Miller Planetarium 2026: Frank Lloyd Wright's Only Planetarium
Frank Lloyd Wright's 1950s Miller Planetarium at Florida Southern College reopened on September 26, 2026, following a major restoration.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Miller Planetarium, Frank Lloyd Wright's sole built planetarium, reopened on September 26, 2026.
- MCWB Architects restored original circular seating and integrated a new digital projection system.
- The 1950s structure located in Florida Southern College had suspended regular star shows since 2004.
After more than two decades without regular astronomical shows, the Miller Planetarium—the only built planetarium designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright—has reopened its doors at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. The venue officially welcomed the public back on September 26, 2026, following an extensive restoration led by Jeff Baker of MCWB Architects. The 1950s structure now features its original circular seating layout restored alongside a modern digital projection system that illuminates the dome overhead.
Situated at the southern end of the Polk Science Building, the planetarium is part of the college's collection of thirteen Wright-designed structures. Built between 1954 and 1958, the pale concrete building features geometric textile blocks and a white dome that rises above the surrounding low-slung campus architecture. Wright had spent decades exploring planetarium concepts before incorporating one into his master plan for Florida Southern, with the very first show taking place in April 1960, a year after his passing.
Restoring historic architectural masterpieces requires balancing preservation with modern functionality. Utilizing advanced methods like 3D printing to recreate custom concrete textile blocks demonstrates how contemporary fabrication techniques can successfully protect mid-century heritage without compromising architectural integrity.
Exterior restoration work began in 2021 to combat years of water infiltration and concrete deterioration. MCWB Architects replaced roofing sections, repaired failing stucco, and cast over 280 decorative geometric textile blocks around the perimeter. These blocks match the original architectural language developed by Wright across the campus, utilizing modern 3D-printed molds to replicate the historical patterns accurately.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Interior restoration efforts focused on recovering the authentic spatial layout, which had been disrupted by decades of sporadic repairs and technological additions. The removal of a computer closet installed in the 1980s allowed architects to return Wright's original curved plywood benches to their intended concentric ring arrangement around the projection area. Local craftspeople meticulously repaired the surviving seating, preserving its distinctive curved forms and colored vinyl upholstery.
The final phase introduced a COSM digital projection system and Bowen sound system, replacing outdated equipment that had kept the facility dark since 2004. While the building saw occasional utility after the original projector failed, regular educational programming was halted. With the new technology fully operational, the restored auditorium can once again host presentations on the solar system and distant galaxies for students and visiting school groups.
The reopening advances the broader campus preservation initiative originally commissioned by college president Ludd Spivey in 1938. Previous preservation milestones include the Waterdome, the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, and the campus concrete esplanades. Visitors can once again take their seats beneath the restored red interior, experiencing the educational vision Frank Lloyd Wright originally intended for the Florida Southern community.
Source: designboom
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