Have you ever wondered how the American-style architecture looks like? For many years, you may be exploring famous European styles such as Roman, Gothic or Neo-classic styles! One of its unique kind of American-born styles is the Prairie style.

Let us delve into its origins, characteristics and features, and prominent examples.

What is Prairie Style Architecture?

Prairie-style architecture, also known as Prairie school architecture, is a building style that gives emphasis and integration of architectural philosophy with nature. The style is characterized by its emphasis on horizontal lines, integration with the natural environment, and a harmonious blend of art and functionality.

The concept runs on “form follows function”. It is basically compatible with its surroundings and climate.

Origins/Influence/Inspiration of Prairie Style

Emerged in the late 19th century, the Prairie style is known as the first American Architectural style. It was born out to inject mid-western character into the design of the homes.

Architects, along with other prominent personalities, thought to break away from the classical architectural styles of Europe. They have taken inspiration from the Prairie landforms of America. These are vast treeless, flat (with minor undulations), and fertile lands covered with grass. They derive the design and color palette from the prairie’s grasslands.

Using horizontal lines within the prairie settings creates a strong connection with the earth.

Styles that Inspired the Prairie Architecture

• The Arts and Crafts Style Architecture
• Japanese architecture

Architects of Prairie Style

We consider Frank Lloyd Wright the father of Organic Architecture and the leader of Prairie School.

• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Henry Louis Sullivan
• Walter Burley Griffin

Characteristics and Features of Prairie School Style Architecture:

The Prairie-style buildings are characterized by horizontal lines, Low-pitched roofs, heavy posts, broad chimneys, multi-pane windows, and geometrical details.

• Influence of classical styles of Architecture
• Influence from America’s vast tree-less Prairie land
• Inspiration from nature and its surroundings
• Solids and Voids
• Horizontal lines
• Colors derived from prairie grasslands.
• Open Asymmetrical buildings

Unique Architectural Elements

• Integration with the surrounding landscape
• Brick or stucco exteriors
• Low-pitched roofs/ Flat cantilever roofs with deep overhangs
• Windows grouped in horizontal bands/ Rows of casement windows
• Flat chimneys
• Materials – The materials were not painted to emphasize the natural texture of the material. (Ex. woodwork without any paint, or stained glass)

Best Examples of Prairie Style Homes

1. Robie House (Prairie School)

• Building: Robie House
  • It became the cornerstone of American Architectural houses and continues to be the guiding design principle for Prairie style Architecture.
• Function/Use: Previously as a home, Now as a National Historic Landmark
• Location: 5757 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
• Date of construction: 1909
• Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Key Features: Horizontal Emphasis, Natural and organic texture
• Materials Used: Romanbrick, terracotta, glass, Bedford limestone
• Universal Value: UNESCO World Heritage Site, U.S. National Historic Landmark’

Structure and Façade:

Robie House is the finest example of Prairie-style architecture as a part of Modern architecture. Asymmetrical, where architectural features such as lengthy cantilevered pitched roofs and rows of windows all create horizontal emphasis over vertical. These powerful horizontal lines accentuate every level of design, from the roofline to the bricks and mortar for the building.

The exterior comprises intricately intertwined rectangular masses. Bands of brick and mortar secure the building to the ground while an overhang roof shelters the building with its residents. To connect the exterior and interior seemingly; and to provide privacy, a dramatic twenty-foot cantilevered roof provides shades to the ribbon glass window below. The colors of brick, limestone, and plaster; all hues remind the colors of the prairie land.

2. Ward Winfield Willits House

• Building: Ward Winfield Willits House
  • It is considered the first house in Prairie-style American houses.
• Function/Use: Previously as a home, Now as a National Historic Landmark
• Location: Highland Park, Illinois, United States
• Date of construction: 1900-02
• Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Key Features: Horizontal Emphasis, Natural and organic texture
• Materials Used: Redwood, cypress, white stucco
• Universal Value: U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Structure and Façade:

One of the finest examples of Wright’s ability to seamlessly integrate architecture with nature is the design of Ward Willits House. It is also an inspiration from Japanese architecture.

With a stucco system of construction and wood frame, the exterior is a complex structure with rectangular masses projecting on all four sides. Low roofs extend beyond the perimeter of the building, while other elements run parallel to the ground. The dark stained wooden members create contrast with the white stucco of the walls.

Natural materials such as redwood, cypress; horizontal lines that give a sense of balance; natural textures, and a combination of interconnected architectural elements all together, create a balanced harmony with its natural surroundings.

3. Frederick Carter House

• Building: Fredrick Carter House
• Function/Use: House
• Location: Evanston, Illinois, United States
• Date of construction: 1903
• Architect: Walter Burley Griffin
• Key Features: Horizontal Emphasis, Natural and organic texture
• Materials Used: 
• Universal Value: National Register of Historic houses

Structure and Façade:

The Frederick Carter House, one of Walter Burley Griffin’s earliest works in which he attempted to follow his mentor Frank Lloyd Wright, was expertly redesigned by him. The architect made an effort to establish a design standard that was a step beyond that of his master by using features like large gables and a cross-shaped design.

The distinct character of the house lies in rectangular projections and recedings which include overhang eaves and a large gable roof. In addition over the gable, the overhang eaves are also on the flat section of the roof to its side. Brick, stucco, wooden half-timbering, and trims adorn the exterior of the house.

4. William H Emery House

• Building: William H Henry House
• Function/Use: Residence
• Location: Elmhurst, Illinois, United States
• Date of construction: 1910
• Architect: Walter Burley Griffin
• Key Features: Horizontal Emphasis, Natural and organic texture
• Materials Used: Red Brick, Stone-colored Stucco, wood trim, concrete
• Universal Value: National Register of historic places

Structure and Façade:

William H Henry’s house is considered the first independent design of Architect Walter Burley Griffin. He has combined several materials such as red brick,stone-colored stucco, wood trim, and concrete. While brick and stained boards adorn the exterior, the interiors are embellished with low ceiling foyers, circular fireplaces, leaded glass bookshelves, and wall scones.

The house has a little high-pitched roof unlike the low-pitched roof, which is one of the important features of Prairie-style architecture. With the exception of the porte cochere extending to the west and the two-story wing on the east, it is rectangular.

5. Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park

• Building: Frank Lloyd Wright Home
• Function/Use: Residence
• Location: Oak Park, Illinois, United States
• Date of construction: 1889
• Architect: Frank Llyod Wright
• Key Features: Horizontal Emphasis, Natural and organic texture
• Materials Used: Red Brick, Stone-colored Stucco, wood trim, concrete
• Universal Value: National Register of historic places, U.S.National Historic Landmark

Structure and Façade:

This house is considered the foremost house where Lloyd had opportunities to experiment with his design. Accordingly, the design connects with the land (earth), pure geometric forms, use of natural materials, and open interiors, all create a harmonious environment. Indeed, this house reflects his philosophy and architectural principles in his design.

Later in 1898, he extended his house by the addition of four rooms so that it served as a studio. Now this serves as a historic site and museum.

6. The Darwin Martin House

• Building: The Darwin Martin House
• Function/Use: Previously as a residence, now as a historic house museum
• Location: 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo, New York
• Date of construction: 1903-1905
• Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Key Features: Large size and open plan, horizontal planes, cantilever construction,
• Materials Used: Brick, wood, stucco
• Universal Value: National Register of historic places, U.S.National Historic Landmark

Structure and Façade

American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House is considered a significant example of the revolutionary power of architecture. Its horizontal lines, open floor plans, pier and cantilever construction, and selection of organic hues and materials distinguish the Martin House.

The property consists of the primary residence, a second home, a gardener’s cottage, and a number of related buildings woven into a seamless landscape.

Martin House is a representation of civic pride and cultural identity. Within the network of historic sites in New York State, it is a National Historic Landmark and a top heritage attraction.

7. Dana–Thomas House

• Building: Dana Thomas house
• Function/Use: Previously as a residence, now as a historic site
• Location: Springfield, Illinois
• Date of construction: 1902
• Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Key Features: Horizontal emphasis, wide overhanging eaves
• Materials Used: Brick, plaster, concrete
• Universal Value: National Register of historic places, U.S.National Historic Landmark, Illinois state historic site

Structure and Façade

Mr. Wright called it -“A home designed for… entertaining extensively, somewhat elaborately worked out in detail.”

Similar to the other Prairie-style buildings, Thomas’s house exterior emphasizes horizontality with its distinctive brick and raked mortar joints arranged in layers, wide overhanging eaves, and art glass windows.

As a display and entertainment, the house displays the quintessential character of the Prairie style, which showcases – exterior porches, an arch doorway expanding into other spaces, art glass windows that connect interiors and exteriors, and together with Interiors, a display of customized furniture, murals, and Japanese prints, and drawings.

8. The Meyer May House

• Building: The Meyer May House
• Function/Use: Previously as a house, now as a museum
• Location: 450 Madison Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Date of construction: 1908-09
• Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Key Features: Hip roofs, art glass windows, long broad eaves, and skylights
• Materials Used: brick, art glass,
• Universal Value: National Register of historic places, U.S.National Historic Landmark, Illinois state historic site

Structure and Façade

The Meyer May house is considered one of the fine examples of Michigan’s Prairie masterpiece. With its T-shaped plan, the two-storied building features a pale brick facade, lean masonry masses, a hipped roof, long broad eaves, art glass windows, skylights, etc.

The house is deliberately designed to provide the living room’s skylights and windows with the most southern exposure possible, and also to make area for the perennial gardens in a large yard. Wherever possible, colored glass doors and windows open out to terraces and gardens to connect interiors with nature outside.

Built-in cabinetry, geometrically patterned screens, art glass windows, ceiling panels, and carefully designed lanterns, murals and paintings beautifully adorn the interiors of the Mayer May house.

9. Harold C. Bradley House

• Building: Harold C. Bradley House
• Function/Use: Residence
• Location: 106 N. Prospect Ave., Madison, Wisconsin
• Date of construction: 1909
• Architect: Louis Henry Sullivan, George Grant Elmslie
• Key Features: Cantilevered sections, sleeping porches
• Materials Used: Brick, wood, art glass
• Universal Value: U.S. National Register of historic places, U.S. National Historic Landmark

Structure and Façade

With a T-shaped building footprint, the house comprises two stories with distinct cantilevered sections holding sleeping porches. The huge cantilevers, which support a balcony and take up the most of the exterior composition, are supported by steel beams encased in wood. The house’s facade is structured around massive piers with brick faces that rise from the foundation to the cornice.

10. Emil Bach House

• Building: Emil Bach House
• Function/Use: Previously as a private residence, now as a vacation rental
• Location: Sheridan Rd, Chicago, Illinois
• Date of construction: 1915
• Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Key Features: overhanging flat roofs, cubic masses
• Materials Used: locally available materials – brick, stone, glass
• Universal Value: U.S. National Register of historic places, Chicago Landmark

Structure and Façade

The Emil Bach house is one of the fine examples of Frank Lloyd Write’s late Prairie style architecture. It was created in the early 20th century and is one of a set of geometric, cubic homes with overhanging flat roofs. Out of all the similar cubic homes, this is the only one standing.

Conclusion

Prairie-style architecture remains an important and influential chapter in the history of American design. Its emphasis on harmony, simplicity, and integration with the natural environment resonates with people to this day. By capturing the essence of the Midwest’s prairies and bringing it into architectural form, Prairie Style buildings serve as enduring reminders of the beauty and tranquility that can be found in the simplicity of design and the connection to the world around us.

Published by The Arch Space

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