Restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright's Only Planetarium in Florida
Florida Southern College completes a meticulous renovation of its rare Wright-designed planetarium structure.
1Restoring Wright's Unique Vision
Florida Southern College has officially reopened the only planetarium ever designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Located at the Polk County Science Building, the structure had remained largely closed since 2004 due to projection system failures. This project represents a significant milestone in the college's ongoing multi-decade effort to preserve its historic campus.
2Exterior Facade and Tile Work
Renovation efforts on the building exterior commenced in 2021 under the guidance of resident architect Jeff Baker. The team replaced the roof, flashings, and failed stucco on the upper facade. Crucially, they restored over 280 hand-cast textile tiles that line the perimeter, ensuring the building maintains its original aesthetic and structural integrity.
3Reclaiming the Interior Space
Starting in 2023, the interior restoration focused on removing decades of intrusive interventions that had altered Wright's original design. Workers dismantled a computer closet added in the 1980s, allowing the team to reinstate the seating in its original circular form. This layout is considered a rare survival among planetariums across the country.
4Material and Finish Restoration
The restoration team meticulously reinstated original paint and plaster finishes throughout the interior. They also restored the floor to its signature Cherokee Red finish and refurbished the original plywood and vinyl seating. These efforts were designed to return the room to its intended state, stripping away modern additions that obscured the architect's vision.
5Modernizing Elemental Architecture
Integrating modern audio and projection technology proved challenging due to Wright's elemental design approach. Because the concrete floors serve as ceilings for rooms below, there are no hidden spaces to conceal modern building systems. The team devised sensitive methods to insert these necessary upgrades without compromising the integrity of the historic structure.
6Campus Heritage Plan Framework
The project was guided by the Campus Heritage Plan, originally prepared in 2007 with support from the J. Paul Getty Foundation. This document has served as the primary roadmap for updating the college's thirteen Wright-designed buildings. The university has been systematically restoring these structures since 2007 to ensure long-term preservation and public access.
7Historical Significance of FSC
Florida Southern College remains the only campus master-planned by Frank Lloyd Wright. Commissioned in 1938, the site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2012. It currently holds the largest single-site collection of Wright architecture in the world, including the Waterdome fountain, the Esplanades, and the iconic Annie Pfieffer Chapel.
8Public Access and Legacy
Following the completion of these extensive renovations, the Planetarium is now open to both the campus community and the general public for tours and screenings. This restoration ensures that future generations can experience the synthesis of art and structure that defines Wright's work, securing the building's future as a functional historic landmark.