I made a model from a kit of this house. I am proud of the good job I did on it that shows very well the beauty of this revolutionary work created by an architectural genius.

Still ahead of their time a hundred years later. Walking Oak Park is disorienting, in that his houses are clearly old, but still look futuristic at the same time. The masterpieces of a true genius.

Thanks again for showcasing Wright's work. I was inspired as a child by photographs of Wright's buildings and that was one of the reasons I became an Architect. Most American's don't appreciate the importance of saving and maintaining these buildings. Wright had a profound effect on Architects and Architecture all over the world. He produced buildings that for centuries will be studied in Architecture schools everywhere with the same reverence as Greek temples and Gothic cathedrals. His work is absolutely timeless.

It is inconceivable to me that this famous house came so close to demolish and was so mistreated. I have known of this house since I was a child inspired by Wright. So glad it has been restored and can now he toured.

@jamesslick4790

Жыл бұрын

It's amazing that it was spared at all. It was not yet "historic" when it was being threatened. When the original plans to raze it occurred, it was 31 years old. No one would BLINK about a 1992 building being demolished today. (Hell, they knocked down an 1860's house three blocks from me FOUR YEARS AGO!). It's frankly amazing that some foresighted people saw value in its significance even in the 1950s. (When it was the equivalent of a 1970s building now...). While Wright's buildings aren't my "thing", We are fortunate that some visionaries saw it's worth in history.

@edramirez1240

Жыл бұрын

A number of years ago, I made a trip to Chicago and one of the things I had to visit was the Robie House. Although, the house was closed on the day I visited, I walked around and could not believe the incredible beauty and style of the place.

@rickrose5377

Жыл бұрын

@@edramirez1240 I was in Robie House a number of times in the late 70's and early 80's and had friends who worked inside when it was being used by the University of Chicago alumni fund as an office from which to solicit contributions. I've walked by hundreds of times since, as I used to be in Hyde Park regularly. I like the aesthetic and idea of the house IN PRINCIPLE, and certainly it's beautiful from the outside. Certainly, at the time of its construction, it must've seemed fresh and revolutionary. But I found it low, cramped, dark and oppressive when I've been inside, and my friends who worked there found it mostly an unpleasant experience. And at least at that time, the mechanical systems of the house were a nightmare, as it leaked and stained surfaces everywhere, and required constant, labor-intensive upkeep. Finally restored and maintained (at great expense) as a museum piece, I'm sure it appears in its best light -- all custom built-ins and sleek lines. But I'm not sure it was ever a pleasant place to live, even when it was brand new.

@edramirez1240

Жыл бұрын

@@rickrose5377 I was only able to enter the gift shop, and not rest of the house which was closed.

@micnolmadtube

Жыл бұрын

It is sad that the frank loyed write foundation was not able to save all his houses. A lot has already been demolished. Every time one is lost, is a sad day.

I took a private tour of the Robie House in February 2021. There were 2 architect's with me. By profession, I'm a Microbiologist. We all cried inside.

@mikesedam616

Жыл бұрын

Cried!? Get a grip,!

@Tatokala

Жыл бұрын

Because of the many species of mold in there?

@sully627

Жыл бұрын

You guys are gay

@chucklambooy8457

10 ай бұрын

@@mikesedam616wherever you are from Mike, you obviously have no appreciation for architecture. A structure of this magnitude and splendor is something that is incomprehensible to your Mac hamburger and fries mentality. No need to respond to my statements…I seriously doubt if you will understand anyway.

@aWomanFreed

10 ай бұрын

Losers

In January of 2000, I moved back to Illinois and got a job with a pest control company. One of our clients was The Robie House. It wasn't on my normal route but the guy who did have the house was on vacation once and when I filled in for him I was able to do the service there. I basically got a private tour of the house while I did the service. Ever since then, I have been fascinated with Frank Lloyd Wright Homes. They told me how they "discovered" items that were covered up essentially with false walls by the seminary and at that time the next big thing they were needing funding for was having the roof fixed.

bless that janitor for saving the furniture and the people who protested and prevented its demolition

I grew up about 2 blocks away at 58th street and Blackstone Avenue. This beautiful house has always been a part of my life.

So beautiful and unique. What is wrong with people who want to always destroy these precious works of art and history. Makes my blood boil. Thank goodness Frank was still alive to help save his work.

@ericsimonson8540

Жыл бұрын

And the janitor that saved the furniture

@atomicwedgie8176

5 ай бұрын

Like all Wright designs... he was an architect, not an engineer. They convey his art, but are poor in function. Going for a tour is different, than living in one.

@atomicwedgie8176

5 ай бұрын

@@ericsimonson8540 It was saved well before it went in the trash... you know, embellishment of the story. He asked if he could have it and was told, sure. Who would want scratched, broken furniture after having been thrown in the trash? smh

@KeePenne

29 күн бұрын

​​@@atomicwedgie8176 some of his works were considered engineering marvels, so he did think like an engineer. Read up on his Imperial Hotel design which not only survived an earthquake, but provided for water to put out a fire caused by the quake....something he stated would occur prior to the construction of the hotel. The man knew what he was doing. Falling water is another engineering feat and the cantilevered features were in his original sketch. Give the man his dues.

I saw the Robin house in the summer of 1964, not long after it had been saved. The tours had just begun and the rescued furniture had not yet been reinstalled. I recall the tour guide mentioning that some visitors to the house snapped off pieces of the intricate woodwork around the globe light fixtures for souvenirs to take with them. The plaster in some of the "service" rooms had been painted a hideous shade of blue by the seminary. The wood paneling and trim were scared and faded. It was clear the seminary only regarded the house as real estate, and could not have cared less about it's value as architecture.

@sandraleigh4023

Жыл бұрын

I can't imagine what they were thinking to toss furniture into the garbage!! How wonderful that some people recognized the historical importance and restored it.

@user-qt4qp6bj1q

9 ай бұрын

@@sandraleigh4023 As Wright noted, "The first 25 years are the hardest." Because it becomes unfashionable and symbolic of a bygone era.

Just wanted to add, thank God for the Janitor...apparently the only person in the entire seminary with any intelligence..

@777jones

Жыл бұрын

This is very common at universities, hospitals, etc. The janitors are the only people with any sense in their brains.

@JamesM-rf6fv

Жыл бұрын

FLW's quote about the Seminarians is so on target-"It goes to show the danger of trusting anything spiritual to the clergy." There should be a statue of the janitor placed somewhere prominently in the Robie House. This incident gives me just another reason to avoid church! lol

I took my high school students here on a field trip many years ago. They learned more in one hour about Frank Lloyd Wright than I could teach them in one semester. An incredible experience that I will never forget. I also learned this house was the first one to have an attached garage with a service pit in the floor.

I've been there. It is quite a beautiful house, designed to be so modern that it was almost too far ahead of its time. I think the Robies were amenable to that, but unfortunately only owned the house for a few years. Imagine having a 3 car garage in 1910. The house had so many windows and so little wall that it was very cold in the winter. I could tell that Wright anticipated this problem, because there are radiators everywhere. I think what he couldn't anticipate was the inadequacy of the heating plant. Also the dining room table was permanently attached to the floor, and had secret buttons at either head of the table - light switches for the room's lights for Mr. Robie, and servant call buttons for Mrs. Robie, IIRC.

Lived just down the street when I worked at Billings Hospital in 1972/3. Walked by it every day and noticed something new each time

The Robie House is stunning & in vogue today!!! Thanks Ken for showcasing this beautiful home!!! 👍🙂👍

My boyfriend (now husband) and I had a chance to visit and boy oh boy was it fabulous! I had no idea they had to fight to keep it from being torn down. Thank goodness they won and Wright's work still stands today!

The views out of the living and dining areas are spectacular. An urban residence with a commanding overview of all street activivity. Very elegant,

I was in Robie House a number of times in the late 70's and early 80's and had friends who worked inside when it was being used by the University of Chicago alumni fund as an office from which to solicit contributions. I've walked by hundreds of times since, as I used to be in Hyde Park regularly. I like the aesthetic and idea of the house IN PRINCIPLE, and certainly it's beautiful from the outside. Certainly, at the time of its construction, it must've seemed fresh and revolutionary. But I found it low, cramped, dark and oppressive when I've been inside, and my friends who worked there found it mostly an unpleasant experience. And at least at that time, the mechanical systems of the house were a nightmare, as it leaked and stained surfaces everywhere, and required constant, labor-intensive upkeep. Finally restored and maintained (at great expense) as a museum piece, I'm sure it appears in its best light -- all custom built-ins and sleek lines. But I'm not sure it was ever a pleasant place to live, even when it was brand new.

I keep getting ads from travel agencies and websites, about this or that tropical paradise, but what would be really cool, is a well-planned regional, or even national (!) tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's, and other significant architectural works. I wonder if we could use the subjects of these videos as an initial guide

@pashakdescilly7517

Жыл бұрын

Yes, that would be splendid. Now I am going to have a look for other videos on Lloyd Wright's work by this channel.

@jbleach23

Жыл бұрын

Man this is something I was thinking about

1980 I was the FLW Tour in Oak Park and again in 2018. It is such a treat. The time is standing still here.

I absolutely love this style of home. So unique and elegant. The use of beams, light and other pieces of furniture makes this home amazing. Absolutely beautiful. The patio enclosed directly in the home is a very nice detail.

I was lucky enough to be an “Interpreter” (fancy name for tour guide) for the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, the caretakers of both the Robie House and the Home & Studio in nearby Oak Park, IL back from 2008-2012. As part of my training, we were allowed to tour the Robie house years before it opened to the public. Seeing it then, even before the restoration’ had been completed, was a rare treat. When you think that this amazing house was designed by someone who had very little formal architectural training, other than a short stint at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (where he never graduated), his genius becomes even more apparent.

If you haven't done the Darwin Martin House and Greycliff houses in Buffalo NY, you should. Both are beautifully restored.

Astounding anyone could think of living in a shoebox, aka Tiny House when FLW's designs are the most accommodating beautiful designs. I love all one level homes, no stairs. He has some wonderful homes which are incomparable!

A cool fact about these houses is the covered porch / patio. Wright didn't want any supports. He wanted it all unobstructed. So they ran long steel beams far back to support the roof. There's a house in New York he designed and they actually walled in the patio. But they after took it down because or defeated the architectural purpose / history.

@Porsche996driver

Жыл бұрын

#Cantilevered it looks brilliant still in 2023. Thanks

@pashakdescilly7517

Жыл бұрын

Falling Water is even more extreme - it uses cantilevered concrete slabs. The engineering design left a bit to be desired, it sagged a lot, and it took much work to restore

@doogiemcdougster6740

Жыл бұрын

We visited there probably about 15 years ago. That's my absolute favorite patio in the world. I love the feeling you get out on the patio where there are no obstructions to block your view but also the roof overhangs, giving you both the feeling of being inside and outside at the same time. Plus, the patio is about half a story higher than the property's ground elevation, so you get a feeling of peace and safety from pedestrians on the sidewalk out front, but you are still able to interact with them. I'd love to lounge out there on a day when a gentle rain would be falling. You'd be kept dry, but enjoying the outdoors at the same time. If I was a millionaire, this is the patio I would have.

Great house Ken. You continue to allow your fans to enjoy amazing homes. Have a blessed day.

The museum should give the dining room set back, so its in its rightful place!

Good lord, to think this perfection was doomed...thank God it was saved. Magnificent.

I toured this home in when I was in middle school. Blew my mind. I’ve loved his work

I visited the Robie House in 2013 or 2014 while visiting Chicago for work, it was such an impressive house with fundamental principles expresses everywhere. It is good to hear that the Trust has been able to restore it to its full glory! Highly recommended to visit!

I just can't believe this house was constructed way back in 1910. It surely was way ahead of its time. Truly a great design!

This was my 1st Frank Lloyd Wright=FLW home to visit back in 2004. It was like a drug and I became obsessed with his work. Ive been blessed being able to travel and getting to see FLW works of art several times in IL, PA and OK . FLW must visits are Falling Waters House in Mill Run PA and and Without a doubt my absolute favorite is Price Tower in Bartlesville OK. Additionally IMO, FLW is the widely unknown godfather of the tallest skyscraper standing today the Burg Khalifa that utilizes the taproot system FLW proposed for (The Illinois.) Ironically FLW hated skyscrapers yet proposed (The Illinois) in 1956. Sadly everyone thought it was a joke and FLW had gone mad. I could go on and on about FLW. He was truly a gifted individual that designed and built masterpieces.

I remember visiting this house on a tour when I was a kid attending Murray language academy in about 1992 or 1993 which was about 1mile from here , still a great memory!!I ride past it daily

Biggest blow away for us is the comparison of an early 1900 Victorian living space against a Robie House living space...so ahead of his time!

I toured it with an architecture class about eight years ago. It was a private tour before the public tours began. No photos were allowed inside. It was a highlight of the field trip for me as an older student. Because I have walked through that space, your video put me right back there.

It's always the small details that make the difference

I wish! The only one I've been able to tour is Hollyhock House, which is not only beautiful, the view of LA is breathtaking!

My father who was very interested in architecture, art, design etc, liked Frank Lloyd Wright's house designs, especially the Falling Water house in Pennsylvania. I found his houses on Pinterest and I was very interested, and I have been collecting as many photos as possible on my Pinterest account. He was a very good architect, but he was also very difficult to work with. But his houses, and buildings were designed to last many years, if not centuries.

I went to the business school across the street so got to see the Robie house every day! The Chicago business school building itself is a neat piece of architecture and they clearly were aiming to be in synch Wright’s long horizontal prairie style when they designed it

Again, FLW was so far ahead of his time! Genius!

Love that ceiling...

Here in western NY state, we’re blessed with several FLW houses. The fully renovated Darwin Martin house is stunning.

Toured back in 1981 - very remarkable house that was worth the many efforts to save and fully restore.

Wow, thank you Cam, this has been brilliant viewing, I hadn’t realised how much of contemporary living we owed to this home and design, and that it was built in 1905. Thankfully they won the battle with the church. Definitely on my bucket list

To me, this house is the first truly modern home in the World. It’s facade and interior spaces still look modern today. Only a supremely gifted and visionary man could have envisioned something so futuristic yet beautiful. I can only imagine how people of that time reacted to the finished product!

@Nicksonian

7 ай бұрын

What is sad is that the Robie house is nearly radical by today’s standards. I can’t believe that builders in the mid-Atlantic, a century later, are still putting up cheap, stick-built, COLONIAL McMansions.

I’ve been to The Robie House and 70 other FLW buildings. And it one of the best! Thanks for a great video!

Wonderful video, thanks for sharing

I've toured another Chicago Frank Lloyd Wright home that had a tree incorporated into the build. As a teenager the tour was very influential over me. I've always loved touring and learning more about his very unique style.

I toured the Robie House in 2003, in the early stage of it's restoration. The dining table was still within the dining room then. It's an amazing home that photos and videos don't due justice. If you are able to see it, you won't be disappointed.

Wright had a unique architectural vision; encompassing nature in imaginative ways. I would have loved to have been inside his creative mind when he was designing Falling Waters.

I used to live a couple blocks away from the houses he built in Grand Rapids Michigan. I toured them every chance I could

I love this house and I LOVE your channel…both fascinating AND exciting. Please just keep “another EXCITING episode of THIS HOUSE” in the closing as I love saying it at the end of every episode because by the time it is all over my fascination turns to excitement! Keep doing what you do! 😉👍🏻

It cheers me up to know there are so many people who dedicate their efforts to saving and preserving important treasures. We have many in the UK restoring castles, canals and all of history's remains.

Very informative. It's easy to forget why FLW's designed are so revered by mid century modern architects. Like the change from Victorian decoration to real craftsmanship in furnishings and design.

Am I the only one who thought his work was from the 50s and 60s? This guy is even more brilliant than I thought.

Definitely one of my favourite styles , there are so many features in this prairie style that Im enjoying, just like some of the craftsman style features before. FLW was a visionary .

have toured this house, falling water, and the dana Thomas house in Springfield, Ill. all magnificent! JDR

@tomstevens8948

Жыл бұрын

This house, to me, is the most like the Dana Thomas House of his designs.

I like the influence Wright had on home builders of mid century America.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed a "gas station" (still exists!) for the "Lindholm Oil" family! Check this CLASSIC in Cloquet, Minnesota! This design is AWESOME!

My wife and I had the opportunity to tour the house in November of 2016. There are some many more details and "firsts" included in this house. Thank you for sharing the video, and I encourage any who visit Chicago to take the time and visit this amazing piece of history.

I've toured the Robie House twice - once in the summer of 2012, and again in December of 2022. It is a masterpiece. I applaud the trust's continual work on what is one of the iconic American houses. I hope they are able to find and reacquisition the original furniture, or have reproductions made, as this is really the last piece of the restoration. Every architecture lover who visits Chicago should consider it a stop. One word for the superfans - if you have the option, take the "Enhanced" tour, as you spend quite a bit more time in the house and they show you a lot of things that the main tour doesn't see, especially the secondary spaces.

I love Frank Lloyd Wright's work. I have enjoy "Falling Water" in southern Pennsylvania many times. Thank you for sharing this video.

Years ago I toured the Robie House. Stunning! I like the interior furnishings even though the chairs are very uncomfortable.

Most descriptions of Frank Lloyd Wright's work talk vaguely about themes and ideas, but the photography does not show how the house works. Your description and inclusion of plan drawings make a MUCH more powerful video. Thank you.

FLW is my absolute favorite!!

I visited here in the mid 90’s. At the time it was only open to the public one day a week for about an hour. The university owned it and used it as an alumni office. The lady working that office wore a ski coat to work in the cold building. The only furniture was the dinning room set.

I grew up 3 blocks away from the Robie house. I left Hyde Park in 1980 but my brother still lives in our family home. When ever visiting I make it a point to take a walk and view in amazement at this amazing masterpiece An architect friend once borrowed my bike and nearly fell of it when he saw it.

This building, outside and inside, reminds me a lot of the clinic in the mission "Flatline" of the videogame Hitman Blood Money. It is clear that the the videogame authors were inspired by this building. The clinic of the videogame is quite a superb building and gardens around the building.

Thank God for the dumpster diving janitor! One man's junk.... ThanK you, Ken for another FLW episode!

I was a graduate student at UChicago for many years while the house was open. I walked past and admired the building many, many, many times. But I never went in. I eventually left Hyde Park for a job. This video makes me want to visit the Robie House. I guess the lesson is never to put off for tomorrow what you can do today.

Passed this house all the time as a kid

Being an architect I appreciate the openness and strong horizontal lines. Wright was great at what he did and just like most architects, worked till the last minute on design plans. He was a bit too compulsive, rearranging furniture when he made surprise visits to clients and found they had moved the pieces from his original placement. Thanks for the history of Prairie Style.

Next time I'm in Chicago I will check this out. Thanks!

I toured the Robie House a couple times when the U of C owned it, & the place is just as striking as everybody says it is. It's a remarkably cohesive structure, with *everything* inside considered & constructed to provide those lucky enough to live there with a legitimately dignified sort of unending, linear inspiration. Knowing about Wright's design ability is one thing; being authentically immersed in it is something else entirely. 🤯

Thanks for reminding me to go back - I was there in 2013 - they had property stabilized by then, but there was still a lot of work to be done inside. Even then, however, you could feel how the space would be once brought back with furnishings. Since it was a WIP you were pretty unconstrained as you moved through - probably not so today. This was probably one of the more 'revolutionary' of FLW designs, given the time frame. It just was not done. Remember, FLW was doing Queen Anne until the early 1890's and he'd it wasn't till after 1900 that the low slung elements of his Prairie School really came together. But even with those designs, he had not yet hit the sweep of this plan.

Absolutely the most goated moment for fraternities in history. Frat bros keep this W forever.

I've always Loved Mr Wrights designs in Architecture. I create such structures & it accompaniments "Furniture & Décor" in a virtual simulator. Its amazing how inspiring Wrights Designs are. Some are so complicated in design I cant look at them without getting worried or stressed out LOL but all in all, his designs really border on ultra modernism with traditional accentuation making these designs timeless. Just looking at some through you back into the past while others inspiring for newer more modern ideals. That's what appeals to me in his structures. Thank you for this very nice Video I very much enjoyed it & now I have new ideas in which to create new things Virtually.

Wow ,truly amazing,great work @ this house,all the very best from your sincere subscriber, please do a video on Buckingham palace if possible

I can’t imagine the fact that this, one of the most iconic buildings in the country, was going to be demolished. It is the epitome of Frank Lloyd Wright’s genius.

Always one of my faves!

This comment is for feeding the algorithm monster. Seems it enjoys munching on comments, replies and likes to both. 👍 Share a treat with it and watch the channel grow!🏡🏘

@ThisHouse

Жыл бұрын

Cheers!

@ShirleeKnott

Жыл бұрын

@@ThisHouse 🙂

There are 2 fine examples of his work in Buffalo NewYork.

What a incredible achievement, as a woodworker I have been studying FLW including Green & Green,

“It all goes to show the danger of entrusting anything spiritual to the clergy”. The truth in that quote alone is as beautiful as Wright’s designs.

I visited often as a student at U of C when they owned it. It contained the office of alumni affairs and several influential alumni supported me against hostile faculty then. Since then I've done the tour several times. Amazing that the original owner even had his own gas station in it at the time.

Terrific report Ken!

That house is stunning

Thank you for the video!

Very nice video, thank you. It is odd that such a large / expensive house sits (and apparently always sat) on a small piece of land where streets bound 2 sides and an alley, the third. The back side has the seminary's building up close to the property line.

Proof that the church's only interest is self interest. Such a stunning meld of art, design and human spirit.

The Darwin Martin House Complex completed in 1906 is by far Wright's crowning achievement. Wright had no restraints - financial or otherwise - and thus created an unparalleled masterpiece. Like Mr Martin, Mrs Martin had no say. Greystone, their summer/weekend home on lake Erie is said to be Mrs Martin's house while Martin House in Buffalo is FLW's and Mr Martin's.

I grew up near the Robbie House. As a child in the late 40's/early 50's I used to run around on the front porch pretending that it was the bridge of a ship and I the captain.

Beautiful house. Reminds me of the Meyer May house.

I toured it when it was owned by the UofC in the 1990s. It's impressive.

My favorite architect. Eternally grateful to be inspired and continue the legacy.

In childhood I lived a few blocks away, and I remember my parents contributing to the campaign to save the house.

I’m loving your Wright series. ❤🌈

Stunning. Simply Stunning.

I sense a great deal of inspiration from traditional Japanese construction in this house.

FLW - truly a man ahead of his time