Crafting the American Home

“Residential work […] remained his signature; though most architects who begin their careers designing houses avoid them when they have the opportunity to move onto large, more prestigious, and better-paying large-scale buildings, Wright continued to design houses” (235).

The Book

At first glance, Frank Lloyd Wright: The Houses, with photographs by Alan Weintraub and text by Alan Hess, is the typical coffee table book—full of commanding photographs introducing readers to numerous Wright homes. But, the book does more than that, it provides a biography of Wright through the lens of his designs.

In his early days (late 1880s-early 1900s), Wright focused on designs for houses, switching between traditional and experimental. His experiments soon led to what we call the Prairie Style today and many of them were built in the Chicago suburbs. These designs were the right fit for his middle-class clients who were self-made, active in the suburbs, and had children. Later, Wright’s designs were influenced by his time in Los Angeles and Arizona, and experimented with different materials like concrete blocks.

The 1930s brought a renewed interest in Wright’s style and, at 68, he became a celebrated architect. His houses were both large scale (like Fallingwater) and smaller sizes for the suburban middle class. He never stopped experimenting with materials or shapes, allowing him to continue to push the boundaries of residential architecture. Today, Wright’s influence can be seen on the mid-century ranch, the layout of the family home, and the embedding of a home in nature.

Frank Lloyd Wright: The Houses is first and foremost, a photography book. The exterior and interior of the featured homes are put on display, allowing the viewer to see the similarities, differences, and attention to detail. Wright didn’t just design houses; he also designed the furniture and fixtures. Some of the photos have detailed captions, but I often wished to see more connection between the essays and the photos. This would have helped me visualize what the essays described. The book is not meant to be read straight through and some of the essays can get quite detailed. Readers can pick a time period, read about it, or flip through the photos.

The Place

When you hear the name Frank Lloyd Wright, you don’t typically associate it with Ohio. Yet, nestled in an unassuming neighborhood of Springfield, Ohio is the Westcott House. While it isn’t one of the feature homes in Frank Lloyd Wright: The Houses, it has a lot of similarities with the ones that are included.

I had previously toured the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park, Illinois. The Westcott House had many similarities, despite being built about a decade later. Our tour guide pointed out architectural details unique to the home and typical of a Wright house. The tour begins in one side of the gift shop—which used to be the garage, and continues through the backyard into the first floor living areas. As you walk through the first and second floors, you also learn about Burton and Orpha Westcott, prominent Springfield citizens.

The Westcott House is open for guided tours, three times a day, that last roughly 90 minutes. They are closed on Mondays and major holidays. There is an admission fee and street parking.

The Center of Ohio Government

“Built in an age when Americans believed that public architecture could shape beliefs, refine discourse, and instill patriotism, the Statehouse symbolizes the solidarity and permanence of Ohio’s government” (12).

The Book

Ohio Statehouse: A Building for the Ages does more than provide the history statehouse, it presents a building that has three purposes: a memorial to important Ohioans, the seat of state government, and an educational center. Authors Cheryl Straker and Chris Matheney walk readers through a “tour” of the Capitol Square, a ten-acre plot in Columbus made up of the Statehouse, Senate Building, Atrium, and grounds.

Unlike many state capitol cities, Columbus was not a pre-established town when it was chosen as the third location for Ohio’s state capitol. In 1812, four prominent men donated the ten-acre plot and a statehouse building opened in 1816. It wasn’t long until a new statehouse was needed, for safety and size needs. The legislature held a design competition and the top three designs were merged into a composite final design. Convicts began work in 1839, cutting Ohio limestone for the foundation, but it took 22 years to complete. Delays came from arguments amongst legislators, a cholera outbreak, and insufficient funds. The Ohio Statehouse went through a $10 million restoration project from 1990-1996. It is considered one of the best examples of Greek-revival architecture and, according to Frank Lloyd Wright, it is “the most honest of all American statehouses” (20).

Throughout the “tour”, readers are able to peak into the legislative chambers, hearing rooms, and offices. They also learn how the purposes of various sections have changed over the years and the meticulous detail that went into the historically accurate restoration. One totally random fact, that I can’t help but share: there once was a squirrel house served Columbus’s squirrel population. Citizens could come watch the squirrels explore the multiple rooms, porches, doors, and windows. Sadly, the squirrel house was demolished in 1917; but there are still plenty of monuments to see in Capitol Square.

Ohio Statehouse: A Building for the Ages is a thin version of a coffee table book, going a bit more in-depth than a guided tour. The images, photos, and sketches take precedent over the text and quotes from historically significant individuals are set apart. The section on the grounds and monuments was unique for its detailed descriptions, explaining why monuments were erected and including the inscriptions on the monuments. The book is thorough, even including information about the underground parking garage!

The Place

The Ohio Statehouse is not a tall building, but it commands attention in the heart of Columbus. Situated in the Capitol Square complex, the Statehouse is surrounded by a public park and monuments. Ohio has done a great job of using the Statehouse to both govern and educate, using every level of the building:

• The interactive exhibits of the Museum Education Center allow visitors the opportunity to learn about state government and hear from former legislators.
• The Map Room displays a 20’ x 20’ map of the state where visitors can walk across the counties.
• The artwork in the Rotunda highlights significant moments in Ohio history and influential Ohioans.
• The legislative chambers and offices provide inspiring settings for the work of governing.

My favorite part of the tour was the Rotunda and Cupola, because of the history depicted and the architectural features. Our tour guide explained that the legislature wanted both a cupola and a dome, so the architects gave them both. From the outside, you see a cupola, and from the rotunda, you see a dome.

When visiting the Ohio Statehouse, you have two options: free guided or self-guided tours. Guided tours are available seven days a week, with the exception of state holidays. Tours begin in the Map Room and are offered on the hour (times differ between weekdays and weekends). Reservations are not required for groups of 9 or less. If you choose a self-guided tour on the weekend, know that the House and Senate Chambers are locked. Our guided tour only included the House Chamber. Once your tour is complete, you are free to roam the halls, gaze up in the rotunda, visit the museum, and stop by the Ladies Gallery.

The People of Illinois’s House

“The building captures the architectural beauty of the late 19^th century while, at the same time, holding on to its abundant political and social history” (7).

The Book

The Illinois Statehouse by James R. Donelan and Steven W. Dyer introduces the reader to the history and construction of Illinois’s sixth capitol building. A part of the Images of America series, the focus is on images (instead of mainly text with a few images). 

In 1836, “The Long Nine” (a group of nine Illinois state representatives and senators from the Springfield area and all over six feet tall, including Abraham Lincoln), worked together to move the state capitol from Vandalia to Springfield. By 1867, the state legislature had outgrown the state capitol building. Construction began on the current state capitol in 1868 and took 20 years to be completed. Since then, the building has seen many changes and gone through extensive restorations to be historically accurate. 

Donelan and Dyer begin their book with images of the construction, making the reader appreciate the painstaking work that went into creating this 405-foot-tall opulent building. The following chapters focus on each of the four floors, the dome, and the grounds. The authors point out interesting architecture features, highlight the different uses of various spaces, explain the significance of the artwork, and share fun facts about state officials. One room, 309, served as the original state natural history museum, library, reception area, Secretary of State’s office, a lounge, and is now Senate offices. 

This book was a quick read and it complemented what I remembered from my tour of the Illinois State Capitol. Photos didn’t just focus on the building, but also showed people at work or enjoying commemorative events during different time periods. The photos did have lengthy captions, to help provide the reader context. Personally, I would have liked a bit more to read; but it is part of a series focused on images.

The Place

The first several times I visited the Illinois State Capitol were work related, for three years I was the District Director for an Illinois State Representative. I had the opportunity to attend inauguration, participate in training, and observe a couple of days when the House of Representatives was in session. Those were incredible experiences, but it wasn’t until after I had left that position that I was able to take a tour of the building, which I highly recommend for both Illinois residents and visitors. Each time I visited the Illinois State Capitol, I easily became awestruck by the architectural details and feats. I found my gaze drawn upwards to the features in the dome or I would pause every few steps to investigate something unique.

Tours are available Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 9am-3pm. After going through a bag search and metal detector (this is a functioning government building), visitors can head to the Tours/Information Office on the first floor. The building will be more crowded on weekdays and in the afternoon, especially if the House and Senate are in session. The tour takes visitors through the House and Senate Galleries and each of the main floors. Along the way, you learn about the history, significant people, and architecture and artwork. If you have time after your tour, make sure to explore on your own; it is worth the time.

Individuals who have been vaccinated are not required to wear masks and social distancing is recommended for all visitors.

The Architect and the Chicago Skyscraper

“[The Rookery’s] dramatic interior is one of the best examples of [Burnham and Root] working together, each contributing to the architectural quality of the outcome” (34).

The Book

Daniel H. Burnham: Visionary Architect and Planner by Kristen Schaffer attempts to remedy the past treatment of Burnham by showing his influence in designing architecture, as well as managing an architecture firm. According to Schaffer, Burnham deserves more credit for his work in designing numerous significant buildings, as opposed to history focusing on his managerial skills.

There are five sections to the book: a brief introduction and historical treatment, Burnham’s work with his first architecture partner (John Root), the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and immediately following, the City Beautiful movement and later buildings, and historical treatment. These sections are more focused on Burnham’s professional work and an in-depth look at significant buildings. A reader learns of architectural detail in a way that is accessible and gains insight into the mind of Burnham. The main takeaway is that Burnham had a wide-ranging impact on architecture, the role and look of the office building, city planning, and firm management.

One of the best parts about this book are the numerous photographs showcasing the wide variety of buildings Burnham designed or collaborated on. Of course, Burnham is known for his work in Chicago (including The Rookery and Marshall Fields, now Macy’s), but he also designed significant buildings in Washington, DC (Union Station), New York City (Flatiron Building), Philadelphia (Wanamaker’s, now Macy’s), and London (Selfridge’s). The text frequently refers to the photographs to help the reader see the intricacies of the architecture and development in Burnham’s design.

The Place

The Rookery is one of those buildings that words have a difficult time describing. At the time it was built, it was the largest office building in Chicago (eleven stories) and the indoor light court leaves visitors with a sense of awe. We were downtown Chicago one day and decided to stop in The Rookery. It is located just down the block from the Chicago Board of Trade and while the eleven stories of the Rookery may appear dwarfed, it still holds its own and the interior is breathtaking. Because the building houses shops and eateries (as well as businesses) you are able to walk in off the street and explore the lobby. Visitors will find information about both the original construction and the renovation by Frank Lloyd Wright.

If you would like to explore The Rookery further, the Chicago Architecture Center offers several walking tours that include this historic skyscraper. While I haven’t been on one of these specific tours, I have been on another tour by the Center and it was informative and interesting.

Eyes Drawn Upward

“Dark, strong, powerful, maybe even a little threatening-like a muscle-bound, Prohibition era gangster clad in a tuxedo-the John Hancock Center says ‘Chicago’…” (101).

“And from certain vantage points, the [Sears] tower possesses a stepped-back silhouette that dominates the skyline…” (107).

The Book

Why Architecture Matters: Lessons from Chicago is a collection of Blair Kamin’s architecture columns from the Chicago Tribune, between 1992 and 2000. The columns cover building proposals and changes, Chicago architects, sports stadiums, the suburbs, skyscrapers, and the lakefront. The reader can tell that Kamin is protective of the Chicago style and the influence it has and continues to have.

Two of the columns focus specifically on the John Hancock Center and the Sears (now Willis) Tower, the “bookends” of the Chicago skyline. Kamin introduces the reader to facts about each skyscraper and the impact they have on the city. The column on the John Hancock Center is a well-written architectural description and details the impact it has on the other buildings and neighborhood. The column on the Sears Tower provides facts about the tower, including the two decades it spent as the world’s tallest building.

According to Kamin, “The best [skyscrapers]…transcend everything and become civic art” (112). The main civic art of Chicago is its skyline and the sense of wonder it can impart. Kamin’s columns provide a detailed story of the past, present, and future of Chicago architecture. Reading the book 14 years after it was published allows the reader to visual the changes described. It is a word tour that allows the reader to travel throughout Chicago history and visualize the impact of the city that invented the skyscraper.

The Place

It is easy to keep your eyes to the sky as you walk downtown Chicago. The historic buildings and ground-breaking skyscrapers entice you to look up. I love walking out of the Metra train station and being immediately engulfed by the towering buildings lining the Chicago River. As you move closer to Lake Michigan, the buildings shorten and suddenly you have the blue lake in front of you and the towering skyline behind you.

The view from the ground can only be matched by the view from the top. Both the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower provide opportunities to observe the city from above. 360 Chicago at the John Hancock Center is 1,000 feet above Michigan Ave. The observatory provides views from all sides and interactive technology that provides information about the skyline. TILT allows visitors to lean over the edge in an all glass case. 360 Chicago is open year-round and there is a general admission cost for adults and children. Skydeck at the Willis Tower is 1,353 feet above the ground and allows visitors to step out on an all glass ledge to view the city below. When you are not on the ledge, you can walk around the observatory for great views of the city. The Skydeck is also open year-round and has general admission cost.

Because the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower are on opposite ends of the skyline, they both provide fantastic and different views of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Prairie Style Architect

Frank Lloyd Wright: “When creative effort is involved, there are no trivial circumstances. The most trivial of them may ruin the whole issue. Eternal vigilance is the only condition of creation in architecture” (67) 


The Book   

My Father, Frank Lloyd Wright by John Lloyd Wright is a unique look at Wright the Father. The general public already knows Wright the Architect. The biography is a collection of memories and stories; each chapter a new topic or event. According to his son, Frank Lloyd Wright was more interested in playtime with his children than academic training. Instead of going to school for training, John Lloyd Wright works with his father and learns how to be an architect.

Despite the focus on Wright as a father, the book can’t help but touch on Wright as an architect. The reader gets a glimpse into how he viewed creating and designing buildings. An interesting side note, which is briefly touched on in the book, is that John Lloyd Wright is the inventor of Lincoln Logs. 

The Place   

Last summer one of my friends was giving tours at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. My other friend and I decided to spend a Saturday in Oak Park, IL taking the tour. Oak Park is about 11 miles west of Chicago, but it is easy to forget how close you are to the city. The downtown area quickly blends into neighborhoods with large trees and picturesque houses.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio is at 951 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302. The home is set back from the street and in close proximity to other Prairie Style buildings. The tour begins at the back of the house and visitors are led down the sidewalk to the front. You enter through the front door, as if you are visiting the Wright’s. My favorite room on the tour was the children’s playroom. It is a large room with windows at a child’s eyelevel. The studio is also unique and provides a glimpse into Wright’s creations. 

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the Home and Studio without a photography pass. A walking tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District takes visitors through the Oak Park neighborhood. The Unity Temple, designed by Wright in the early 1900s, is a short walk from the Home and Studio. Tours are available as well.