While traveling for work to Buffalo, NY, I had opportunity to visit the Darwin D. Martin House Complex. The Martin House complex is a prime example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie House and was built between 1903 to 1905 for Darwin Martin, an executive with the Larkin Soap Company.
My colleagues and I were give the tour of the complex by the Executive Director, Mary Roberts. She was very generous with her time and we saw just about every inch of the 29,080 square foot complex.
Image via Darwin D. Martin House Complex
Buildings on the grounds include: The Darwin D. Martin House (1904-1905), the George Barton House (1903-1904), The Martin House Pergola (demolished 1962, reconstructed 2004-2007), the Martin House Conservatory (demolished 1962, reconstructed 2004-2007), Martin House Carriage House (demolished 1962, reconstructed 2004-2007) and the Martin House Gardener's Cottage (1909).
Image via Darwin D. Martin House ComplexThe Martin House Restoration Corporation, the non-profit organization responsible for restoring the complex, also just recently completed construction on the new visitor's center, the Eleanor & Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion. The pavilion is a great piece of architecture in it's own right; it pays homage to Wright's architectural style without blatantly trying to copy it. The flat roof echoes the shapes of the Martin House and the interior walls are made of acrylic brick the same size and shape of the house. The pavilion is gorgeous and adds to the site rather than distracting from it or trying to disappear into the background.
Image via Library of Congress
As with many of the homes he built, Wright also designed furniture for the Martin House and he tried to strictly dictate the lifestyle of the family that would live inside. The Martins went along with many of Wright's ideas/mandates, but also made their house livable by adding a finished basement, a large kitchen, and eventually bumping out some walls in an attempt to let more light into certain rooms.
Image via Library of Congress
I, unfortunately, forgot to bring my camera with me on this trip (I need to buy a smaller one that I can keep with me at all time) but here are some other great shots of the house from around the internet.
All in all, a great place to visit if you're in or around Buffalo. If you're fan of Wright or modern architecture, it should be a must-see on your list.
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1 comments:
I believe this house was featured in an issue of American Bungalow not too long ago...that fireplace is definitely familiar to me. How lucky you are to have had the chance to visit such a fine example of architecture. We have a Gustav Stickley home in the neighborhood, but nothing on this scale. Jealous! :-)
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