SC Johnson And Son Administration Building / Frank Lloyd Wright

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright
Year: 1939
Photography: Ezra Stoller, SC Johnson, Mark Hertsberg, Daniel Terdiman, Carol M. Highsmith, G.E. Kidder Smith
City: Racine
Country: United States

The SC Johnson and Son Administration Building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Racine, showcases his innovative dendriform columns, key to the structure’s Great Workroom. These Columns, resembling lily pads, span 21 feet and hold the roof, allowing the walls to feature glass tubing that brings in natural light. Despite skepticism from the Wisconsin Industrial Commission, Wright proved the columns’ strength by loading them with 60 tons of sandbags, ensuring the building’s approval. Completed in 1939, this iconic structure emphasizes organic forms and function, marking it as a significant contribution to modern office architecture.

SC Johnson and Son Administration Building / Frank Lloyd Wright | Classics on Architecture Lab

This SC Johnson and Son Administration Building is one of the Wright’s most remarkable contributions to office building design. Commissioned by H.F. Johnson Jr. in 1936, the structure officially opened in April 1939 and remains a pivotal example of Wright’s vision. Known for its organic forms, the building’s most striking feature is its innovative dendriform (tree-shaped) columns, which have become an iconic representation of Wright’s mastery in merging natural forms with architectural function.

Often referred to as the Johnson Wax Building, the administration headquarters boasts nearly 60 dendriform columns, each rising 21 feet from a base only 9 inches in diameter. The columns culminate in wide circular concrete “lily pads,” forming a vast Great Workroom that covers almost half an acre. This room, part of Wright’s broader plan for open, airy workspaces, benefits from walls made of Pyrex glass tubing that allow soft, natural light to filter in, enhancing the space’s serene atmosphere.

Despite the elegance of the design, the Wisconsin Industrial Commission initially doubted whether the slender columns could support the building’s roof. To demonstrate their structural integrity, Wright arranged for workers to pile 60 tons of sandbags onto a test column—far exceeding the 12 tons the columns were designed to bear. The successful test quickly led to the commission’s approval, and the building went on to achieve architectural acclaim.

The Great Workroom itself is celebrated for its lack of internal structural supports along the perimeter, made possible by Wright’s use of glass tubing, which not only maximizes natural light but also provides privacy. This innovative approach creates a work environment conducive to creativity, with minimal glare and ample daylight, all while maintaining the building’s distinctive aesthetic.

Wright’s collaboration with SC Johnson didn’t stop with the administration building. In 1950, the company commissioned him again to design their research and development building, connected to the main office by a notable walkway. This later structure mirrored the design principles established in the original commission, featuring glass tubes along its facade to allow natural light to flood its interior. However, decades of exposure have required extensive restoration of the brickwork and glass tubing, a project that is still ongoing. Curved glass tubes, original to the corners of the building, are being carefully cleaned and preserved, while straight tubes are being replaced.

The SC Johnson building exemplifies Wright’s dedication to creating harmonious, organic forms in his architecture. The building’s exterior walls, made of red brick, red Kasota sandstone, and reinforced concrete, reinforce the organic nature of the space. Wright even designed custom furniture for the building, including desks, chairs, and more than 200 unique brick shapes used in the construction. One of the most famous designs is the three-legged chair he created for employees, although the design was later altered to four legs due to stability concerns.

Inside the Great Workroom, two birdcage-like elevators carry employees from the basement to the penthouse level. A spiral staircase connects the workroom to the building’s lower-level restrooms. Throughout the building, Wright’s characteristic rounded shapes and clean lines are prominent, from the curved corners of furniture to the circular aesthetic applied to every aspect of the design.

Wright’s vision for the SC Johnson administration building was not only functional but inspiring. He sought to create a space that fostered creativity and productivity, one that would be as uplifting to work in as a cathedral is to worship in. His innovative use of materials and organic shapes has left a lasting mark on architectural history, making the SC Johnson building a celebrated landmark and a testament to the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright.