AFTER PAUL TURNED US ON TO TALIESEN WEST, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home/workshop in Phoenix, we were hooked. Knowing we would be heading east, Connie bought the Frank Lloyd Wright pass that would gain us admission to Wright designed buildings nationwide (don’t think Tokyo is included.) We booked a free tour of the FLW designed SC Johnson Co. plant in Racine WI, the company that makes Johnson’s Wax, Raid, Pledge, etc. Surprisingly, Wright wasn’t licensed to practice in Wisconsin, a minor inconvenience for him.
SC Johnson, A Family Co. FLW designed desk
Besides being an innovative architect, Wright was a control freak. He also designed furniture for many of his buildings, collectible to be sure but not very comfortable. And to be certain the rooms would look as he designed them, many pieces were built in. Working at SC Johnson might be historically exciting, but his workstations leave much to be desired.
Art-glass from FLW home Art-glass from FLW home
FLW’s first studio and most of his early commissions are in Oak Park, IL. After a tour of his home and studio we wandered through the neighborhood of multi-million dollar homes, picking out those designed by the man himself. His famous “Prairie-style Homes” evoke the flatness of the Midwest but many in Oak Park look more Victorian. No matter the style, art-glass windows are a major component.
Different designs, Same architect, Oak Park, IL
In town proper, across the street from the Gothic Presbyterian church is the FLW designed Unitarian Universalist Trinity Church. Totally no-frills and designed for contemplation if not prayer.
U U Trinity Church Let us pray, Trinity Church
You can visit several of FLW designed homes but the only one you can stay in, to the best of my knowledge, is the Emil Bach house on Chicago’s south side. Bach contracted for the house to be built on the Lake but millions of tons of rubble from the fire have added several hundred yards to the shore. Tours are conducted on certain weekdays — weekends are reserved for rentals. You can get the 3-bedroom place for only $1200 a night with a two night minimum. So gather up your wealthy friends for a Chi-Town interlude.
Bach House Only $1200 a night
One of Wright’s most famous Chicago homes is the Robie House. Smack in the middle of the University of Chicago, this true Prairie-style home stands out like a whore in church. But Robie’s wife was an alum and loved the university ambiance. They were thinking of the future — Robie had Wright design a 3-car garage, complete with grease pit and gas pump, at a time when Robie owned two of the few cars in Chicago.
The Robie House, Chicago
Today, the Robie House is owned by the University’s seminary. Tours continue while the house is undergoing restoration. While designs can withstand the passage of time, actual buildings need TLC.
The Tour Goes On Following FLW's Plans
POST SCRIPT: We are in western Pennsylvania, not far from Falling Water, one of FLW's most famous creations. After seeing several dozen Wright designed houses, we decided to give it a pass. Even with our FLW Pass the mandatory guided tour would have set us back 30 bucks. We've heard the spiel enough times and, while we admire Wright's genius we decided we really wouldn't want to live in one of his Prairie-style homes.
