If you’re big into American architecture, chances are you have heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. When he began designing in the 1890s, there wasn’t a set style of American architecture, so he set out to create one. Throughout his career, Wright designed over 1,000 buildings, defining American architecture with his innovative ideas. Nowadays, he’s recognized as one of the most famous architects of all time, so visitors worldwide flock to see his works, primarily private homes. Although two-thirds of the remaining houses by Wright are privately owned, a slew of them are open to the public. Here are 6 Frank Lloyd Wright houses you can (and should) visit.
Rosenbaum House (Florence, AL)
As the only Wright-designed home in Alabama, the Rosenbaum House adheres to minimalism and doesn’t have an attic or a basement. Originally owned by newlyweds Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum, it immediately gave the couple structural problems when they first moved in. It was converted into a museum and now sits near the Tennessee River and blends into the surrounding nature with its floor-to-ceiling windows and neutral-colored aesthetic.
Hollyhock House (Los Angeles, CA)
Hollyhock House was commissioned by oil heiress and socialite Aline Barnsdall. It was built over two years in East Hollywood and highlights the enigmatic style that Wright adopted during his time in Los Angeles. In 2019, it became a UNESCO World Heritage List as part of its ‘The 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright’ collection.
Cedar Rock (Buchanan County, IA)
Encompassing 1,8000 square feet of design, this house has Frank Lloyd Wright written all over it. Located in Buchanan County, Iowa, it has a completely flat roof, brick walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and concrete floors. According to an esoteric legend, Wright oversaw every dreamy detail of this property, so it’s special.
Muirhead Farmhouse (Hampshire, IL)
As the only farmhouse Wright ever designed, the Muirhead Farmhouse is an underrated gem in Hampshire, Illinois. With 3,200 square feet of space and 800 acres of prairie grassland, the ranch-style house sprawls across the property. This Usonian-style home is distinctly boxy and unlike any farmhouse you’ve ever seen. If you plan to visit, remember that the farmhouse is open only part of the year during the warmer months.
Fallingwater (Mill Run, PA)
Fallingwater is arguably the most well-known building Wright ever created after the Guggenheim Museum. Hidden in the hilly Lauren Highlands in the town of Mill Run, Pennsylvania, this house is perched on top of a waterfall. Construction was completed in 1939 and used as a vacation home by the original family who owned it. Nowadays, the property is a UNESCO World Heritage site known as one of the best works of American architecture.
