Robie House Named Among Buildings That Changed America; See It After Dark In April
By Benjy Lipsman in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 5, 2013 4:20PM
In a city full of amazing architecture, the Robie House remains one of our absolute favorites. The Frank Lloyd Wright home in Hyde Park is considered one of his greatest masterpieces. Now, it's also considered among "10 Buildings That Changed America," the title of a new PBS special airing on May 12 at 9 p.m.
Hosted by Geoffrey Baer, known to Chicagoans for his many local tour programs on Channel 11, the special will look at how ten influential American buildings changed the way we live, work and play. The Robie House, a classic example of Wright's prairie style, made the list because of the way it and Wright's ideas for single family homes influenced major shifts in how we lived. Wright's open floorplans and low-slung homes ushered a shift from formal, upright houses of the Victorian era to the rambling ranches and multipurpose great rooms of today. It joins works like St. Louis' Wainwright Building, Ford's assembly plant in Highland Park, Mich., the first enclosed shopping mall in Minnesota, and the Mies van der Rohe-designed Seagram Building in New York City.
April After Hours at Robie House
For those who want to experience the Robie House in the flesh, the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust' will be hosting April After Hours at Robie House each Friday evening of the month, beginning tonight. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., you'll be able to wander the landmark home while enjoying live music, drinks, light hors d’oeuvres and a festive, casual atmosphere. Speaker programs will begin at 6:30 each week. After Hours costs $30 for FLWPT members or $35 for non-members.
The Robie House is at 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave.