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Explore > Robie House > Story Archives
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Robie House
Submitted by Al, NC
Between 1969 and 1971 I lived in Chicago and only two blocks from the Robie House. I walked by it everyday on my way to work, though I do not remember whether I ever went inside. Years later, visiting Jan Kieckhefer, I was given her guided tour of the place, which was mostly gutted out inside the house at the time, though the renovations looked promising. It is a wonderful landmark, immediately recognizable by name and, of course, by the name of its architect. It should certainly be restored and remain a landmark of the area and of a career.
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ROBIE HOUSE
Submitted by RWT, MICHIGAN
My wife and I took a tour or the Robie House 15 years ago when it was in reasonably good shape. It is right next to the campus of the University
of Chicago. A beautiful area. A must see!
Richard William Thomas
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Shannon Miller
Submitted by shanny, Northwest of Chicago
My husband Roger is a great fan of Frank Lloyd Wright. Through our 18 years of marriage I have also become a great fan. We have gone to see several of his homes he designed including his studio in Oak Park where he designed The Robie House. He was a very gifted man, his vision was remarkable, to think he designed these homes so long ago and they look like they could have been designed for today or even far into the future. His attention to detail was unbelievable, he thought of everything possible and then some. He has so much to show for his lifetime and it lives on for us and future generations to see thanks to preservation. BUT it takes money to keep this going. It would be a shame to see this beautiful house be torn down!!! It is a wonderful place for the design students at the university to get inspiration from. It has great historical value and a wonderful story behind it. Please don't let this story die. By keeping this house standing and in good repair the story of this house can live on well into the future. Our children, grand-children and great grand children and well beyond, deserve to have the chance to know this house and it's history. Thank-you PLEASE VOTE ROBIE HOUSE!!! Shannon Miller
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a week in chicago
Submitted by graham, North Carolina
This lovely landmark is still on my mind to this day. The interior architecture department from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro took a trip to Chicago and we explored much of Wright's architecture. It is amazing how well-constructed and preserved the building itself is. However, it was very upsetting to hear what took place during its housing of the U of Chicago. It would be amazing to see more restoration happen to this wonderful and mysterious home. All the details and the experience of standing in the grandeur of such a modern marvel is just amazing. Sensibility of design was placed in such a large structure, so much so that it is at one with the land and surrounding area.
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Life Altering Visit
Submitted by Jack, SE United States
In 1960, I was an electrical engineering student at the University of Illinois. My mother had recently taken a position of nurse at the University of Chicago Pre-school. I took her to work one morning and was introduced to the Robie House as I drove up to the school. Across the street from the entrance was this grand building. It was amazing to see a "modern" home among all the "vintage" buildings of the University campus. I parked the car and walked around the building for an hour. My life was altered that morning. I changed my major to Architecture and went on to become a registered architect. For almost 50 years now my mind regularly revisits that life-changing morning and the genius of its architect's contribution to Modern architecture.
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Robbie
Submitted by carla mallol, barcelona
Every time I come to Chicago I try to go to the Robbie House... and always something strange happens to me, and I can't go. This summer when I came for only 2 days there was a tornado, i could not believe it...but that didn't stop me this time from visiting the house... No matter how much time passes, the Robbie House is as good as it was on the time it was first built, still able to compete with the best architecture as if it had been created today. It is a great aesthetic experience to walk the house and encourages us architects to improve and enjoy, besides reminding us how rich this profession is, and how happy must Wright have felt with this one... I was happy to see all the work of preservation.
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National Treasure
Submitted by Thompson Family, Western US
Last summer, we traveled from Utah to Chicago to view Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Chicago. Our son became fascinated with Wright as a result of a middle school history fair that led to his interest in a career in architecture. The Robie House is a national treasure that has been on the brink of destruction at one point. We were enthralled with the restored section of the dining room that displayed Wright's original colors. Years of neglect while being used by the U of Chicago resulted in white walls and broken light screens. We support the Robie House because it is a landmark of huge architectural significance. Please consider voting for this site.
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Robie is the One
Submitted by James, Dowtown Chicago
Visiting the Robie House renews my spirit, every time. Beautiful. I've learned so much from each experience.
Wright's freedom and invention are staggering - he sets the bar up high - but never out of reach.
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The house that started it all
Submitted by Jeff, Chicago
I have somehow become a huge fan of architecture. I attribute it to a day when I rode my bike by the Robie House, then the Ward W. Willits House. The only reason I know the second is because I saw the first. Still one of my favorite houses - 20 years later.
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40+ years of watching Robie House's ups & downs
Submitted by David, Chicago
I have been fascinated with this building ever since I walked by it on my first day of college at the University of Chicago in the Fall of 1965. In all its various transformations, it has always posed interesting questions for anyone interested in urban architecture and Chicago's unique place as custodian of so many iconic buildings. In my first encounters, "why was such a beautiful building sitting here in this site, surrounded by overgrown and patiently waiting for new inhabitants to bring it back to life?". A few years later, as the initial site of the ill-fated Palavi Center for International Studies and thus a target for antiwar protesters, "why has defacing this building become an obsession of the undercover FBI agent props leading the demonstration?" Next, as an office for the University's Development Dept, "why had its inhabitants removed any trace of the architect's interior and replaced it with mundane office furniture?" Finally, on my last visit just a few years ago, I was treated to a private tour by the amazing people now in charge with its restoration. My question then and now is "why has it taken so long for Chicagoans to recognize the importance of this building and invest in its restoration and upkeep?" Like Frank Lloyd Wright's own personal history, this building has so many stories and has survived so many ups and downs that its rebirth and preservation is almost a miracle.
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Amazing house!
Submitted by Tom, South Side
A couple of years ago a few of my friends and I got into this book, The Wright Three . When we were done, we went up to Hyde Park to see all the real sites, it was amazing. The Robie House was just as the author Blue Balliet had described it. The art was everywhere from the design of the furniture to the windows and even the ceiling! Though when I saw the inside, i realized that this house needed help. Wright had saved it from demolition and left it up to us to bring it back to its former wonder. The Robie House is a great piece of art and is one of the many architectural treasures in Chicago, please help.
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A Great Space to Explore
Submitted by Anthony, West Suburbs
I volunteered at Robie House for two years, and worked there for five; it is one of the most fantastic spaces I have ever been in. I am one of the lucky few who experienced Robie House on a daily basis, in every season. During a rain storm, the sounds of the water flowing out of the spitters on the roof and hitting the drains at ground level is magical; almost like a waterfall. And, being in the living room and the dining room on a bright, sunny day in winter is incredible; the way the sun shines through the art glass, casting marvelous shadows of the art glass pattern on the carpet. I love this house! And, I encourage everyone to take some time and take a tour of this masterwork of modern architecture.
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A magical experience
Submitted by Joan, Chicago
Having been in the Robie House thousands of times, I am still filled with a sense of awe each time I enter the building. It is magical to see the reflection of the rising sun on the art glass windows and to watch the shadows move across the open space. The Robie House is an icon of modern architecture and I believe it's the most important work of art in Chicago.
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Wright's legacy continues its influence
Submitted by Terry, Chicago
I wrote a thesis on the Robie House in college so it is very exciting to be involved with the restoration that will allow future generations to experience Wright's vision. The building's impact on twentieth century architecture is undisputed and though it is almost a hundred years old, it still continues to influence architecture today. A work that is so enduring is worth preserving.
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A work of art that speaks to all ages
Submitted by Dillon, Chicago
I became a Junior Interpreter at the Robie House because I've always found Frank Lloyd Wright's work to be so inspirational. The Robie House is one of the most unique buildings I've ever been in. That's why I enjoy giving tours and showing others the house. It's amazing to me how something built so long ago is still so beautiful and how so many people are still moved by it today. I guess that's what makes it a work of art.
- Dillon, age 15
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A symphony in bricks and mortar
Submitted by Larry, Chicago
I have given tours of the Robie House to hundreds of visitors. To me, the building is like Beethoven's Fifth Symphony , a perfect composition. Every detail is there for a reason and there is nothing missing. It is the ultimate statement of Wright's Prairie style, but it has a double significance because it is so important in the history of modern architecture.
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