The SC Johnson Company commissioned FLW to create an administration building that has become one of the most famous FLW buildings if not one of the worlds most famous buildings. The sign for the company seen under the Golden Rondelle
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The visitor center was build around the "flying saucer" which was the company's exhibit at the 1964 NY world's fair called the "Golden Rondelle". More at http://www.nywf64.com/johwax01.shtml
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The Golden Rondelle was returned to Racine after the fair and Taliesin designed this building in the style of the original building to incorporate it as a theater in a visitor center.
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Unfortunately, tours don't allow you to photograph the buildings up close or inside, but you get to see the building inside - it's spectacular. Here you see the tower build as a second stage of construction in the 50s and some of the glass on the main building.
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This is the famous Corning glass tube ring around the main building.
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Detail of the glass tubes.
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Fence and gate
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The Johnsons Wax building in Racine, WI is considered one of the most spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright buildings.
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The visitor center used a molded plastic window that only looks like the tubes on the original building, but was cheaper and leaks less!
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The tower and to the left some details from the upper stories of the main building.
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Detail from the upper floors of the main building
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View through a fence
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Some more detail on the main building. Look closely in the lower center on the round section and you can see workers doing repairs which are needed continuously.
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You can see more detail on the main building, but the only way to see it properly is from the air! Here are more photos: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/FLW_JWax.html
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A view from another angle. You can see the upper floors and ring of windows.
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The globe was part of the original design but not built until the tower was built in the 50s.
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Original FLW design chairs. In our tour group was the granddaughter of the upholster.
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Original desk and chair from FLW
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Roll our drawers on the desk.
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A new building is being planned to display the replica of a plane used to explore South America in the 30s looking for carnauba wax.
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Model of the building created for Johnsons Wax by FLW apprentice Hulda Drake ( Johnson Wax photo from "Frank Lloyd Wright and the Johnson Wax Building by Jonathan Lipman)
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Details of the tower which uses a spine structure with alternating square and round floors.
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