July 21, 2017

#139 Frank Lloyd Wright Tour: Wright Around Oak Park

FLW was doing design projects on the sly while working for Adler and Sullivan, putting together his own portfolio and building his client list and reputation.

Robert P. Parker House

1019 Chicago
This doesn't have the overall "Wright" signature style, probably because it was one of those DL projects he did. But still, it has the art glass windows and the walled-in porch.
20170511_133723_34708739665_o

Thomas H. Gale House

1027 Chicago
Just a couple of houses down from the Parker House, this was another DL project.  But he still gave it a highpitched roof and art glass. 
20170511_134043_34324553390_o

Walter H. Gale House

1031 Chicago
IIRC the Gale's were a pair of brothers who lived next door to each other, and FLW did both their houses.  This house has more art glass, a proper turret, and a whimsically narrow gable/dormer window that echoes the chimney.  The front door?  All the way on the other side, behind a walled porch.

20170511_134048_33866666044_o


20170511_134113


Moore-Dugal Residence (aka Nathan G. Moore House)

333 Forest
Is this a home in Chicago?  Is this a ski chalet?  Definitely unique among his portfolio of work.  Also, this is not the front of the house.
20170511_135149

20170511_135155


This side faces the street, but also not the front.

34169425273_ea914a4da7_o

This is the front of the house!  The whole thing is turned sideways. 20170511_135847




20170511_135921_001


34816574852_df1b4e292b_o


Hills-Decario House (aka Edward R. Hills House)

313 Forest 
FLW didn't design this house ground up, he did a redesign and was somewhat bound by the original architecture.  However he did add his signature roof pitch, front porch, and row of horizontal windows.
20170511_140113

20170511_140222


20170511_140305


Arthur B. Huertley House

318 Forest
Planters: check
Hidden door: check
Walled porch: check
Art Glass windows: check
Yep, this is FLW.
20170511_140426

20170511_140505


Sprucing up the place for FLW150:

20170511_140512

Frank Thomas House

210 Forest
The Thomas house is considered the first true Prairie School house.

“First thing in building the new house, get rid of the attic, therefore the dormer ... Get rid of the useless false heights below it. Next, get rid of the unwholesome basement, yes absolutely-in any house built on the prairie. Instead of lean, brick chimneys bristling up everywhere to hint at judgement, I could see necessity for one chimney only."  
-FLW in An Autobiography
34847642161_88ce006fee_o

Guess where the front door isn't. 

34980231365_34753b2db2_o

20170511_141422


20170511_141427


Cort will have to fill you in on the rest of the tour.  I've been having major back problems for the last year or so, and can't walk very far anymore, even with a cane.  So, after this house I decided I better go back or we might need to call an ambulance.  But the part I saw was so interesting.  I hope I get a chance to go back and see the rest of this neighborhood and Robie House.