeep as finding similar material is not only difficult but also expensive.

While this is not a direct comparison to Samara, in terms of ideas that Samara can pull from, this house is an example of a situation Samara would not want to get into

Figure 1: Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, nd)

Figure 2: Fallingwater on top of a waterfall (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, nd)

Since Samara is on a relatively tighter budget, investing in materials and renovations for the house that are highly unique and complex will just lead to further costs and upkeep later Additionally, Samara can learn from Falling Water and ensure all protections are in place to prevent any moisture issues should there be significant rainfall, as Indiana does get heavy downpours every once in a while

Samara Initiatives with Phased Implementation

Since there are a lot of initiatives Samara could implement to increase their sustainability, a phased approach is one of the ways that Samara can effectively implement all the initiatives while still being able to fund them all. All of the implementation locations of some of the initiatives can be found in Figure 3. The first phase is focused on low cost initiatives that can quickly improve sustainability, small things that have good impact and then phase three are high cost initiatives that have a large impact. Doing phase 3 initiatives last will allow Samara to plan for funding and potentially do these renovations during low season to avoid financial impact

Phase 1: Low Cost, Moderate Impact

To make Samara House more sustainable, we recommend a phased-out plan to implement environmentally sound changes in the house This plan is based on working within the limitations that the Samara House administration faces regarding their operational budget and thus is divided into three parts: an initial phase that should be immediately accessible to implement due to low investment costs, a second phase on long term maintenance related changes, and a final phase of expensive projects that should be considered to be applied if further investment appears.

For phase one, we recommend three projects that would have some relevant positive impact on the environment, while not compromising the operational budget The first of these projects is the implementation of composting organic waste If done correctly, composting can have a noticeable impact on the local environment, by improving soil health, promoting plant growth in gardens, reducing the use of fertilizers, and recycling yard trim (Fahridi et al, 2022). To begin composting, Samara could consider two options, backyard composting or vermicomposting (worm composting). For backyard composting, Samara would be required to set up a bin within the premises of the house in which to store any yard trims or food, with it being specially designed for worms for vermicomposting (EPA, 2024). Likely, this bin will not fit with the aesthetics of the house, so it should not be placed in the main yard nor near the entrance, but rather closer to the mulch path in the southern part of the house By placing it there, visitors will likely not be distracted by the bin, and Samara will be able to compost any waste Finally, the compost product can be used as a soil amendment for yard work, thus also reducing some costs in maintenance.

A huge part of the preservation of Samara House is maintaining the quality of the inside of the home. Samara has a few house rules that prevent

Figure 3: Picture of Phased Implementation

any damage inside the home, like no smoking and no food and drink. An example of what these signs could look like are depicted in Figure 4.

This ensures that no furniture gets damaged and no spills occur, reducing the overall maintenance and upkeep of the floors. Samara does verbally explain the rules to visitors, but to ensure no room for misunderstanding they can add signs in the house. The placement of the signs is really important, as they need to be visible to guests but also not impede on the view of the house For this reason, the signs might be best placed near the entrance of the house, before people enter Samara could put a small cubby at the entrance so people can leave restricted items outside and reclaim them upon exiting the house

Finally, one of the initiatives that the current administration at Samara could easily implement to improve sustainability would be the implementation of bike racks on the house's premises. The reason for this is that Samara is located in a residential neighborhood where there are no specific parking locations for personal vehicles such as bikes and scooters, limiting possible visits from Purdue students due to the relative distance to reach the house From the personal experience of this research team, going to Samara can be relatively challenging, as its location in the north of campus puts it outside of common pedestrian paths, as well as requiring a considerable amount of time in the busy schedule of students

As shown in the accompanying image of Figure 5, a student is expected to walk around 30 minutes

to get from the Memorial Mall (a central part of campus) to Samara House, alongside having to walk through Northwestern Avenue and outside of Purdue’s pedestrian pathways By adding bike racks, Samara House would become more accessible to students and other residents of West Lafayette While this would be in general beneficial to Samara, in terms of sustainability it would have the added benefit of increasing the proportion of visitors that use bikes instead of cars On average, gas cars produce 350 grams of CO2 per mile, in comparison to 33 grams of CO2 for bikes, making the difference in pollution considerable (Thorpe, 2016). As such, it is our recommendation that the administration at Samara House considers installing bike racks, which can be bought online for prices as low as 150 dollars, or can even be made from recycled sources or materials.

The idea of adding bike racks has been previously evaluated by other teams in HONR 220, who have considered it due to its benefits in providing better parking and transportation for visitors In the Ideas Magazine Volume 6 within the article Parking at Samara House , bike racks were proposed as one of that article’s solution to the challenges Samara faces regarding parking

Figure 4: Signs at Samara

Figure 5: Pathways from Purdue’s Memorial Mall to Samara House (Google Maps, 2024)

In the analysis presented, both Nathan Allaire and the authors were worried about bike racks being used by locals rather than by visitors to Samara, and thus had the idea of making it a unique design inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s work on the house As mentioned in that article, a unique design would increase the costs of implementing bike racks, with one of the options they found costing $429.00 (Kanj, et al. 2023). As such, while using unique design does align more with the overall aesthetics of the house, and will not be used as much by locals, it is likely to be several times more expensive than normal bike racks, which is something the Samara House Administration should consider. In Figure 6 it is possible to see an example of how a unique bike rack inspired by Samara would look like, as designed by the team responsible for the Parking at Samara House article

Figure 6: Samara-inspired bike rack design created by Danny Kanj, Mehr Mangat, and Basil Liu, the team responsible for the article Parking at Samara House. Source: Kanj et al, 2023. IDEAS Magazine Vol.6 https://issuu.com/vsphonorscollege/docs/ideas magazi ne volume 6

Since Phase 1 initiatives are all low cost in nature, they would require time to implement and thus pose some limitations. With composting yard waste, Samara would have to get composting bins, but in terms of actual composting they could partner with the Boiler Green Initiative to get volunteers to help with the process so that they do not have to hire additional workers.

In terms of signage they could significantly reduce cost by creating the signs themselves rather than outsourcing them Something that Samara would have to consider is the rules that they would want to have on signage so as to not impair views or disturb the historical essence of the house. For example, Samara could have a no food and drinks sign by the entrance of the house, this would help them reduce their cleaning costs and any potential damage that could be caused by spillage. Furthermore, the bike rack would be a cost, and it might obstruct the front or back view of the house if Samara was to place it at a convenient location for visitors.

Phase 2: Maintenance and Upkeep

For Phase 2, we propose expansions in vision to long-term projects regarding the maintenance of Samara House, which require some constant effort and expense while still being viable undertakings for the administration. The first of these projects involves the proper maintenance of the furniture of the house, since for the most part, it is made out of Philippine Mahogany, an endangered species of wood. While the main goal of the John E Christian Family Memorial Trust is to preserve Samara House in accordance with Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision, this goal is very relevant in regard to the sustainability of the furniture of the house Currently, all true Mahogany species are included in the list of International Trade in Endangered Species, thus making the consumption of their wood a grave danger to their continued existence (OHC, 2024) Thus, it is of great interest that efforts in the maintenance of the furniture are redoubled since having to replace any furniture in disrepair would either require compromising on the original design of Frank Lloyd Wright or sourcing true Philippine Mahogany through possible environmentally unsound means. As such, this group commends the current efforts done by the administration at Samara House and advises that they be continued, and possibly even expanded to protect the furniture from sun and humidity exposure

The furniture at Frank Lloyd Wright's Samara House, which is mostly composed of endangered Philippine mahogany, requires a lot of money and effort to maintain International trade laws preserve the wood, making restoration difficult and expensive (OHC, 2024) Preventing sun and humidity damage is the fundamental goal of preservation efforts, which call for specific temperature control systems and constant upkeep The costs to undergo this restoration process would include the purchase of materials, restoration labor, temperature control installation, and public awareness campaigns regarding the furniture's sustainability (The Furniture Society, n.d.). Furthermore, increasing these preservation initiatives would raise the price of preventive measures, staff training, and monitoring. Overall, depending on the scope of conservation initiatives and infrastructural improvements, the anticipated yearly cost of keeping the furniture may be somewhere between $20,000 and $50,000 (The Furniture Society, n d )

Secondly, the other project regarding maintenance regards the yard, since according to Frank Lloyd Wright's designs, several foreign plants should be placed within Samara’s premises to accomplish his vision for the house. While this effort gives the house a unique look in regards to its yard, it also puts the local environment in danger, as some of the plants are invasive species. Specifically, the Norwegian Spruce and the climbing euonymus are invasive to the Indiana ecosystem, and as such the administration of Samara House must take steps to prevent their spread (Sieminski, 2023). While the clearest solution for this would be the removal of these plants, this would go against Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision, so we instead recommend that the administration grubs the surroundings where climbing euonymus and Norwegian Spruce are located, removing roots and seeds where possible Thus, the spread of these plants can be somewhat halted while still preserving the current plants.

We plan to work with various sustainability and environmental clubs at Purdue University as part of a volunteer project for the invasive plant management and grubbing operations at Samara House. These student organizations, which emphasize sustainable practices and environmental care, can offer help with managing the Climbing Euonymus and Norwegian Spruce, planting grubs, and cleaning up the surrounding regions. Since these kids' participation will be free of charge to the project, their involvement will drastically lower the overall labor expenses Along with their passion and dedication to environmental preservation, the students will also gain practical experience in managing invasive species and ecological restoration, so therefore this partnership will be mutually beneficial Even while the students' contributions will contribute to cost savings, some oversight and direction from skilled professionals may still be necessary to guarantee that the job is completed in line with Wright's vision and the best ecological practices. The initiative's total cost can be lowered by up to 50% by using volunteer assistance, resulting in an initial investment of between $2,500 and $5,000 and continuing maintenance expenses of between $1,000 and $3,000 each year. (The Property and Environment Research Center and U S Fish & Wildlife Service, 2012)

In the Phase 2 initiatives, one of the limitations would be cost, but it might also change the overall appearance of the house Sustainably sourcing furniture might change the interior of the house potentially taking away some of the history, which is not ideal. Therefore implementing this might take time as they sustainably source furniture that still maintains Frank Lloyd Wrights’ style. The same goes with eliminating invasive plants as a big part of FLW architecture was building homes one with nature and eliminating some of the plants might interfere with that.

Phase 3: High Cost, High Impact

Phase 3 initiatives are high cost high impac nature, and should be implemented later on w Samara has more time. For energy efficie depending on the budget at the time, Sam could either install transparent solar panel replace windows or install solar panels on roof. For the transparent solar panel windows solar panels would be placed in place of the windows at the back of Samara where the sun hits The panels will be transparent and be in the same shape as the windows In the figure below, the area in which Samara can replace the windows is portrayed The rectangular nature of these windows would make it easy to put transparent solar panels in without too much customization, ultimately reducing costs.

Samara would strategically place the transparent solar panels as seen in Figure 8 in the windows that get the most sunlight to conserve energy and light usage by maximizing locations where sunlight is the greatest throughout the day like in Figure 7. Since this would be an expensive option, costing around $25 per square foot of panel on Amazon at the least, and would likely require Samara to shut down the house for a period of time as the windows get replaced, they could opt for installing roof solar panels instead While, with this option, they would incur less cost as the house would not need to be closed, it might change the external view of the house as the solar panels would be on the roof

Another high cost, high impact option sustainability initiative for Samara would be to install a rainwater collection system. Since the area that Samara is located does get a fair amount of rain, and Samara has quite a few plants that need watering, a rainwater collection system would allow them to collect and reuse the rain water. The rainwater collection system would be implemented underneath Samara house with a mechanism to collect the rainwater that falls and then install water lines to ensure that the water gets filtered and then used for tasks like watering the plants and perhaps cleaning the house Figure 9 shows the rain water collection system at a different Frank Lloyd property located on flat land, called Taliesin West This would need to be modified to be placed under Samara, located on a slight hill Since Samara is located in a neighborhood with other houses, Samara could extend this rainwater collection system as a hub for water conservation for its surrounding community, hopefully also aiding in attracting people to the value of Samara.

Figure 8: Transparent Solar Windows

Figure 9: Rainwater collection system at Taliesin West (FLW Foundation, 2024)

Figure 7: Samara House Windows

With a majority of the phase three implementations, Samara would likely have to close the house to visitors for a period of time. To make the best of the time they have closed, Samara should try and have these renovations done at the time so they only incur this big cost of not having the house open once With the transparent solar panels and rainwater collection system, closing down the house for a period while the main bulk of construction gets done, it would be the best so that the construction can happen quickly. However, a limitation of this is that they will not be able to have visitors at that time. Additionally, for some of the regularly shaped windows it would be easier to install than some of the customized shapes that reflect a part of Samara’s history, Samara should account for this when picking the windows to replace. An alternative, if the customization is proving difficult, as previously stated, is the roof solar panels which can adjust the amount based on electricity consumption

Furthermore, looking at the rainwater conservation efforts, since this has been previously implemented in a prior FLW house, they can adopt the same idea, however, Samara needs to account for the house being on a slight slant, making gravity work against their favor for the water pipes. This limitation can be overcome by just adjusting the collection system to end at the bottom of the hill so that the pipes flow with the hill and no additional machinery is required to get the water to the right place.

Potential Partnerships

Partnerships with other organizations will be essential to implementing Samara's sustainability projects in an efficient and affordable way. Samara's current sustainable efforts could be thoroughly evaluated by collaborating with the Green Building Initiative. Analyzing the home's performance in areas like energy efficiency and environmental impact would be part of this collaboration. The Green Building Initiative could provide suggestions for improvement by

analyzing important performance indicators, ensuring that Samara's sustainability initiatives are in line with industry norms and cost-effective solutions (The Green Building Initiative, n.d).

Another beneficial collaboration would be with the Boiler Green Initiative, a student-run sustainabilityfocused organization at Purdue University As part of their volunteer and educational activities, this organization would be able to help Samara composting yard waste Samara would be able to preserve their environment and also incorporate other sustainable methods while maintaining low costs by getting students involved in meaningful environmental volunteering activities (Boiler Green Initiative, n.d). Working with Purdue's Clean Energy Club would also give access to a vibrant student body interested in learning more about renewable energy applications. Both of these student clubs bring students of different disciplines and backgrounds together with the goal of addressing and tackling environmental issues For instance, as shown in Figure 10, these club members have already tackled numerous environmental issues to make Purdue a more environmentally friendly and sustainable campus and have completed numerous service projects in support of this goal Therefore, both of these clubs would be able to evaluate the sustainable energy issues at Samara and could provide us with important information about how to best utilize its energy systems, including the house's innovative heating system (Boilerlink, 2024). Samara may be able to adopt cutting-edge energy-saving technologies with the club's emphasis on project-based learning while also educating the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders

Figure 10: Boiler Green Initiative club restoration service project at the Horticulture Park (Boiler Green Initiative, n d)

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation would be an important collaborator in addition to student organizations. This organization works to preserve Wright's legacy, the Foundation can assist in obtaining funds for Samara's sustainability initiatives while making sure the work complies with Wright's original intentions and wishes Their campaigning and preservation experience may also offer an opportunity for highlighting Samara's eco-friendly projects, drawing in more money and interest from donors that prioritize preservation (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, n.d).

Samara's sustainability initiatives can benefit greatly from the assistance of Indiana Landmarks, which is dedicated to protecting the state's historic sites. Samara could contribute to increasing awareness of the importance of renovation and the sustainable preservation of historic properties by improving their already existing partnership with this group (Indiana Landmarks, n d ) Samara's goals for sustainability might be well served by Indiana Landmarks' knowledge in maintaining and restoring famous historic homes and landmarks like the Frank O'Bannon Memorial, which would help Samara honor Frank Lloyd Wright's wishes while promoting more environmentally-safe practices (Indiana Landmarks, n.d.).

By providing funds for projects that combine the architecture of the house with the surrounding natural setting, the Conservation Fund could assist Samara in achieving her environmental aims. In order to ensure that the building and its

surroundings coexist peacefully, this collaboration may offer grants and resources for improving the home's sustainability while preserving the surrounding land (The Conservation Fund, n d)

Additionally, the National Trust for Historic Preservation can provide assistance in incorporating sustainable technologies into Samara's historic building Since this organization is devoted to protecting the country's historic sites, it will ensure that sustainable renovations do not compromise the house's architectural integrity (National Endowment for Humanities, 2001). Overall, these organizations, especially The Conservation Fund, have a very high national impact and therefore may be able to assist Samara in obtaining grants, technical support, and resources. By utilizing these partnerships, Samara can implement its sustainability initiatives in a costeffective manner while involving the community to preserve the environment and historical sites like this one for future generations

Essentially, the phasing of the initiatives would allow for Samara to overcome the major limitation of cost as it lets them implement the phases in such a way where the most affordable ones come first, giving them time to save and decide about future implementations. Additionally, while some initiatives have limitations surrounding efficiency and historical preservation, to the ones that are major, for example, transparent solar panels, there are viable alternatives.

RESILIENCY AT SAMARA HOUSE RESILIENCY AT SAMARA HOUSE

Authors

Daniel Weinstok Daniels School of Business

Alishba Loya

College of Liberal Arts

Aniket Chatterjee

College of Engineering

Introduction

Samara House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Dr John E and Catherine Christian in 1956 (Kaufman, 2024). Despite facing numerous challenges over the years, it remains open to tours and educational experiences. This project focuses on enhancing the resiliency of Samara House by analyzing its features. Hence, this project will concentrate on Samara’s human, built, and financial resources to generate potential solutions for future adversities. This project will analyze each to create a solid defense against unexpected misfortune affecting the landmark

History of Samara House

John and Catherine Christian were a young couple of Purdue professors who were seeking a dream home. Their main objective was to build a house to

not only raise a family in but also entertain guests This justifies hiring Wright. Although with a limited budget, they managed to convince Wright to build the property which was finalized in 1956 (as mentioned above).

One of Samara’s main characteristics is its Usonian style. “The Usonian house (an abbreviation for "United States of North America") was meant to be a modest-sized, environmentally sensitive dwelling affordable to middle class families” (US Fed News Service, 2016) This excerpt from a US news release in the city of Lake Charles succinctly encompasses the style that Wright pioneered, which helped the Christians achieve their dream home Hence, Samara was designed as a house that would grow with the couple’s finances

The structural elements of the house came first, with the primary purpose of making it a livable space for the couple and their family. It was officially completed in 1956, but many of the custom elements were added over the next thirty years (US Fed. News Service, 2016). A notable example is the decorative copper fascia. This was originally a wood fascia, and the copper was added as budget allowed in 1992 (Sanchez, 2023)

The Christians lived in their dream house until their deaths. John Christian was still alive when it became a National Historical Landmark in 2015 and welcomed guests to his house to tour and learn about its architectural history. Moving toward the present day, Christian willed the house to a private trust partnered with Indiana Landmarks in 2018 (Sanchez, 2023). After being renovated with a new terrace, woodwork, and brick work, it reopened to the public as a museum and stays open for tours and events today (Samara House, 2024)

Defining Resiliency

Before advancing further with the different ideas proposed in this document, it is important to first reflect on the meaning of “resiliency” and how it applies to the context of the Samara house. As defined by Pulley and Wakefield (1992), “resiliency provides the ability to recover quickly from change, hardship, or misfortune” . In this project’s case, it is evident that Samara House has overcome many challenges over the past decade (Sanchez, 2023) The Samara staff have found ingenious ways to recover from major events, some as recent as the 2020 pandemic

Samara House is a valuable historical structure that shows off the architecture of one of America’s most famous historical architects. To ensure that it remains here, that it is preserved, and that educational experiences continue to be offered to future generations, it must be resilient and able to withstand changes over time. However, since some of the challenges it faces are inevitably unpredictable (in other words, contingent), it is hard to know if and how they will affect the property’s future. Thus, planning for these unforeseen circumstances can help make Samara more resilient to future shocks In that sense, this project will examine these kinds of shocks through three lenses: human resources, financial resources, and built resources

Human Resources

Some of the challenges faced by Samara House relate to the site's human resources.

Specifically, there is only one employee at the site.He is a salaried employee of Indiana Landmarks, hired specifically for Samara House. There are also only a handful of volunteers that work regularly with the property (Nathan and Kat, 2024) . This lack of human resources creates a higher burden on the small management team to maintain the house. Additionally, the curator at Samara House noted that more volunteers would ease maintenance efforts and support the property's upkeep (Nathan and Kat, 2024) Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the house had 16 volunteers This number has not recovered since, with the house only having 12 regular volunteers currently, even though the surrounding neighborhood and Indiana Landmarks have pitched in to help (Nathan and Kat, 2024) Moreover, the tours can host up to 15 people at a time. Having only two full time volunteers in charge of such a large group could be a challenge (Nathan and Kat, 2024). While training new volunteers is relatively quick, finding them remains difficult due to the house's low visibility and relative obscurity relating to other Frank Lloyd Wright properties (Nathan and Kat, 2024). Solving this problem of visibility would in turn increase the number of people who might consider working or volunteering there An avenue to support this idea would be the nearby Purdue University and its multitude of students Samara could benefit from the publicity offered by this Big Ten University and find a potential solution to its human resources issue Another possibility is to pay for people to run tours instead of relying on volunteering. However, this avenue could be expensive and conflict with the other financial needs of the house.

Case study on Martin House and its Human Resources: Martin House in Buffalo, NY is another Frank Lloyd Wright-designed property. This house has survived as an architectural landmark thanks to a strong volunteer network and a crew of part-time and seasonal staff (Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House 2024)

These community members help with events and general upkeep and maintenance of the house After its restoration, Martin House's employee base and outreach grew through programs aimed at students who were interested in preservation and history. Its Junior Docent Program, for example, allows high school students to create their own tour of the property and present it to an audience of visitors (Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House 2024). This program’s approach allows Martin House to attract young adults in their community and encourage them to give back to the museum. By following a similar strategy, Samara could partner with educational institutions in Indiana, especially Purdue University as it is located so nearby This would allow the museum to develop its human resources

Suggested solution: One of the most effective ways to increase the availability of human resources at Samara House is to increase its visibility. Members of our group had heard of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright before the start of this class and are interested in the ideas of museums and historic sites more generally. However, these members were not even aware that a house designed by such a famous architect had been sitting practically in their backyard for many years. This lack of visibility means both a smaller pool of volunteers and a smaller pool of potential visitors, hurting Samara House’s future in multiple ways As Samara House rests right on the edge of Purdue’s campus, there are presumably many students who would be interested in visiting or even volunteering at Samara House, but who are simply not aware that such an opportunity exists One potential low-cost solution would be to put up flyers in strategic locations around Purdue’s campus advertising Samara House as a potential destination. Another would be partnering with Purdue Student Organizations to offer volunteering opportunities at Samara House. Many student organizations, such as honors societies and professional fraternities, have volunteering requirements to be initiated .

This requirement is too small for Samara House to realistically turn these students into long-term tour guides, but it is possible that Samara House could find smaller ways for these students to be beneficial to the House These students may also develop a deeper connection with and affinity for Samara House and may choose to volunteer on their own time or mention it to friends. Another aspect of the human resources issue is the lack of employees. Samara House could consider hiring students as part-time employees, as they may be willing to work for lower wages. If they can secure a greater degree of funding, they could also hire more full-time employees, reducing the dependence on a single function In addition, Samara House should expand the amount and variety of volunteering roles, to include a more diverse pool of people who are willing to help the property

Built resources

Another aspect of this hidden gem is its guest experience, which involves the guest being able to walk around the house and interact with its furniture. As time passes, this property is slowly getting older, which is causing its infrastructure to become less accessible to visitors(Nathan and Kat 2024) One important aspect of the property is that after John Christian passed away, he willed the house to a private trust that partnered with Indiana Landmarks to maintain the property (Sanchez 2023) This helped preserve the house, because those materials deteriorate after a long time (Wisconsin Historical Society 2014). The one main fix Samara House currently needs is its roof, which has three leaks. Fortunately, this is currently being paid for with funds earned from the sale of the Christian’s daughter’s home in Texas (Nathan and Kat, 2024). Although they are currently “debt free,” as mentioned by both Nathan and Kat, they are still going paycheck to paycheck. In this case, the main concern for the house right now is that it does not have a powerful system to handle another major unexpected cost This is compounded by repairs reducing the house's

ability to raise funds through tours. For example, the house just opened in 2023 after going through many repairs (Sanchez 2023). Ennis house as an example of its Built Resources: Ennis House is in a seismically active area and was heavily damaged because of earthquakes and severe rainfall. Restoration operations for the house began in the early 2000s. It needed much structural reinforcing to address seismic damage and water seepage brought on by the frequent rain The famed textured concrete block construction of the house degraded especially quickly under these conditions, and specialized materials and preservation measures were required to restore them to their former glory (Owner 2022) Samara House is in Indiana, where earthquakes are a less common occurrence

Understanding these threats could help Samara plan proactively to preserve its built resources and prevent a situation like what happened to Ennis House. This can be achieved through climate data. Indiana is growing more prone to extreme weather, like thunderstorms, flooding, and tornadoes, which are exacerbated by climate change Climate predictions show a 6-8% rise in yearly precipitation by the middle of the century contributing to greater flood risk (NCEI 2022) The predicted rise in rainfall and the risks associated with it highlight the importance of resilience in the built resources at Samara In this way, Samara reflects the issues faced by Ennis House regarding climate risks, showing that there is a need for Samara to be prepared for severe weather in the not-so-distant future.

Martin house as an example of its Built Resources: Martin House has concentrated on preserving the building's key features while also keeping it open for the public who wish to see it. Until 2019, the site’s owner and principal stakeholder, Martin House Restoration Corporation carried out many specific renovations that targeted structural requirements and restored the aesthetics that Wright had for the home upon building it (Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House 2024) The Christian Family Memorial Trust has completed similar projects in the past, such as the roof restoration project This project used more durable material for the roof, making use of modern architectural techniques without compromising the look of the property (Nathan and Kat 2024) Similar structural enhancements inside the house, particularly in areas that are most often touched by guests (wood surfaces, fabric, etc.), might extend the house's life while also providing a better experience for those who visit it.

Suggested

solution: The main current issue facing the built resources at Samara House is the roof leak. However, int the context of resiliency, it is possible that Samara House could suffer in the future if it is not maintained well enough or if there is any sort of sudden disaster that impacts the house The main barrier to dealing with these structural issues of the house is its finances If Samara House has the resources, then it will be able to pay whatever firms it needs to pay to get the construction or restoration work done However, if they do not have the money, the repairs will not get made, eventually causing its materials to deteriorate as time passes. Samara needs enough capital to make repairs, hire new people, advertise, and carry out any other necessary operation to improve the resilience of Samara House.

Financial resources

One of the aims of this project is to analyze how Samara manages to remain stable economically, as this knowledge is fundamental in building financial resilience. Currently, the main costs the house

currently faces are its operational costs, utility costs, and repair costs. These are included in its main operational budget (services and income), which is approximately 100 thousand dollars a year (this does not include the salary for its sole employee, Nathan) (Nathan and Kat, 2024) Another main concern is the maintenance of the house (as mentioned before, they are currently looking for volunteers) To understand Samara House’s finances, it is important to note the following potential sources of revenue and their relevant costs (Figure 2).

Sourcesofincome

Visitors  70,000$  (Yearly)

Familytrustfund  Notdisclosed(gifts)

Donations  4,000$  (Perproject)

Mainexpenses

Utilitycosts  Monthly

Water  1,800$  (Yearly)

Electricity  1,680$  (Yearly)

Gas  1,200$  (Yearly)

Preservation costs:

Roofleaks(3)  (coveredbythesaleofthe Lynn'shouse)

Rafters  2,500,000$  (Debtfree)

Operationalbudget  80,000$/120,000$   (Yearly)(Estimated 80,000$/120,000$)

After listing each relevant expense and cost (Figure 2), it is important to note that the employee’s salary is not included, since Nathan mentioned that his salary comes from Indiana Landmarks. Another important point is that the first step the Samara House workers take when they experience shocks is to concentrate on the logistics and how much money they currently have in their budget (Nathan and Kat, 2024). The main problems arise from maintenance issues (the roof leak, for example). Though they are currently debtfree and have already recovered, the restoration that cost 2 million dollars was clearly an unprecedented moment that could’ve been faced better with a stronger funding system

Shocks may not only come as disturbances to the building itself, but also as disturbances to Samara’s money supply. As Nathan mentioned, in 2024, the house only reached 80% of visitors (2681) compared to the year before, completely altering the property’s revenue that comes from tours (Nathan and Kat, 2024). lthough Samara House is surviving, it is also important to ask the following questions: How could they raise a contingency fund? Or how could they even recover from a future unexpected disaster?

Ennis house example of its Financial Resources: Ennis House faced significant financial challenges Restoration expenses were compounded by severe weather that surpassed the Ennis House foundation's resources The finances of the house were thus reorganized, and it ended up being taken over by private owners. Because of this, it's only open for tours 12 days a year, a fate that this project aims to avoid for Samara (Kett, 2022). A strategy for Samara House to learn from the closure of Ennis House could include creating a reserve fund to pay for emergency repairs and providing a financial margin in the case of shocking and unexpected events. Additional funds from national and state conservation organizations (like the existing nonprofit Indiana Landmarks) could provide the funds for such a venture Another avenue could also be associations with local businesses and donors Overall, this could reduce dependence on tour revenue and improve Samara's financial health

Martin House Financial Resources: Martin House has varied sources of funding and has consolidated these finances over the years. Their main sources of income come from grant funding, partnerships with local companies, and special events (Martin House n.d.). In terms of outreach, they frequently hold fundraisers, educational tours, and themed events, which provide both monetary support and encourage the community to engage with the Foundation Samara has the potential to host similar events and has done so occasionally in the past Nathan and Kat have stated that Samara’s new categorization as a public landmark rather than private property makes this challenging (2024)

Figure 2: Table that lists all of the different costs and expenses Source: Daniel Weinstok

However, if an understanding can be reached with the State, events like the ones adopted at Martin House could help build a source of income outside of what is gained through visits and tours. For example, the image below (Figure 3) shows a successful Shakespeare themed event.

Figure 3: Martin House Shakespeare and the Martin house. 2022.Photograph. https://martinhouse.org/shakespeareatmartinhouse/

Samara House should improve its financial situation, getting away from the current precarious state of affairs and making sure that everything is more stable The most recent repairs were financed by the John E Christian Family Memorial Trust with the sale of an asset (the family’s daughters’ house) and not with regular revenue If that house had not been available to sell, Samara House could have been in serious financial trouble. The most important thing right now is to create a strong contingency fund, which the house could draw on in the event of unexpected disasters or emergencies. To build the contingency fund, there are multiple possible options:

Partnering with certain external organizations that could fund Samara House. In this case, parenting with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) would be beneficial because of its access to resources as an arm of the state government, and its mission to serve Indiana’s communities (OCRA 2024)

Increasing the visibility of tours of Samara House so that their revenue stream increases, and they can store part of it away in the contingency fund.

Renting the house as a venue for events, partnering with events planners and organizations, to provide an additional source of revenue.

There are various organizations that could help Samara House with more funding. One of the primary ideas is to contact the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) This is an Indiana government organization that provides funding and grants to “aid communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development” (OCRA 2022) In this case, it could provide funding to the community of West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, with the intent of preserving the important Indiana cultural heritage of Samara House.

Samara House could apply for a grant from the Public Facilities program, which has a mission of “improve[ing] quality of place and generating jobs that spur economic revitalization.” This grant has a maximum value of $750,000, and at least 10% of the total project cost must be provided by the applicant (OCRA 2024). “Historic Preservation” is one of the listed activities available for funding, so Samara House should be eligible This grant requires the applicant to be a “non-entitlement city, county, or incorporated town that possesses the legal capacity to carry out the proposed project” (OCRA 2024)

According to the definition provided by the “Community Development Block Grant” (CDBG) Entitlement Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (which is the same program that funds the OCRA-administered grants), cities that are “eligible grantees” of the entitlement program are “principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs)” or “other metropolitan cities with populations of at least

50,000” (“CDBG Entitlement Program Eligibility Requirements,” n.d.). As West Lafayette is not the principal city of the Lafayette MSA and has a population less than 50,000 (U S Census Bureau 2023), West Lafayette would be considered a nonentitlement city and thus eligible for the OCRA grant program

However, due to these application requirements, to apply for the grant through OCRA, Samara House would need to partner with the city of West Lafayette. The CDBG program instructions specify that. “The lead applicant may contract with a notfor-profit organization to carry out the activities of an eligible project, provided that the organization can document its nonprofit status with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the Indiana Department of Revenue, and the Indiana Secretary of State,” which in this case would be the John E. Christian Memorial Family Trust The Trust is listed on the IRS website (Internal Revenue Service [IRS] n d ) as an organization to which donations are considered tax-deductible, so presumably it would qualify as being able to document its status as a nonprofit with the IRS

Another grant from OCRA that Samara House could consider applying for would be a “Planning Grant” under the “Planning Grant” program. Specifically, they could apply for a “Historic Preservation Plans” grant (Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs [OCRA] n.d.). This is a $20,000 grant, significantly less than the other possibility, but it is a significant amount nevertheless. These grants require a specific project in mind, so Samara House would need to have a specific idea in mind before applying to them For example, they could apply for help with the roof repair or any other issues that may come up However, they are specifically intended toward funding things like preserving Samara House These funding sources, taken together, can help us build Samara House and ensure that it remains resilient in the long-term future.

In addition, Samara is currently partnered with

many organizations such as Lilly Nature Center, the public library from West Lafayette and many organizations from Purdue (Nathan and Kat, 2024). Therefore, they could gather funding by organizing fundraisers through those companies, organizations etc For example, organizing a bingo could be an effective way to network with other companies and earn a lot of funds if many participate

Moreover, promoting Samara House for multiple uses other than just tours would be beneficial because it has a large enough terrain to host many events including weddings. Although some weddings have successfully taken place on the property, there is a spacious room for more opportunities of income (Nathan and Kat, 2024). Although, it is important to consider the maximum size of events is 40 people (Bhatter et al, 2024). Therefore, Samara should not rely on only hosting events Furthermore, Samara has had successful events in the past For example, they managed to raise 10 thousand dollars alone just from a Shakespeare fundraiser event (Nathan and Kat, 2024) Therefore, by establishing a fundraiser through a Purdue organization, Samara could help generate more income

Conclusion

This project is necessitated by the importance of the conservation of architectural landmarks. Frank Lloyd Wright was a pioneer in his field, one of the most important architects of the 20th century, and future generations should have the right to experience his work firsthand The Samara House Foundation has done impressive work maintaining the house and managing the transition from private property to public landmark This project aims to build on their work, ensure that the house is preserved as well as possible, and set up to remain in good condition in perpetuity. This work has focused on human, built, and financial resources, and its ideas could be implemented to support the resiliency of Samara House.

REDESIGNING THE MULCH PATH AT SAMARA HOUSE

Authors

David Rubin College of Engineering

Nitya Patel College of Health and Human Sciences

Simon

An College of Purdue Polytechnic

History and Overview

The Samara House, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is one of the many renowned architectural designs by the legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright Completed in 1956, the house was designed for Dr John E Christian, a professor at Purdue University, and his wife, Catherine Christian. The house gets its name from the botanical term “samara,” which refers to the winged seeds produced by trees such as maples and ashes (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 2017). When the seeds are thrown in the air, they spin around very fast so it seems like it has two wings instead of one. Inspired by the wings, Wright used it as a symbol fittingly incorporated into the house's design due to

Wright's integration of nature with architecture

The motifs, lamps, chairs, throughout the house there are many furniture pieces that have a winged design or pattern. Even the house when viewed from above has a winged design.

Samara House is a prime example of Wright's Usonian style, which emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and harmony with nature. Wright envisioned Usonian homes as affordable housing for the middle class, in contrast to the more elaborate and expensive designs of his earlier works The house reflects his signature principles of organic architecture, where buildings blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings Key architectural elements of the Samara House include a flat roof with overhanging eaves, open living spaces, and extensive use of glass, allowing the outdoors to feel like an extension of the interior (Frank Lloyd Wright Sites 2024) The house is designed on a modular 4X4 grid system based on a 90-degree angle, which was typical in many of Wright’s later works (Stanis 2022). This grid system was used for many different reasons. It allowed Wright to efficiently use the space while creating a flow between the exterior and interior spaces. The grid system made the house feel more consistent and proportional. The Christian family collaborated closely with Wright throughout the design and construction phases,

which is located behind the house and leads to Northwestern Ave. The original intent of the mulch path was for students living in the area to get to class faster, instead of having to go up the hill and around This is one of the main reasons why there is a lot of traffic on the Samara property, even if it doesn’t necessarily interact with the house The main issue is that many people don’t know there is a historical landmark in the neighborhood despite passing so close to it whenever they use the path. From what we noticed during our own trip down the path, it is difficult to see the house properly because of the surrounding gardens, which is FLW’s style. The path is a bit hidden which makes it hard to notice there is a shortcut leading into and out of the neighborhood. Another detail we noticed is that there is an area with benches that faces the house. If users of the path didn’t know about Samara beforehand, we feel that they wouldn’t find out easily because it initially seems like just another neighborhood house When brainstorming initially, we noted several factors from the Q/A held at Samara, which included the house being a “hidden gem,” and the path flooding when intense rains occurred As a result, we decided to focus on

these factors through the proposed implementation of a drainage system, installation of an informational sign, and allowing the lower bench area to be used by more visitors During our research, we also took into account potential factors that could damage or harm these systems, in order to get a more general picture of the overall positive effects and the drawbacks

Case Studies

Since our project focused on enhancing the visitor experience at Samara House while addressing the environmental challenges of the mulch path, we decided to review how similar properties have managed site-specific obstacles such as drainage, visibility, and visitor engagement Two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed properties Taliesin and Fallingwater each confront unique site issues, from environmental management to integrating visitor pathways without disrupting the architectural experience

Taliesin

Taliesin House, Wright's own home and studio, encounters severe environmental exposure due to its placement on a hill, leading to erosion and water runoff issues that particularly impact the pathway leading to the house. Taliesin Preservation, the organization overseeing the property, implemented eco-conscious interventions such as swales and strategic landscaping to slow down runoff and control erosion, preserving not only the original layout but also the aesthetic of the landscape One approach they used was installing gravel-lined channels to direct water flow safely away from walking paths and building foundations, minimizing the impact on the historical grounds while retaining the site’s naturalistic charm (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 2023). Their subtle drainage strategies help manage rainwater without detracting from the overall experience of the property, an approach that aligns with our proposal at Samara where we aim to also implement an unobtrusive drainage solution to handle the pooling on the mulch path.

Fallingwater

Fallingwater House, another one of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic masterpieces, has set a precedent in balancing architectural preservation with environmental management It has a popular 0 9mile trail that takes visitors through the grounds of the house, providing an immersive experience in the surrounding natural landscape.

The site itself also features a trail system that reflects Wright’s philosophy of blending architecture with the environment, which also offers a series of viewing points, each curated to capture the landscape’s natural beauty and the home’s integration within it. The trails embody “organic architecture,” encouraging visitors to contemplate how architecture and nature converge, featuring small plaques and trail markers. This approach could serve as a guiding principle for the Samara House, where subtle interventions can reinforce Wright’s vision without detracting from the surrounding landscape Additionally, Taliesin's use of natural materials in signage and path construction offers a low-impact, sustainable design option for Samara’s mulch path, ensuring that any interventions respect both the natural landscape and Wright's architectural ideals These interpretive elements are

The trail, which starts at the visitors center and winds through rhododendron groves, offers a series of stunning viewpoints, including a prime lookout that frames the house with two waterfalls cascading down Bear Run. Given its location directly over a stream, Fallingwater faces unique challenges with moisture and flooding, particularly along its pathways and terraces (Miller 2024). To counteract these, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has employed subsurface drainage systems that draw water away from critical areas without altering the aesthetic flow between the building and the surrounding forest Additionally, the site itself uses native vegetation strategically planted along pathways and near the foundation to absorb excess water and reduce surface runoff, enhancing the natural appearance of the landscape. (Fallingwater 2023). Each of these case studies illustrates approaches to address water management and pathway challenges within a historic Wright property. By drawing from these precedents, our design proposal includes

Figure 2 Taliesin House Paths (Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation 2023)

Figure 3 Interaction with the natural landscape at Taliesin House (Harrington 2021)

Figure 4 Falling Water (Paredes 2023)

additional elements to enhance visitor engagement without disrupting the serene landscape.

Issue 1: Path Drainage

During our visits to Samara, one of the issues with the mulch path brought up by Nathan Allaire, the house’s curator, was that water tends to collect at certain parts of the mulch path when there is heavy rain, restricting access until it dries out. We contacted Nathan for more details, and he responded that the area most affected by pooling is at the dead end of Woodland Avenue at the bottom of the house’s driveway. Water will not necessarily pool on the footpath itself, instead the entrance to the path as the puddle will cover the end of the road where the mulch path meets the asphalt When we visited the path, we also identified a low point at the start of the mulch segment which also collects water during rain At most, the water can get up to 1’ in-depth, and debris like sticks, leaves, and small rocks will end up on or near the neighbor's lawn at 1401 Woodland Avenue. This happens when there are intense rain instances that cause the street’s drainage system to be overloaded or when leaves from the surrounding properties get swept into the drain openings, clogging it. Below is a Google Maps screenshot provided by Nathan that roughly shows the affected areas and sizes of the puddles, occurring at the end of the driveway and a short distance into the mulch path We have also highlighted the mulch path with a blue line to better show the restricted access

System Details

To alleviate the issue of water restricting path usage, we looked into several possible drainage solutions, including French drains, swales, and catch basins Each of these systems has its own technical advantages and disadvantages, but we also considered the visual appeal of installing each system. When looking into French drain systems, we saw that they are mainly used to remove water from basements or building foundations to prevent damage, but can be very durable and last a long time (Thrasher Foundation Repair 2023). They also can prevent soil erosion over time when there is constant runoff removing topsoil. While this system is great for managing flooding, we believe it would not be a good fit for Samara since it requires a large amount of excavation to install, requires a lower elevation area to carry water away, and is typically used around the house itself For similar reasons, we will also not consider swales as an alternative, because it also requires a slope and installing it would require permission of nearby property owners as well as the city since it would have to cross property lines in order to be effective.

When we looked at catch basins, we thought that it could be a good fit for the mulch path since it would just be buried near the pooling areas, requiring minimal excavation and providing a large volume to collect water until it naturally drains. The main issue we found with traditional catch basins was that they have a grate which is meant to allow water through but not other large debris/trash This would mean that as water drains into the basin, it would sweep leaves, twigs, and grass onto the grate which would eventually clog it in the same way as the nearby street drains, making it functionally useless until someone manually cleans it However, we eventually discovered a company called Rainsmart Solutions which makes grass swale basins, also known as stormwater infiltration basins. The advantage of this system over a traditional catch basin is that it is also buried under the area which we want to drain, but it is covered with a layer of permeable soil or mulch, as

Figure 5. Mulch Path Water Pooling Areas

depicted in Figure 6. Due to the lack of a traditional opening, this prevents clogging from large debris since the water would drain evenly over the entire area where the basin is located instead The inside of the basin is mostly empty when it is dry, allowing it to collect and hold water during instances of heavy rain while constantly discharging it into the underlying soil, which is pictured in the following image from their website Other configurations of this system can be set up to collect and store the rainwater instead, potentially aligning with Samara’s sustainability initiatives.

Some advantages of infiltration basins are that they promote reabsorption of water into the ground, require very little maintenance, and filter the water from pollutants (EPA 2021) They require water to flow towards the area where it is installed, but since we already have areas where water pools naturally, that would be the optimal location to install these tanks. When we reached out to Rainsmart about cost estimates, an associate from Ferguson Waterworks, Cassandra Hoppe, contacted us since Ferguson manages US sales of the Ellipse tank(known as R-Tanks in the US). The dimensions of a single R-Tank are a width of 15.75”, length of 28.15”, and height of 17.32”, for a total water capacity of 4.25 cubic feet There are several variations of R-Tanks available with different load ratings, but since the footpath won’t have vehicular traffic, Cassandra recommended using HD rated tanks This rating has a minimum soil cover depth of 6” and a maximum recommended depth of 18”, meaning

that excavation to install won’t be incredibly deep, and if maintenance is required, the tanks would be relatively accessible. As listed on their website, R-Tanks are commonly used in playgrounds and sports fields for flood mitigation by holding rainwater and runoff and releasing it back into the soil over time (Ferguson Waterworks 2022) Pictured below are the two areas proposed for installing the system, with the only modification required being changing the layer of bricks to be permeable with spacers or a similar system.

This system is also very cost effective as an alternative to more traditional drainage systems, which are often more invasive in the installation process. For the areas with water pooling on and near the mulch path, Cassandra recommended installing about 10 tanks under the footpath for a total water capacity of 42.5 cubic feet, which should provide ample mitigation to the flooding. Additionally, each tank has an absorption flow rate of 1.41 cubic feet per second (0.04 m3/s), meaning that the system will continuously drain water for the entire duration of rain, instead of allowing it to pool The cost of this system is priced by cubic feet, with each cubic foot costing $9 50, for a total price of $403 75 for the recommended 10 tanks Cassandra estimated that the cost of installation would be about 2 5x the raw material cost, which brings the total estimated cost of $1,413, or around $1,500 as an upper bound. For a more accurate price, local contractors would have to provide a quote for the

Figure 6 Rainsmart Infiltration Basin (Rainsmart Solutions 2019)

Figures 7 and 8 Proposed R-Tank System Locations

price of installing the system, which may be slightly above or below the estimation. Some local contractors that listed experience with installing landscape and water features are Molina Landscaping, Promised Land Landscape and Design, and Garrison Landscape Out of these, we reached out to Molina Landscaping for a pricing estimation but the company did not respond in time

R-Tank Case Studies

On Ferguson’s website, they have an archive of several case studies where these R-Tanks were applied. Out of these, a few of these were notable to us due to the similarity in usage to what would be installed at Samara. For example, the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania worked with Ferguson on 8 projects in the nearby suburban boroughs, similar in size to the neighborhood where Samara is located, with the first system being installed in 2014 and the most recent one in 2021 The goal of most of these projects was improving water filtration to protect the City’s water supply from pollutants, with a few of the projects also aiming to serve as a storage area for excess rainwater The most similar project to our proposal was the installation of a structure of HD rated R-Tanks under a playground in Wightman Park to store and drain water from the walkable areas (Ferguson Waterworks 2024, 2). This is very similar to our intended project at Samara since a community playground would most likely experience as much, if not more foot traffic as Samara’s mulch path, and has a similar intended goal of preventing loss of access to frequented areas during rain The project was highly successful in accomplishing its goals since before

the installation, the park heavily flooded during intense rains and became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects.

Pictured in Figure 9 is what Wightman Park looked like after heavy rains prior to the installation of the new system, with nearly the entire green area being inaccessible and several nearby houses flooding After the system was completed in 2022, its first full field test was a period of very intense rain beginning on April 11, 2024. The system was built to be able to contain up to 400,000 gallons of water from the park and the nearby neighborhood while continuously draining it, achieved by funneling all the water into a rain garden: a small depression meant to hold excess water while it is drained into the tanks. After this storm, the rain garden was fully drained by noon the next day, showing off its impressive drainage capacity. While the park used to be a large muddy field, with proper drainage, it now contains a playground, baseball diamond, and many walkable green spaces to be enjoyed by the public According to one of the city’s representatives, the biggest measure of this project’s success was that residents have stopped emailing about fl d d/b k d b t h it i

y pp

stormwater containment system for an office building’s parking lot in Harrison, NY, pictured in Figure 10. In this case, the old concrete drainage

system suddenly destabilized, making the entire parking lot unsafe. The client was on a tight budget since this was an unanticipated expense, so it was imperative for them to repair or install a new system in as cost effective a manner as possible

They reached out to and worked with Ferguson to retrofit the old chamber with traffic rated R-Tanks and the other necessary systems to allow proper flow and drainage. In the end, the project was very successful and was able to keep the original concrete boundary intact, meaning that additional expenses were avoided, while providing a highly efficient water drainage system (Ferguson Waterworks 2024, 1). The takeaways we found important from this project were that the solution was very budget friendly compared to traditional systems and restored safe conditions and proper drainage for the entire parking lot It was also a minimally invasive installation, meaning that existing barriers were left untouched and additional repair or reconstruction was unnecessary Additionally, since part of the flooding at Samara occurs at the interface between the road and the start of the path, it is important that the system can be installed without disturbing or damaging the public road, since that belongs to the city. The success of this project shows that R-Tank systems can be strategically installed while avoiding such barriers and working around them, meaning that at Samara, this system wouldn’t cause significant issues.

While both of these projects were on a vastly larger scale than anything that would be installed at Samara, the case studies and visible results for each of these projects show the versatility and capability of such systems As mentioned before, our proposal only includes about 10 R-Tanks since the flooding path can be handled by a small system, but the lessons taken from other applications can help the success of this project at Samara. Additionally, these tanks have been tested and implemented in climates similar to West Lafayette, with both Pittsburgh and Harrison

experiencing very similar temperature highs and lows throughout the year. When properly installed, this should alleviate concerns about possible damage during harsh winters such as from water expanding, because these tanks are designed to function with minimal maintenance in normal conditions The R-Tanks are also made of polypropylene, a synthetic material specifically designed to resist rot, bacteria, fungi, and other chemicals present in soil, which gives each system an estimated lifespan of 40 years. (Ferguson Waterworks 2022)

Issue 2: Improving Path Appeal

Informational Signage

Due to the house's hidden location, many passersby may remain unaware of its historical significance To address this, our proposal includes the installation of two strategically placed informational signs, crafted with durable, eco-friendly materials from Pannier. These signs will provide minimal but impactful information about the house, respecting Wright’s design philosophy of understated elegance. By maintaining a balance between visibility and seclusion, this signage project aims to preserve the house as a “hidden gem,” encouraging local interaction without overwhelming its tranquil setting.

Additionally, the signs will include QR codes linking visitors to the Samara House’s website, where they can access information on tours, history, and ways to contribute to the house's upkeep Pannier is the leading manufacturer of outdoor signs for historical landmarks/monuments, museums, and nature trails (Pannier Graphics 2021). Their goal aligns with the Samara House’s preservation and environmental values. Pannier uses environmentally safe practices, creating longlasting and environmentally friendly products, by using water-based ink, raw materials free of lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium, sustainable forestry practices, recycled resins, and

biodegradable materials. Their commitment to eco-friendly production makes them an ideal partner, as their signage will integrate seamlessly with the natural surroundings while supporting the site’s preservation There would be two signs placed, one by the benches facing the house, and another by the original mulch path The one by the benches would have the history of the house and a QR code in which passersby can scan to learn more about the house The second sign would be a bit smaller and would have information about the intent behind the new mulch path. Both of the signs would be placed in a way that's still not conspicuous to trespassers, but if people are using the path to leave the neighborhood and not coming in, the signs will be noticeable. Having an information sign would allow the house to interact with the community in ways that may not seem like it. There is an area to the left of the house in which there are two benches and an open area, which would be a great area to place sign #1 This area can serve as a resting area with the benches and the giant shrub that would hide the sign in a

way it is hidden coming from NorthWestern st. Sign #1 would be a low profile, single pedestal. The image in Figure 12 is taken from the Pannier website, which shows what the sign would look like It is a 24x18 inch panel, tilted up to allow for easy reading, and not too tall to make it stand out The table below shows the prices for the panel The prices are an estimate, and Figure 11 below shows the proposed location for the larger sign

Sign #2 would be placed where the trail connects with the original trail. This sign would be a snake stake #3, which is a much smaller sign with a panel that is 6x12 inch. This sign would have the information about the original mulch path and the newer path. The image in Figure 14 is taken from the Pannier website. The table below shows the prices for this sign.

Surface mounted means the panel is fixed onto a flat surface, like wood or a rock This costs more

ed Sign #1 Location, Sign Model (Pannier Graphics 2021)

Figures 13 and 14

Proposed Sign #2 Location, Snake Stake Sign Model (Pannier Graphics 2021)

than if it were directly embedded. Directly embedded means the sign is “buried” into the ground. Signs from Pannier come with a 10 year warranty, such as if the ink is faded, if the panel is damaged, etc, they would replace it Also, you would have to install the signs yourself, but they do come with an installation manual The total cost for Sign #1 would be $650-680 The total cost for sign #2 would be around $310 With the materials being all natural, and with the 10 year warranty already included, the pricing is reasonable. Both surface mounted and directly embedded have their pros and cons, listed below:

SURFACE MOUNTED PROS

Less invasive; Preserves its natural surroundings

Easier to replace since it is not permanently fixed to its monument

Minimal risk of damage

Easy installation CONS

Not visually aesthetic

Risk of vandalism or theft

DIRECTLY EMBEDDED PROS

More durable and resistant to weather changes

Seamless integration (visually aesthetic) CONS

Permanent modification

Higher installation and maintenances

Weighing the pros and cons, directly embedding both signs would be the best option The reason why is because it would blend with its natural surroundings, creating a natural historical ambiance The signs would also be less eyecatching from further distances This is great because the unwanted trespassers coming from the stadium would not know it is a historical monument and damage the property, as it had happened in the past. The path also has lots of foot traffic, which the sign would need to be

resistant to wear and tear of the soil. Which is why rather than surface mounting the sign, embedding it into the ground gives it extra support Also, because it is directly embedded into the ground, there is a less risk of vandalism and theft of the sign As previously mentioned, the information sign would have a map of the trail and where to find the entrance, history of the house, information about FLW, and a QR code

This QR code will direct scanners to the Samara house website where they can learn more about the house and book a tour. Not only would it direct them to the website, but also to a donations page. The mulch path has always been free for the public to use, as an act of kind service, so setting up a donation page would be a great way for the community to give back to the Samara house. The mulch path was created for students to get to class faster, but it is also used by many others, including neighborhood residents If there is a page for people to donate to the house, all the funds would go into maintaining the mulch path and conserving the house Rather than having people pay to use the mulch path, which has a lot of flaws, setting up a donation page would strengthen the bond between the house and the community.

By providing a way for the community to give back. Having a historical landmark on the same street as their house, gives the people a sense of pride that their neighborhood is a bit more special than others. This would make them want to preserve and maintain that history. Instead of charging the people to use the path, as previously mentioned, setting up a donations page and adding the QR code to the donations page onto the information sign would be better because people won’t feel forced to help out Classy is a donations page where many other non-profit organizations, like Samara, use to set up a donation page Classy allows for customized appealing campaign pages, which allows users to personalize the campaign, making it more special and allows them to match the campaign to the

Stepping Stones

In addition to the sign, if we were to elevate the bench area’s appeal, it could gain a bit more attention Not only would it promote the house, but would also be a nice sitting area for the community Since the path is made of mulch and soil, when it rains the path gets muddy and slippery. If we were to add stepping stones, leading up to the sign by the benches, it would give visitors a dry place to stand and would also upgrade the resting area. Flagstone would be the best stepping stone for a mulch path. The stone has a natural, earthy look and color tones that blend with mulch. This would complement the landscape and blend with its natural surroundings.

historical significance of the Samara house Classy also has flexible recurring donation options allowing users to either donate one time or weekly, monthly, etc It also provides detailed reports on donor behavior and campaign performance which you can use as a guide on to improve the campaign if necessary (Charity Charge 2024). This makes it ideal for projects looking for long-time preservation support. Classy is also a branch of another donation website GoFundMe, which many people are familiar with This would help donors feel at ease knowing their transactions would be secure since GoFundMe has a good reputation and some people may have used it in the past.

Unlike other stones, flagstone has a flat, rough texture surface This makes it easy to walk, reducing the risk of tripping Also, when it rains, the rough texture gives it slip resistance, so visitors would be able to stand/walk on the stone more comfortably Flagstone is also a sturdy material that is able to withstand wear and tear from foot traffic, which is essential for outdoor paths. The stone is available in irregular shapes, which adds a rustic, more natural charm that fits the mulch path. While it has many pros, there are also some cons to the flagstone. It is a bit more expensive than other stones, however since the path wouldn’t need many stones, the cost would not be as expensive as it could be. Flagstones also tend to absorb water which may cause damage during

Figure 15 Design for the Information Sign

Figure 16 Photoshopped Image of Sign #1 Facing the House

Surface Group International is a family-owned company that has the best offer for flagstones. The materials the company uses are all natural The company also ships all products nationwide directly to your home As we researched other companies, they do not ship nationwide and if they do, the shipping cost is more expensive than surface groups shipping The company also has extensive knowledge about their products Including the origin of the materials, where the materials are safe to be used, how they should be applied, and the proper care to maintain a home or business. (Surface Group 2024). This transparency with their customers helps them build trust and form connections.

DETAILS:

22’’x 33’’ x 1 ½’’

1 5’’ thickness

$10 98/sq ft

5 042 sq ft per piece

Sold by piece

75 lb per piece

14 88 lb per sq ft

Sandstone

Rectangular shape

Autumn brown color

$55.44 per piece

$312 shipping

We would need approximately six stepping stones which would have a cost of $332.64. With shipping, the total cost would be $660. The

company also offers sample orders and a 20% off trade deal. To be eligible for a trade deal, you must be an architect (AIA), designer (ASID), licensed general contractor, or a licensed tile contractor Then you apply for the trade account with Surface Group With the 20% discount, the total cost would be $528 Compared to other companies who sell flagstones, Surface Group is the best, with its convenient location and ability to ship nationwide in addition to its affordable prices.

Conclusion

Our proposal aims to provide long-term, sustainable solutions to enhance the community engagement with the Samara house By doing research on trails at other Frank Lloyd Wright properties, we were able to take some inspiration from how those properties maintained their trials, and what problems they had run into This guided us to look into the feasibility of similar systems for Samara, and we eventually discovered the grass swale infiltration basin. By implementing a R-Tank infiltration system, we can address the water pooling issue at the bottom of the driveway and start of the path. This would help maintain the accessibility of the mulch path during heavy rainfalls with an effective, low-maintenance solution.

Many configurations are possible, and this system is cheaper than other options, allowing a highly versatile system tailored to the needs of Samara It will also be visually unobtrusive, preventing disruption of Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of blending the natural landscape with the house Another proposed form of improving the path’s experience is the installation of environmentally friendly signage that will offer educational value and link visitors to Samara house by using QR codes.

The signs will explain the intent behind the path, give a history of FLW himself, and explain features of the house, while also informing the

Figure 18. Photoshopped Image of Stepping Stones Leading to the Bench Area

reader that the site is surveilled to discourage vandalism and trespassing The QR codes can link to Samara’s website to offer opportunities to book a tour and a donation site to help with maintenance of the property Also, by enhancing the sitting area by adding flagstone stepping

stones, this area can provide a comfortable, dry area for visitors to rest while also engaging with the house Together, we believe that these improvements can promote Samara’s legacy by making it more accessible, informative, and enjoyable to all visitors

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