Definitely Not Victorian

I recently received the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust's membership e-news, which had an interesting piece on the Wright-designed Frank Thomas House (Oak Park, IL) that I thought PrairieMod readers would enjoy. Read more after the jump...

"The last year of the Victorian era was 1901. In that year, in typically revolutionary style, Frank Lloyd Wright was building the antithesis of the Victorian house: the Frank W. Thomas House in Oak Park, Illinois. Considered the first house in Oak Park to reflect the maturation of Wright's Prairie style of architecture, the Thomas house will be accessible for public tours for the first time in 21 years as part of the May 15, 2010 Wright Plus housewalk.

The Thomas House shares architecturally famed Forest Avenue with 6 other Wright homes, including his own Home and Studio. Beginning with the design of his home in 1889, Wright worked to develop a new American style of architecture that broke with European traditions to reflect America's values and its landscape. Wright's Prairie style evokes the flat, horizontal vistas of the local terrain. It's defining characteristics-low-hipped roof with overhanging eaves, broad massive chimney, horizontal banding of windows and wood trim, a "hidden" entrance and art glass windows-all come together beautifully in the Thomas house. Sitting amid neighboring Italianate and Queen Anne residences, the Thomas house is a startling departure that still looks modern today.

Visitors to the Thomas House will be particularly dazzled by the intricate, jewel-like art glass with shimmering glints of gold and white that brings in light while also affording privacy. The home's welcoming archway turns whimsical, when the visitor must wind and ascend to the entry, surrounded by art-glass doors. A 1922 addition to the rear of the home was designed by noted Prairie School architects Thomas Eddy Tallmadge and Vernon S. Watson, in a style faithful to Wright's original.

The acclaimed Wright Plus housewalk, a festive day drawing architecture lovers from around the world, will feature rare interior tours of the Thomas House, as well as seven other private homes and two public buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries in Oak Park and neighboring River Forest. Wright Plus weekend is filled with more unique architectural experiences. Details and tickets are available at GoWright.org."

Text and image via the FLWPT