We had the pleasure of attending the Beaufort County Open Land Trust’s biannual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Auldbrass Plantation, in Yemassee, South Carolina. It was a real treat to see this property. It has been so lovingly cared for, both in restoration of the original construction and in fruition of many of Wright’s plans that were never realized by the original owner.
The property is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only “plantation,” which in this case means that it is a sprawling compound with multiple outbuildings, barns and pastures. All the buildings are unassuming from the exterior, designed to fit into the landscape of large live oaks and a cypress pond. In fact, the buildings are famously devoid of right angles, the exterior walls angled to mimic the monstrous oaks that surround them.
There are a number of other design elements that reflect the locale. The Auldbrass symbol which is cut out of the clerestories throughout the house is said to be representative of the Yemassee Indians in a boat. The copper downspouts are sculptural homages to the spanish moss that drips from the oaks all around. The plan of the main house is regionally appropriate, designed to lessen the heat gain in the hot, humid climate.
Wright’s signature Cherokee red is prevalent, from the gravel (which we were told is painted to match now!) to the custom cars that Wright commissioned.
See an older post about our visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Broad Margin” house in Greenville, South Carolina by following this link.
