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Henry Whiting '73 delivers Sirchio Lecture

Click here to view the full recording of the Sirchio Lecture given by Henry Whiting '73 on April 24, 2024.

Cranbrook Schools alumnus Henry Whiting II ‘73, restorer and resident of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Teater Studio, spoke on campus as part of Cranbrook Schools' Sirchio Distinguished Speaker Series. Whiting shared his journey restoring his Frank Lloyd Wright home, Teater's Knoll in Bliss, Idaho. Whiting told the story of how his interest in architecture that was nurtured by his uncle Alden Dow grew inter a greater passion during  his time at Cranbrook. At University of Wisconsin his ambition to become a golf course architect was derailed by an architecture course that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. This led Whiting to research and purchase the Archie Teater Studio in Bliss, Idaho. Built in 1952 for a well-known painter, "Teeter's Knoll" was the only artist studio ever constructed to a Wright design. Whiting has restored the building over the years and opens it regularly to students and fans of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Whiting shared photos of architecture that ignited his passion for Wright's work, along with other projects he has been involved in over the years. His talk demonstrated how an appreciation for the beauty around us can become a lifelong calling. Whiting exemplified how one can become a true steward of the resources they come to cherish. In many ways, his talk provided a wonderful  highlighted the ambition of George and Ellen Booth's educational philosophy: to surround young people with both natural and man-made beauty in the hope that they would develop a deep appreciation for it. 

Prior to the lecture Whiting shared his understanding of Frank Lloyd Wright's design principles with Cranbrook Kingswood students from the History of Modern Architecture class. He toured the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Smith House with the class and shared his stories of earlier visits there with homeowners Sara and Melvyn Smith, as they swapped tales of life in a Frank Lloyd Wright gem.

View more photos from Henry Whiting's lecture and visit here: https://bit.ly/ckalumgallery

Inaugurated in 1993 by alumnus Kris Sirchio `83, the Sirchio Distinguished Speaker Series brings amazing alumni back to inspire students to follow their passion, aim high and believe anything is possible.
Past speakers have included Michael Barone ‘62, Daniel Ellsberg ‘48, Sven Birkerts ‘69, Ward Just ‘53, Natalie Zemon Davis '45, Michael Hodges ’73, Tod Williams ‘61 and Billie Tsien, Rob Edwards ‘81, planetary scientist Cathy Sybert Olkin '84, and author Edmund White ’58.

If you know of an alum who would be a good candidate to deliver a Sirchio Lecture, please email your suggestion to alumni@cranbrook.edu.

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