Oct 6 2015
SC Johnson was awarded a 2015 Wright Spirit Award on October 3 by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.
The image series serves as a data basis for the reconstruction of the 3D electron tomogram. Copyright: Migunov, V. et al. Sci. Rep. 5, 14516, 2015 (CC BY 4.0)
SC Johnson was selected for its stalwart commitment to preserving its signature Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings, including the restoration and opening to the public of its Research Tower, and continued commitment to creating important architectural works.
"We are honored to be a recipient of a Wright Spirit Award," said Kelly Semrau, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at SC Johnson. "Frank Lloyd Wright's lasting presence on our campus and throughout our company has inspired a sense of adventure and creativity, and his impact is something we celebrate every day when we come to work. Our commitment to his legacy is SC Johnson's mission because our histories are so intertwined."
SC Johnson's association with Frank Lloyd Wright dates back nearly 80 years. In 1936, third generation SC Johnson leader H.F. Johnson Jr. sought Wright. Designs were already in development for the company's new Administration Building, but Johnson wanted a new, more modern approach, even though ground had already been broken and construction was set to start when Wright was brought up as an alternative.
The relationship between Wright and Johnson helped define Wright's career as much as it helped to define the SC Johnson global headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin. The first building Wright designed for the Johnson company was the Administration Building, which opened in 1939, followed by the Research Tower, which opened in 1950.