Nakoma Clubhouse

Wrightgeek · Post by **Wrightgeek** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 9:37 pm

As a follow-up to the post about the King Kamehameha Club earlier this week, here is a link to a story about the FLW Nakoma Clubhouse design for Madison, WI, which was eventually built about ten years ago in altered form for a a golf club in Northern California.

Interestingly enough, there seems to be a link between these two FLW derived clubhouses, as mentioned in this story.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/308796

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:34 pm

The drawings, reproduced in Monograph 5, are among the finest I've seen from Taliesin. I wonder if Wright drew them himself, during this slow period in his career. The eight elevation and section sheets are just delicious, and of an unusual format, more than twice as wide as their height. The characteristic random ashlar is lovingly depicted, as is the the complex and extensive millwork. Wright was 59 that year.

The notes claim that this was to be the first structure in the Western World to be equipped with gravity heat.

SDR

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:29 am

WG - Thanks for posting this. Very interesting to learn about this design and it's history over time.

David

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 2:58 pm

The new owners are embarking on making this a full service resort destination not just a golf course with a restaurant. The article contains details of their near future construction plans.

http://www.nevadabusiness.com/2014/10/d ... ub-nakoma/

If you haven't visited, this site is located in a beautiful mountainous part of California. Approximately an hour north of Reno, NV.

pharding · Post by **pharding** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:14 pm

There is a book on the clubhouse. http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Wrights-Nak ... club+house
The original design by Wright was much more elegant than the reworked version by Taliesin Associates that was built in Northern California.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:49 am

http://savewright.org/wright_chat/viewt ... ght=nakoma

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:48 pm

The Nakoma Golf Resort is disposing of all of their Rattenbury-designed Wrightian furniture. The list includes: 72 dining chairs, varying colors, 16 lounge chairs, varying colors, 14 Medium dining tables, 19 large dining tables, assorted other tables.

It appears that they are intent on turning it into just another generic resort destination with all of its uniqueness removed.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:09 pm

Disposing of? Does that mean dumpster or auction?

http://www.steinerag.com/flw/Artifact%2 ... a2012I.htm

Do the scroll...

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:17 pm

The furnishings, while not necessarily masterful, certainly belong where they are rather than elsewhere -- in my opinion. Whatever replaces them can only be less fitting . . .

SDR

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 8:58 am

I suspect the decision to remove the Taliesin designed furniture has to do with flexibility in the use of the spaces, and the ability to have the space generate much needed revenue by being able to be used for a variety of functions. The chairs and tables currently in place in the linked pictures are aesthetically appropriate to the building and are in keeping with Wright's furniture designs of the era, but they cannot be folded or stacked and easily moved and stored for different set-ups.

This move will lead to a loss of continuity in the aesthetics, but if it will keep the facility from failing financially and following that familiar downward spiral, it will be somewhat justifiable. One hopes the pieces to be removed find good homes in an appropriate or at least appreciative setting. At least we have pictures of the original setting...

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:17 pm

It appears that they would like to sell them, but have no idea of what price to ask.

Whether they would be willing to sell individual pieces is unknown at this time.

If you are interested contact: jennifer@nakomagolfresort.com

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:21 pm

I think a table and 4 to 6 chairs would look great in a Drummond designed dining room....in Iowa.

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Fri Jun 26, 2015 2:28 pm

New Furniture to replace the Wright-inspired furniture by John Ratternbury

http://nakomagolfresort.com/progess/?ut ... dium=email

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:27 am

article
http://www.sacmag.com/Sacramento-Magazi ... st-Sierra/

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Fri Dec 23, 2016 12:41 pm

The writers just can't resist the salacious even when the historic truth is so obvious...Wright'a relationships were old news by 1929; the stock market crash ended this and other projects.

I like the clubhouse and would like to visit it. so little of Wright's work from this period was built or survived.