Frederick C. Robie House / Frank Lloyd Wright | Classics On Architecture Lab

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright
Area: 840 m2
Year: 1910
Photographs: Frank Lloyd Wright, flwright.org, Columbia University, Thomas A. Heinz / CORBIS, Creative Commons, Andrew Bruah, David Arpi, Frank Trust, Frederick Tim Long, Tim Long, Gerald Humphrey, Hassan Bagheri, Archeyes.com, Phil Beard, James Caulfield, Timothy Brown, Mitchell Rocheleau, University of Chicago, Tom Rossiter, James Caulfield
City: Chicago
Country: United States

The Frederick C. Robie House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1910, is located on the University of Chicago campus. Its horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, and natural materials reflect the Midwestern plains, emphasized through cantilevered eaves and brickwork. Wright’s design interlocks interior and exterior spaces through terraces, balconies, and seasonal planters, while geometric, floral leaded glass patterns blend nature and architecture. The house’s three levels include entertainment spaces, an expansive open-plan living area, and private bedrooms, with innovative features such as a hidden entrance and modern conveniences like a garage. Dramatic cantilevers balance privacy with unobstructed views, and Wright designed custom furniture for the interiors, though some pieces are now lost. While Wright traveled to Europe during construction, the Robie House marks the end of his Prairie house period before shifting to other styles. The house narrowly escaped demolition twice, and after restoration by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, it was recognized as a significant 20th-century structure. Today, visitors can tour the house to explore its architectural significance, design, and the story of its restoration.

Frederick c. Robie house / frank lloyd wright | classics on architecture lab

During the decades of eclecticism’s triumph there were also many innovators—less heralded than the fashionable practitioners, but exerting more lasting influence. Of these innovators, none could rival Frank Lloyd Wright. By any standard his Robie house was the House of the 1900s—indeed the House of the Century.

– House and Home magazine, 1957

The Frederick C. Robie House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1910, is a landmark of modernist architecture and a quintessential example of the Prairie School style. Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, on the University of Chicago campus, it was commissioned by Frederick C. Robie, an industrialist involved in car manufacturing and technology. Recognized as one of Wright’s most significant works, the Robie House is considered the ultimate expression of his Prairie style. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.

Wright’s Prairie style drew from the expansive Midwestern plains, reflected in the building’s horizontal lines, low-pitched roofs, and natural materials such as brick and wood. Horizontal emphasis is seen in the long, cantilevered eaves and bands of brick and limestone that visually anchor the structure to the earth. Wright’s use of Roman brick with light-colored horizontal mortar joints enhances this horizontal flow.

Innovative in its configuration, the design features dynamic, sliding planes that interlock and blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. Broad balconies, terraces, and site-wall planters that bloom seasonally all serve to integrate the house with its surrounding environment. The use of iron-flecked brick and iridescent leaded glass windows softens the space with patterned light, reinforcing Wright’s blending of nature and architecture. The geometric, floral-inspired patterns in the glass echo the natural forms surrounding the home.

The house is organized across three levels. The first floor, dedicated to entertainment, includes a billiards room and children’s playroom, centered around a fireplace core. The rooms connect to a garden courtyard enclosed by a low brick wall. The main entrance, located on Woodlawn Avenue, is intentionally hidden for privacy, with a low-ceilinged vestibule designed to create a sense of compression before leading up to the expansive second floor.

The second floor is the heart of the home, featuring an open-plan living and dining area, also organized around a central fireplace. This arrangement, divided only by the chimney, is celebrated for its simplicity and connection to nature. Doors and leaded glass windows flood the space with natural light, and French doors open onto a balcony, further extending the relationship between indoors and outdoors.

The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished.

– Frank Lloyd Wright

The third floor contains private bedrooms, including a master suite with an en suite bathroom—a notable luxury for the time. Wright’s elimination of the traditional attic and basement aligns with his philosophy of efficient space use and organic architecture.

A key concern for Robie was maintaining views of the neighborhood while ensuring privacy. Wright addressed this through dramatic cantilevers, including one that extends 10 feet from the nearest support and 21 feet from the nearest masonry pier. These cantilevers not only provide shelter but also maintain unobstructed views from the interior. The discreet entrance design enhances the sense of privacy. Wright incorporated cutting-edge conveniences, such as an attached garage, a rare feature in 1910. Though initially controversial due to concerns about gasoline combustion, today the garage serves as the visitor entrance and houses a bookstore.

Wright extended his vision into the house’s interiors, custom-designing furniture to match the architectural aesthetic. Collaborating with George Mann Niedecken, Wright created pieces that reflected the house’s forms. Original furniture included elements such as a cantilevered sofa, though some of these items have been lost over time. The living and dining areas feature soffit lighting with colored glass diffusers, creating a warm and cohesive atmosphere.

While construction was underway in 1909, Wright left for Europe to work on the Wasmuth Portfolio, a publication that introduced his work to European audiences and profoundly influenced international modernism. The Robie House is regarded as the last of Wright’s true Prairie houses, marking the end of his focus on Midwestern influences before he explored new styles.

The house changed hands shortly after its completion, passing through several owners. It was twice threatened with demolition, in 1941 and again in 1957, and both times Wright personally intervened to save the building, a unique case in his career. Today, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust has completed a meticulous restoration of the Robie House, returning it to its 1910 appearance. In 1991, the American Institute of Architects named it one of the ten most significant structures of the 20th century.

The Robie House is open for tours from Thursday to Monday, with various options available. Visitors can take a guided interior tour lasting 45 minutes or opt for the combined Inside and Out tour, which includes a 45-minute outdoor audio tour along 58th Street. An in-depth 90-minute tour explores both public and private areas of the house, offering detailed insights into its history, design, furnishings, and restoration. General admission prices for tours range from $20 to $75, depending on the experience. Children under 8 are not permitted on interior tours. Guests are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before their tour, with late arrivals joining in progress. Audio tours are available in eight languages, and all guests, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

The Robie House stands today as a testament to Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence on modern architecture and his innovative approach to blending architecture with nature. Visitors can explore this architectural masterpiece and its enduring legacy as a symbol of American modernism.