Robie House Restoration Project

Why is it important to restore the Robie House?
Decades of decay and neglect had endangered Wright's Robie House, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building that the architect himself termed "a cornerstone of modern architecture" and the only one of his creations that he fought to save from demolition - twice. Wright was not the only one to regard the Robie House as an important structure. Architectural historians consider it one of the most important buildings in the history of American architecture, a masterpiece of the Prairie style and a forerunner of modernism. Although designated one of the 10 most significant structures of the twentieth century by the American Institute of Architects, the Robie House was badly in need of repairs. In 1999, the Robie House was named an official project of the Save America's Treasures program, intended to help preserve America's irreplaceable historic and cultural treasures. Now a $10-million-plus restoration project, undertaken by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, is giving this American icon a new lease on life and preserving it for future generations.

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Who is conducting and paying for the restoration?
The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, known for its award-winning historical restoration of Wright's first home and studio in Oak Park, Illinois, is responsible for restoring the Robie House. A Restoration Committee, comprising staff members, architects and architectural historians, oversees all planning and makes critical decisions about the restoration.

The Preservation Trust is also solely responsible for raising all the funds required to restore the building to strict museum standards. Sources of major funding have included grants from the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the State of Illinois, the Pritzker Foundation, Tourism Cares for Tomorrow, and contributions by members and friends of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. Proceeds from membership fees, tours, museum shop sales and educational programs also support the restoration. To date, $5.5 million has been raised and successfully spent on half the project.

The Robie House Centennial Campaign is in full operation securing financial support for the restoration from the philanthropic community. As with all construction campaigns, some financial support comes in the form of pledged donations, which are received over a period of time, often several years. In order to bridge the gap between campaign income and construction payment, the Preservation Trust has access to interest-free bank funds that add no cost to the restoration. By covering campaign income gaps with interest-free bank funds, the Preservation Trust can accelerate the construction schedule and eliminate costly work stoppage.

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What are the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust's goals for the restoration?
The restoration's main goals are to stabilize the building, repair the damage caused over time, and return the building to its original appearance in 1910 when construction was completed and the house best reflected the design intent of the architect and the client. Throughout the process, as much original building fabric as possible is being conserved so that the Robie House showcases with historical accuracy Frank Lloyd Wright’s original extraordinary design, engaging and inspiring new generations of visitors.

The restored Robie House will offer an opportunity to expand public access to the building, develop new guest experiences, offer extraordinary programming and advance traditional house museum interpretation. Our objective is to increase public engagement while creating innovative reasons to revisit the museum.

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Is the Robie House open to visitors during the restoration?
Public tours of the Robie House are offered Friday - Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Advance tickets are highly recommended. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 1.800.514.ETIX (3849).

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What restoration work has been completed so far?
First, a master plan for restoration was developed after extensive research, including archival documentation of historical records and photographs and an analysis of existing conditions of all building materials and components. A distinguished panel of restoration architects and Wright scholars reviewed and discussed the plan. Pre-restoration projects included the development of dozens of architectural drawings; completion of life safety work, including asbestos removal; detailed documentation of existing conditions of all 174 panels of art glass; beginning of ADA compliance through the addition of wheelchair-accessible bathrooms; an evaluation of existing mechanical, electrical and fire safety systems; and data logging of temperature and humidity in different rooms through each season. Since the Robie House was originally designed as a home, but now functions as a public museum, engineers studied the implications of assembly occupancy for the building.

Exterior restoration began in the spring of 2002, and was completed on schedule in July 2003. The first step was to stabilize the building by preventing further water infiltration and repairing termite-damaged areas. Major projects included repairs of water damage, installation of a historical clay tile roof, replastering of deteriorated soffits, extensive masonry repairs, replacement of damaged bricks and limestone, stabilization or rebuilding of balconies, and conservation of 22 art glass doors and windows. All internal electrical wiring was updated and new water service was introduced. A climate management system, interlocking aspirating fire detection system, and a dry sprinkler system were installed. Reproduction iron gates have been installed in the garden and garage area.

With the conclusion of the current phase of restoration, the Preservation Trust will have restored the private spaces of the home, including the servants’ quarters and the third floor bedroom and bath; returned built-ins to the dining room; and restored the second floor guest bedroom, kitchen and butler’s pantry.

Visit the Robie House Restoration Project home page for current updates.

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What remains to be done?
While the exterior restoration has been completed, a significant amount of work remains to fully restore the Robie House to its historic 1910 appearance. The two major projects that remain are completion of interior restoration and exterior hardscaping as well as landscaping.

Interior restoration is nearly completed in the servants’ wing, kitchen and dining room as well as the guest bedroom, guest bathroom, central stair hallway, third floor bedrooms and bathroom. Rooms remaining to be restored include the living room, upper entry hall, ground floor entry hall, powder room, coat closet, playroom and billiard room. Interior restoration includes recreating interior finishes and paint colors; conserving historic plaster and custom-matching missing plaster; conserving the original wood floors; and conserving 118 artglass windows and sashes. The restoration of missing building elements entails custom fabrication of 70 brass light fixtures; reconstruction of built-in cabinets and buffets; replacement of missing hardware; fabrication of bathroom fixtures and installation of period pieces such as telephones, a stove and kitchen sink. Five custom-made carpets also need to be recreated.

Hardscaping of the site includes installation of drainage and site lighting, conservation of limestone, plus installation of historically correct concrete and pavers at the home entry. Final landscaping will emphasize the relationship Wright created between the building and nature. Three large elm trees will be planted to recreate the appearance of the site in 1910, and the built-in flower boxes will be planted to recreate the appearance of the exterior as portrayed in the famous Wasmuth Portfolio plate of 1910.

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At present, in what stage is the restoration project?
Exterior restoration of the Robie House was completed in July 2003. Major restoration work has been completed in the dining room, pantry, servants’ wing and kitchen. Work is well underway on the guest bedroom and bathroom, third floor bedrooms and bathrooms, and the central stair hall.

The Robie House Centennial Campaign continues through its leadership phase. Restoration progresses as funds become available

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How can I help restore the Robie House?

The countdown to the Robie House centennial has begun and we want everyone to be a part of this exciting moment in architecture. We have launched the final phase of the Centennial Campaign, which will raise $5 million to complete the interior restoration of this masterpiece of modern residential architecture.

If you would like to volunteer for the Centennial Campaign or make a philanthropic investment in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, please contact Mark D. Warner, vice president of development at 708.725.3808 or mwarner@gowright.org.

You can also help make the Preservation Trust’s mission come alive everyday by joining us as a member. Our members play an essential role by underwriting engaging programs that enrich our knowledge of architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright and celebrate his magnificent legacy.

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