About

The Full Story

The residence located in the Little Springs Botanical Gardens was designed by the “Dean of Orlando Architecture”, Nils Schweizer. As a student of Frank Lloyd Wright at the prestigious Taliesin Fellowship program, and later as Frank Lloyd Wright's southern United States representative, Mr. Schweizer was instrumental in the overseeing and design of Florida Southern College’s campus. As Central Florida’s largest and most influential architect during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, Schweizer has designed such well-known buildings as Loch Haven Art Center (1964), Orlando International Airport, Epcot Center's Mexican pavilion, the St. Luke Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Orlando and the addition to the Orlando Public Library (1985).

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Dr. and Mrs. Willis Bidgood who owned the property at 1185, retained Nils Schweizer to design a residence in a natural setting. Schweizer’s design was based on Frank Lloyd’s Wright’s concept of The Prairie House and “Principles of Organic Architecture”. To be Organic Architecture the structure must become a natural part of the landscape. A Prairie House structure would have gently sloping roofs, sheltered overhangs, integration of the building with its natural site, and windows throughout the structure so that with the open spaces of the interior, no matter where one stood, they were immersed in nature.

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Dr. Bidgood practiced in Deland from 1951 to 1975. He was the first surgical specialist to live in Deland and the first Chief of Staff for the Fish Memorial Hospital in Deland. Mrs. Bidgood with the love of nature and plants was instrumental in developing the landscape and introducing many of the plant species found on the property.

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Richard and Sandra Wiskeman were the next stewards (caretakers as we like to call the owners) of

the property who maintained the relationship of love and appreciation of being surrounded by nature.

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Krickett and Kritter are currently working on adding their unique touch to the property's landscape begun by the Bidgood's and Wiskerman families, as well as maintaining the architectural beauty designed by Nils Schweizer. It is a blending of time, past and present, ensuring the grounds remain as stunning as ever for the future in which transformations will flow with collaboration of local naturalists and Nature.

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