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THE ROBIE HOUSE
5757 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Chicago's neighborhoods have a particular charm and appearance. The city is also known for the work of world
famous architects that influenced modern architecture. Burnham and Root; Adler and
Sullivan; Graham, Anderson, Probst and White; and Skidmore Owings and Merrill are just a
few firms that shaped Chicago's downtown with designs that challenged vertical limits and
gave rise to new artistic styles. In residential construction, perhaps no one impacted
twentieth century architecture more than Chicago's Frank Lloyd Wright. The Robie House,
located in Hyde Park, is an excellent example of the Prairie School of Architecture
associated with Wright. It is considered to be among the last of his Prairie School
houses, and thought by many to be the culmination of his efforts to create new
architecture embodying American ideals.
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| The house was commissioned by Fredrick Carlton Robie, a young bicycle and motorcycle manufacture. Robie wanted a house filled with light that allowed for maximum privacy. The Robie House and its plan consist of parallel planes of brick, limestone and concrete that provide a strong sense of lowness. Recessed windows combined with overhanging eaves make the roof seem to float. On the interior, space flows openly from room to room, which is a hallmark of Wright's planning. Walls of windows, which light spaces and provide enclosure without cutting off views, are filled with Wright's characteristic decorative glass. The Robie House family occupied the house for only a short time; financial troubled forced them to sell the house to an advertising agency. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Foundation, which is restoring the house as a museum, now operates the Robie House. This notable building in the Hyde Park neighborhood is well worth a visit· |
Take this month's tour of other Chicago architectural treasures or find out about the Skyline:Chicago series of videos and books from Perspectives. The perfect guides to the historic architectural landmarks of Chicago for the tourist or architecture buff.
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