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Wright's Robie House Restoration Project
The seriously deteriorated Robie House is being restored to its original
splendor by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, according to
the guidelines developed by the Secretary of the Interior's Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The
$8-million-plus project endeavors to preserve this icon of modern architecture
as an architectural house museum, so future generations can experience
its remarkable design and incredible spaces.
Exterior restoration has been completed. Interior restoration has begun
in the dining room prow area and will proceed as funds are raised. The
restoration of the kitchen and baths is partially funded by tourismcares.org.
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Robie
House during exterior restoration.
Collection of FLWPT.
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Frequently asked restoration questions:
Why is it important to restore the Robie House?
Decades of decay and neglect have endangered the Wright's Robie House, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building that the architect
himself termed “a cornerstone of modern architecture” and
the only one of his creations that he fought to save from demolition – twice.
Wright was not the only one to regard the Robie House as an important
structure. Architectural historians consider it one of the most important
buildings in the history of American architecture and a masterpiece
of the Prairie style. Although designated one of the 12 most significant
structures of the twentieth century by the American Institute of
Architects, the Robie House was badly in need of repairs. In 1999,
the Robie House was named an official project of the Save America's
Treasures program, intended to help preserve America's irreplaceable
historic and cultural treasures. Now a 10-year, $8-million-plus restoration
project is giving this American icon a new lease on life and preserving
it for future generations. back
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Who is conducting and paying for the restoration?
The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, known for its award-winning
historical restoration of Wright's first home and studio in Oak Park,
Illinois, is responsible for researching and implementing the restoration
of the Robie House. A Restoration Committee, comprising staff members,
architects and architectural historians, oversees all planning and
makes critical decisions about the restoration.
The Preservation Trust is also solely
responsible for raising all the funds required to restore the building
to strict museum standards. Sources of major funding have included grants
from the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation,
the State of Illinois, the Pritzker Foundation, and contributions by
members and friends of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. Proceeds
from membership fees, tours, bookshop sales and educational programs
also support the restoration. To date, $4 million has been raised and
successfully spent on half the project. A campaign to raise another
$4 million to complete the project is in progress.
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What are the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation
Trust's goals for the restoration?
The restoration's main goals are to stabilize the building, repair
the damage caused over time, and return the building to its original
appearance in 1910 when construction was completed and the house best
reflected the design intent of the architect and the client. Throughout
the process, as much original building fabric as possible will be conserved,
and as many original furnishings as possible will be installed. The
restored Wright's Robie House will be operated and preserved as
an architectural house museum, so that future generations can experience
this historic treasure. back to
farq's
Is the Robie
House open to visitors during the restoration?
Visitors can tour the Robie House every day of the year except Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year's. By keeping the building open to the public
during restoration, the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust aims to
increase public understanding of the importance of preserving sites
that reflect America's history, and the process of restoring historic
buildings. The restoration provides a rare opportunity to peek behind
the walls and learn how the building is constructed. Proceeds from tours
help fund the restoration as well.
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What restoration work has been completed so
far?
First, a master plan for restoration was developed after extensive
research, including archival documentation of historical records and
photographs, and an analysis of existing conditions of all building
materials and components. A distinguished panel of restoration architects
and Wright scholars reviewed and discussed the plan. Pre-restoration
projects included the development of dozens of architectural drawings;
completion of life safety work, including asbestos removal; detailed
documentation of existing conditions of all 174 panels of art glass;
beginning of ADA compliance through the addition of wheelchair-accessible
bathrooms; an evaluation of existing mechanical, electrical and fire
safety systems; and data logging of temperature and humidity in different
rooms through each season. Since the Robie House was originally designed
as a home, but was now to be open for public tours, engineers studied
the implications of assembly occupancy for the building.
Exterior restoration began in the spring of 2002, and was completed
on schedule in July 2003. The first step was to stabilize the building
by preventing further water infiltration and repairing termite-damaged
areas. Major projects included repairs of damage caused by water penetration,
installation of a historical clay tile roof, replastering of deteriorated
soffits, extensive masonry repairs, replacement of damaged bricks and
limestone, stabilization or rebuilding of balconies, and conservation
of 22 art glass doors and windows. All internal electrical wiring was
updated and new water service was introduced. A climate management system,
interlocking aspirating fire detection system, and a dry sprinkler system
were installed.
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What remains to be done?
While the exterior restoration has been completed, a significant amount
of work remains to fully restore the Robie House to its historic
appearance. First, "hardscaping" of the site is necessary.
This includes installation of drainage and lighting around the site,
as well as reproduction of iron gates around the garden and garage
area.
Next, the interior of the
home, after years of use as a dormitory and office building, needs to
be restored to the original design. This includes recreating interior
finishes and paint colors; conserving the original wood floors; and
conserving 118 art glass windows and sashes. Missing building elements
need to be restored, including custom fabricating 70 brass light fixtures;
reconstructing built-in cabinets and buffets; replacing missing hardware;
recreating bathroom fixtures; and procuring period pieces such as telephones,
a stove and ice box.
Subsequently, five custom-made
carpets need to be recreated; non-extant furniture reproduced; and custom-made
table linens, lamps, cushions and portieres reproduced and installed
in order to return the interior to its 1910 appearance. Finally, paintings,
vases, and other decorative objects such as those displayed in the historical
photographs of the Robie House must be acquired and installed.
Finally, the exterior needs
to be landscaped to emphasize the relationship Wright created between
the building and nature. Three large elm trees must be planted to recreate
the appearance of the site in 1910, and the built-in flower boxes planted
to recreate the appearance of the exterior as portrayed in the famous
Wasmuth Portfolio plate of 1910.
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At present, in what stage is the restoration
project?
Exterior restoration of the Robie House was completed in July 2003.
Inside the building, the dining room prow area is the first space being
restored. Remaining projects will commence as funds become available.
$1 million is needed to continue the next immediate phase, which features
"hardscaping" (lighting, drainage, reproduction iron gates)
of the site as well as complete interior restoration of one room. The
first interior phase, which addresses returning original finishes, reproduction
fixtures and built-in furnishings to the 9,062-square-foot museum, will
require more than $3 million to complete. The subsequent interior phase,
returning original and reproduced furnishings, textiles and decorative
objects to the Robie House, cannot commence until the initial interior
phase is completed. The landscaping phase, which will help to emphasize
the relationship Wright created between the building and nature, is
expected to cost $50,000. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust
is working tirelessly to raise the additional funds needed for this
monumental restoration to continue.
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How can I help restore the Robie House?
Make a donation
You can help by making a donation toward restoring the Robie House
for future generations. Our goal is to raise $4 million to complete
the restoration, but no contribution is too small.
Restoring a historic building
to museum standards and keeping it open for public access are expensive
undertakings. Here are some examples of restoration costs and how your
donation dollars will help with the next phase:
- $30,000 - Reproduction of courtyard gates
- $4,000 - Conservation of one art glass window panel and sash
- $5,000 - Conservation/Restoration of French door art glass and door
sash
- $250,000 - Restoration of first interior space selected (dining
room prow area)
I want to support the
restoration of the Robie House!
Own an original Robie House brick
You can purchase an authentic Robie House brick from a limited number
of the home's original bricks that could not be incorporated into our
restoration work. Complete with commemorative plaque, certificate of
authenticity and history, each rust-colored, iron-spotted, kiln-fired
brick is a distinctive piece of this architectural icon. Contact us
at 708.848.3440 to order your brick.
Dimensions 6"W x 4"H x 1-1/2"D $250
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