Corbin Education Center at Wichita State

1957

North Yal ave. at E 21st St. N.
Wichita, KS 67208

Dorothy and I visited the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Corbin Education Center on the campus of Wichita State University on the morning of Monday, March 27, 2023.  We were in route to Bartlesville, Oklahoma from Kansas City, Kansas, as part of our 2023 Grand Ole Opry trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the hour and a half that we spent exploring this unusual structure, which is based on an eight foot square grid.  The reflecting pool was still drained (they drain it during the winter each year), and Spring had not had time to work its magic with the grounds, but the Corbin Center was quite beautiful on this rather blustery day.  Wright’s original plan also included a second complex for an elementary lab school.  This second building was based on grid of concentric circles, and would probably have been a more interesting building than the current Corbin complex had it been built.  The school was never built–  it was delayed for lack of funds, then the state of Kansas decided to do away with lab schools.  For me, the highlight of the visit were the two light needles, and the esplanade that connects them, and the two wings of the center.  We also enjoyed exploring the classrooms and common areas, looking for FLW designed furnishing.  We found quite a few!  I am glad we took the time to stop and see this unique (aren’t they all???) FLW site.  I hope you enjoy my photos.