Robie House

Primary Creator

Architect: Wright, Frank Lloyd

Contributor(s)

Properties

Area	3000
Era	1900 - 1950
Height	270
Length	750
Style	Organic
Volume	28000
Width	250

Name of Work

Robie House

Production Date

1910

Production Location

Current Location

Media Types

brick, leaded glass, Stone

General Notes

Dimensions are my rough approximations.

Description

A radical rakingly-horizontal design on a tight city lot that focuses your attention. The structure is given immense three-dimensionality by means of the massive shallow roofs that overhang in all directions, along with the deeply set window ribbons. Long bricks, and emphasized horizontal joints all add to the radical horizon. The colors are simple and rich -- with the strong red brick, the offsetting neutral stone horizontal pieces and the rich playfulness of the window details. You experience the interior spaces as being expansive, because the ribbon horizontal windows provide continuous vistas in almost all directions. The materials of the interior are sumptuous wood and plaster and playful window designs

Theme

The essence of a house as shelter, and providing a sense of strength and privacy. That is, a structure that exudes strength through its massive cantilever and massive brick and stone forms, along with its big overhangs sheltering the windows to create a sense of privacy and enclosure, in its urban situation.