Arthur Heurtley House, Chicago

The Arthur Heurtley House stands as a seminal piece in the development of Frank Lloyd Wright's distinctive Prairie style, a design philosophy that sought to create buildings that were harmonious with the flat, expansive U.S. Midwest landscape. Commissioned in 1902 by Arthur Heurtley, one of Wright’s wealthier clients, the house exemplifies several innovative features that would later become hallmarks of Wright's Prairie-style homes. Among its most striking features is the absence of a traditional basement or attic, a decision that underscored the house's emphasis on horizontal lines and a streamlined, modern aesthetic that was revolutionary at the time.

The exterior of the Heurtley House is particularly notable for its sophisticated use of brickwork. Wright chose to dye the vertical mortar to match the bricks, while leaving the horizontal mortar in its natural color, effectively highlighting the building's elongated, earth-hugging lines. This horizontal emphasis is further enhanced by a continuous ribbon of art glass windows that run beneath the substantial overhang of the house’s hipped roof, allowing natural light to filter into the home while also providing a sense of privacy and seclusion.

Inside, the Heurtley House features an interior layout that was radical for its time. Wright chose to reverse the conventional floor plan, placing the main living and dining areas on the second floor rather than the ground level. This arrangement took full advantage of the surrounding views and emphasized the separation of public and private spaces within the home. The house’s interior, with its open spaces and flow between rooms, reflects Wright’s vision of a living environment that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, free from the constraints of traditional residential design.

Over the years, the Heurtley House has been well-preserved and was subject to a museum-grade restoration in 1997 by then-owners Ed and Diana Baehren. Despite its significance in the pantheon of American architecture, the house remains privately owned and is not open to the public. This seclusion adds to the mystique of the property, preserving its integrity as a residential space while also serving as a testament to Wright’s enduring influence on modern architectural design.