01 Apr frank lloyd wright’s thomas p. hardy house: “purest formulation that wright was ever to make of a symmetrical, frontalized house.”
April 1, 2026
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, Travel, Uncategorized
the thomas p. hardy house is a frank lloyd wright-designed prairie school home located in racine, Wisconsin. constructed in 1905, the side of the house facing the street is predominantly stucco, providing privacy for residents from the adjacent sidewalk and road, while expansive windows on the opposite side open towards lake michigan.
description and history:
positioned atop a bluff with views of lake michigan, the house is designed vertically along the hillside and includes a partial basement. the seven art glass windows on the first floor, which face the street, feature an abstract representation of the home’s floor plan. most windows are situated either on the upper level or facing the lake. not visible from the street side are the terrace, positioned one story below street level, as well as the two-story living room with its upper-story balcony, which opens the main living area to full lake views.
between 2013 and 2015, the home underwent renovations that restored its original terra cotta color.
this residence exemplifies wright’s skill in harmonizing architectural design with its site. while most homes on this street are set close to the sidewalk due to the steep drop-off toward the lake, wright’s entry to the hardy house is situated precisely at the sidewalk line.
