Originally founded in January 1983, the Friends of Kebyar (FOK) started as an international network of people who advocate for the promotion and preservation of organic architecture, with an emphasis on the work and teachings of American architect, Bruce Alonzo Goff. The mission of the group was to promote the creative legacy of Bruce Goff, advance the tenets of Organic Architecture, and to bring attention to the works of original artists of meaning, integrity, and respect for the natural environment. The primary means of achieving these goals was originally through the publication of the Friends of Kebyar Journal and the establishment of a network of practitioners who embody Kebyar's mission.
"Kebyar" is a Balinese word literally meaning "the process of flowering." It also designates a style in Balinese music and art connoting strength and vigor. Bruce Goff chose "Kebyar" as the name for a school of creative arts and architecture he was planning at the time of his death.
As the years progressed and time took its toll on members passing, it became clear that the FOK organization had reached a point of natural change. Forty years is quite a run for any non-profit.
With this in mind, FOK had the opportunity to merge with the Organic Architecture and Design Archives, Inc. at the end of 2024. It will now continue its focus on preserving the legacy of Bruce Goff and his students as a sub committee of OA+D. The Friends of Kebyar and OA+D are completely aligned in their missions to preserve, publish, and promote the legacy of organic architecture.
Moving forward, FOK will exist under the OA+D Archives umbrella. With the combined resources of the OA+D Archives, we will bring back long missed annual events, FOK topics will continue to be represented in the long-running Journal OA+D, and much more. All the important aspects of FOK can be preserved while working together with the larger organic community. It's not an end, but a new beginning.
Support the continued efforts to preserve, protect, and promote the legacy of Bruce Goff and organic architecture by becoming a subscriber to the Friends of Kebyar.
Visit our web store to order past copies of the FOK journal or become a brand new subscriber of the Journal OA+D. To subscribe via the mail, please send your check made out to "OA+D Archives" to:
OA+D Archives
365 S. Arizona Ave
Chandler, AZ, 85225