Peter A. Beachy House, Chicago

The Peter A. Beachy House showcases a dramatic transformation under the architectural guidance of Frank Lloyd Wright in 1906. Commissioned by Emma Beachy, daughter of Peter Fahrney—a successful doctor and real estate investor in Chicago—the project involved a comprehensive renovation of an existing Gothic cottage intended for her children and her second husband, Peter A. Beachy. Wright's intervention was so extensive that little of the original structure was left untouched, with the redesign essentially resting on the existing foundation.

Wright’s design positioned the house on the northern corner of a large lot, a strategic choice that maximizes exposure to natural light, enhancing both the aesthetics and energy efficiency of the home. Architecturally, the house features gabled roofs and presents a striking facade with red brick on the first story and stucco accented with dark wood trim on the upper level. This combination of materials and colors provides a rich texture and depth to the exterior, setting it apart from Wright’s more typical Prairie-style homes, which often use a more uniform material and color palette.

In contrast to the abstract and minimalist art glass typically seen in many of Wright’s designs from this period, the Beachy House features casement windows with heavy wood mullions that add a robust and traditional element to the house’s overall modernist aesthetic. These windows not only contribute to the structural expression of the building but also reflect a unique blend of the contemporary and the traditional, a hallmark of Wright's versatility and responsiveness to client preferences.