Non-Residential Works, 1900-1920

Wright's basic philosophy of architecture was stated primarily through the house form, and he had few major commissions for public buildings, office buildings or skyscrapers in the early years. The Larkin Administration Building in Buffalo, New York (1903) was his only large-scale structure prior to the Midway Gardens in Chicago (1913) and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo ( 1915-16). None of these buildings is standing today.

Nevertheless, two of Wright's non-residential works of this period are among the most widely admired and imitated architectural works of the century. The Larkin Administration Building in Buffalo and Unity Church in Oak Park, Illinois (1904) are considered highly important works, and, with the prairie houses, earned him acclaim in Europe where exhibitions of his work hastened the demise of Art Nouveau and stimulated younger architects to seek a new direction.

Links to photographs and other materials:

Larkin Building (1903), Buffalo, New York (demolished). Digital 3-D model.

Larkin Building. Site by PBS.org with drawings, photos and discussion.

Larking Building. Site by Archiplanet; includes discussion, location map.

Unity Church (1904), Oak Park, Illinois. Web site of the Unitarian Universalist congregation; includes information about the restoration of the building.

Unity Temple. Site by PBS.org with drawings, photos and discussion.

Unity Temple. Color photographs of interior and exterior.

Unity Temple. Digital Imaging Project. Color images of exterior and interior.

Unity Temple. Interior tour.

First National Bank (1905), Dwight, Illinois. Color photograph.

W. H. Pettit Mortuary Chapel (1906), Belvidere, Illinois. Color photograph.

City National Bank (1909), Mason City, Iowa. Color photographs.

A.D. German Warehouse (1915), Richland Center, Wisconsin. Color photographs & discussion.

Ravine Bluffs Development Bridge (1915), Glencoe, Illinois. Color photograph; post detail .

Imperial Hotel. Site by PBS.org with drawings, photos and discussion.

Imperial Hotel. Commentary and list of study resources.

Imperial Hotel Dinnerware. Color photograph of place setting plus discussion.