Martin's brother William E. Martin lived in Oak Park, Illinois, where Wright himself still lived. William recommended Wright in a letter from 1902 with the kind permission of the University of Buffalo Archives: “He is neither a fraud nor a” crank ” [he’s] Highly formed and polished, an uncomplicated business -like man with high ideals. “Later in the same letter, he said:” He would actually be happy to design your house – and he is the man who builds her office. “
William's idea that Wright was the man for both jobs was proven to be correct. Wright was commissioned to design the complex for the Martin family and the Larkin management building completed in 1906. The administration building was Wright's first office building design. Unfortunately, it was demolished in 1950, although remains in the 664 Swan Street, about a ten -minute drive from Martin House, remain.
Architectural details of the Martin House
The property stands on the Parkway Jewett opposite Darwin Martin House and at first glance looks like another of Wright's famous design, the Robie House in Chicago. The location of the front door is not easy to recognize and the building is built like the house in the Hyde Park of Windy City made of Roman brick creature made of Roman brick. As soon as you step on the property and take a look at its many other structures, it is clear that the Martin House complex is in its own league. Between six Wright-designed structures are almost 30,000 square foot in the complex.
These six -style structures are the George Barton House, the gardener house, the main house, the conservatory, the Pergola and the carriage house (in which the museum business is now located). On the west side of the property is the visitor center, which called Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion, the only building on the property designed by Wright. Instead, it was designed by Toshiko Mori and opened in 2009.