FREDERICK C. ROBIE HOUSE

Built between 1908 and 1910 on Chicago's south side, Robie House is characteristic of the "Prairie" style developed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. A visit to Robie House complements a visit to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park. With its high ceilings and open spaces bordered by bay windows, Wright revolutionized architecture, which he sought to modernize at all costs. Indeed, he was the originator of the open-space concept, which he experimented with here. In 1908, Frederick C. Robie, a flamboyant businessman, commissioned a house equipped with the latest technology, where privacy reigned supreme. However, he didn't want to sacrifice exterior views, and Wright succeeded in fulfilling this wish, opening up every room to the environment - then composed mainly of meadows - while avoiding vis-à-vis with the few neighbors. The house, moreover, is shaped like a ship, with the main deck represented in the living room, making Robie the captain of the neighborhood! Robie House is considered one of the most important modern buildings in the world. In fact, it has recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (July 2019), alongside seven of the architect's other buildings. If we had one criticism to make, it would be that the tour, which lasts around 50 minutes, is a little short for our liking. For the record, the house is located on the edge of the University of Chicago campus, a stone's throw from the Oriental Institute.