Bradley House

Frank Lloyd Wright's Bradley House, built in 1900 in Kankakee, Illinois, is one of his earliest and most significant Prairie School designs. Commissioned by B. Harley Bradley, the house features a long, low profile with horizontal lines, overhanging eaves, and a strong connection to its natural surroundings, which became defining elements of Wright’s Prairie Style. The home’s interior includes open, interconnected spaces, a central fireplace, and custom-designed stained glass windows that showcase geometric patterns. The Bradley House is considered a key early example of Wright’s innovative approach to residential architecture, influencing many of his later works.

The structure’s basic plan is cruciform, with the living room and kitchen on one access and the dining room and reception on the other. The 90 art glass windows provide nearly panoramic views on both stories exemplify Wright’s desire to blur the separation of the interior and exterior. Since its construction, this large residential building has served as a home, office complex, and even an internationally acclaimed restaurant. Fully restored in 2005 with almost all original art glass windows intact, it was converted into a public museum in 2010.