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Unity Temple, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908, is considered one of Wright’s finest buildings, especially notable for its revolutionary use of reinforced concrete. Still in use by the original Unitarian Universalist Congregation for whom it was designed in 1908, Unity Temple is a place of worship and community meeting place. Open to the public seven days a week with weekend guided tours, it also hosts over 25,000 scholars, students, and visitors each year. Over the years, the elements have had detrimental effects on the concrete, and the Temple received a Partners in Preservation grant to help.
What is the historical significance of this site?
Named by the American Institute of Architecture as one of Wright's "Most Influential Buildings," Unity Temple was Wright's first solo public commission. Today, it is one of the well-known surviving public buildings from Wright's Prairie period, and he referred to the Temple as his contribution to Modern architecture.
What is the current status of the grant?
While work was taking place on the roof drains over the temple in the fall of 2008, a very heavy thunderstorm dumped several inches of rain on the roof. A few days later, a large section of plaster and concrete dislodged from the ceiling over the sanctuary. No one was injured, but the incident revealed that the roof slab had been severely compromised by many decades of poor drainage. Since that time, the congregation and the Restoration Foundation have conducted extensive studies of the roofing materials and have designed a new model for the roof drains and roofing repairs.
The analysis of the roof slab in February 2009 recommended repairs to the concrete, including widespread full-depth repairs and some partial-depth repairs. The congregation and Restoration Foundation are in the process of securing the funding for the complete package of work. The remaining Partners in Preservation funding will be used to install interior and exterior shoring and scaffolding to support the south roof slab due to damage caused by the malfunctioning roof drainage system.
The project is expected to be completed in November 2009.
Why this site needs your support:
Unity Temple is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest achievements. Wright himself said of the Temple, "That was my first expression of this eternal idea which is at the center and core of all true modern architecture. A sense of space, a new sense of space." As Wright's first major public building commission and an intriguing example of Modern architecture, Unity Temple should be preserved for the future. To donate to the project, visit here.
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