The Prairie School
Today brings us two examples of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed houses that were born out of the Prairie School of Architecture. The Prairie School bridged the gap from Wright's earlier work to his highly popular style from the turn of the last century. Both the Frank W. Thomas house and the Arthur B. Heurtley house, shown below, were constructed around the same time and in Oak Park, Illinois where the Prairie School Historic District stands.
The Thomas house is regarded as the first example of Prairie-style architecture. This style is characterized on the exterior by low, overhanging eaves, elevated living spaces, and horizontal groups of windows, balconies and terraces. Inside, an open floor plan with a large chimney in the center of it all and ceilings that mimic the flatter roof shape are common.
Frank W. Thomas House (1901); Oak Park, Illinois; Image courtesy Flickr and Teemu008
Views from the street and closer up of the front door.
Frank W. Thomas House entrance way; Image courtesy Flickr and Edsel L
Arthur B. Heurtley House (1902); Oak Park, Illinois; exterior front view; Image courtesy Flickr and Teemu008
View from the side and back yard; Image courtesy Flickr and Edsel L
Exterior rear view; Image courtesy Flickr and nguy1
At first glance, the Heurtley house might appear to be constructed out of wood, which explains the grain of the exterior facade. Wright actually used alternating bands of brick to soften the look of an all brick home.
Frank Lloyd Wright was a prolific architect of the Prairie School, so needless to say more examples of this style will follow in the coming weeks.