Avery Coonley House
The Coonley House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1908 for industrialist Avery Coonley and his wife, is one of Wright's most significant residential projects. Located in Riverside, Illinois, the home reflects Wright's Prairie School architectural style, with its low-pitched rooflines, horizontal emphasis, and integration with the surrounding landscape. The Coonleys, who were progressive and artistic, gave Wright creative freedom, resulting in a unique and personalized design that included not only the house but also an adjoining Playhouse and distinctive decorative elements.
The Coonley Playhouse, built in 1912 as an addition to the estate, was designed as a space for educational activities for children. This smaller building became famous for its vibrant stained glass windows, which feature abstract patterns inspired by balloons, flags, and confetti. These playful designs reflect the joyful atmosphere of the Playhouse and are among Wright's most celebrated examples of his use of color and abstraction. The use of geometric shapes and bright colors demonstrated Wright's ability to infuse modernist design with a sense of fun and whimsy, making the Playhouse a standout in his portfolio of residential projects.
The Tulip design, featured in the Coonley House, is another example of Wright's integration of nature into his decorative work. The abstracted tulip motifs in the windows and other design elements blend geometric shapes with natural forms, aligning with Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture. The tulip windows showcase Wright’s skill in translating natural motifs into stylized, geometric forms, maintaining a balance between ornamentation and simplicity. These windows helped create a harmonious connection between the interior spaces of the home and the surrounding garden, reinforcing the overall organic feel of the house.
