Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright
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Wright Studies
Joseph and Helen Husser Residence, Chicago (
Introduction John Marshall Williams Floor Plan Architectural Rev Husser Residence Circa 1900 Architectural Record, March 1908 Reconstruction of East Elevation Wasmuth Plate IV (1910) Frank Lloyd Wright, Leaded Glass Windows and Doors Light Fixtures Concrete Vases Related Items Corrections Books & Articles
Introduction
In Frank Lloyd Wright's An Autobiography, he described the Husser home as "characterized to a certain extent by the Sullivanian idiom, at least in detail" (p.127). Wright designed the Husser home five years after the Winslow Residence (1894), three years after the Heller Residence (1896) and two years after the Furbeck Residence (1897). It was his last commission utilizing Louis Sullivan's exterior ornamentations as he moved toward and perfected his prairie styled homes. According to their wedding announcement dated March 22, 1894, Joseph J. Husser moved from Zurich, Switzerland to America for religious reasons. "He was forced to leave home because he changed from the Catholic to the Protestant faith. He will teach Christian Science here." The announcement in the paper read "Married Her Father's Butler." Although Joseph married into one of the wealthiest families in Chicago after working as a butler for nearly a year, the announcement continued, "He comes of a highly connected family and speaks five languages fluently." It seems that Helen Husser was the driving force behind hiring Wright to design their home. It is not conclusive, but it begs the question, was the home a gift from John Marshall to his daughter? Wright placed an announcement in the July 2, 1899 issue of The Economist. "F. L. Wright has designed for Helen W. Husser a two-story residence to be built at 178 to 182 Buena Avenue. It will extend over an area of 73x 28 feet, and the cost is given at $18,000. In the June 1900 issue of "The Architectural Review", Plate XXXVII was entitled "House for Mrs. Helen W. Husser", but within that same plate, part of the text reads "Dwelling for Mr. Joseph W. Husser, Buena Av, Lake View Suburban Lot...". The March 1908 issue of "The Architectural Record" also entitles a photograph "Mrs. Helen W. Husser, Buena Park, Chicago". This bears a look at Helen's father and Joseph's employer and father-in-law, John Marshall Williams.
Chicago, the youngest of se was born in 1860, she woul married Joseph in 1894. Sh member of the Christian Sc Contacting Wright in 18 into their new home halfway article in The Architectural R innovation not yet in place i mosaic for one of the Husse the home was built, lacking When her father past a March 24, 1901, indicated t dollar estate was divided be deceased children's childre close to $300,000, a small f dollars). According to of pride to Wright. On Charl 1900, he wrote "...his Husse showing me every detail wit beautiful and most individua America". By 1910 when Wright p Bauten, he choose to only i on Plate IV. In 1911, when h Ausgefhrte Bauten Residence, but that same y Lloyd Wright, Chicago Not much can be found home. They sold the home originally built, it was locate shores of lake Michigan. La
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Joseph J. Husser, most likely born in Switzerland, moved from Zurich to America during the early 1890s. He came from a highly connected family, most likely well educated, and was fluent in five languages. As indicated in his wedding announcement, he became a butler for the John M. Williams household in April 1893. A butler at the turn-of-the-century managed the household and would be considered a personal assistant today. He married Helen Williams in March, 1894. By 1897 the Lakeside Directory of Chicago listed Joseph as an executive for his father-in-law's real estate firm located at 140 Dearborn. He was very involved with the Christian Science movement, and in 1901, the Lakeside Directory mentions his involvement and lists the same address. After John Williams past away, he maintained offices in the same building. In 1906 the "Directory of Directors" for the City of Chicago listed Husser as a director of the Park Manufacturing Co. located on Jackson Blvd. As a director he maintained his office at 140 Dearborn. Helen Williams' parents were married in 1850. According to census records she may have been born around 1860 in
turn of the century. The exte of Lake Shore Drive, eventu Lake Michigan, which once now obscured. Today, the a obscuring any view of lake M Residence once stood. A building permit was is was demolished. The Dining photographs are all that sur The 1930 census recor lived in Los Angeles. Like m owned two homes at the be Chicago home in 1923. In 1 as the First Vice President o Whether the same, this cou 1915-1920s. February 2012
John Marshall Williams (1921- 1901)

John Marshall Williams was born on December 6, 1821 in Alorrisville, NY. His early life was spent in Morrisville, N.Y., where as a young man he became successful in the map business traveling throughout the East, South and Midwest. But he had a desire to move West. At the invitation of his brother, he traveled to Chicago in the Spring of 1848, where he opened a lumber yard, purchasing timber in Michigan. Due to illness, he sold his business and headed west to mine. He struck gold, but the work was hard. He invested in capitol in food and goods, and supplied the camps in California. Upon hearing of his father's death, headed back to New York, and on July 17, 1850 married Elizabeth C. Smith. They moved back and settled in Chicago. He became a successful business man in lumber, groceries, commodity trading and hardware. He invested in property, was a major stockholder in the First National Bank of Chicago, and a founder of the Elgin Watch Company. He invested in lumber lands in Michigan, and as his lumber land became cleared, rich iron deposits were discovered, and he proceeded to develop the valuable mines in Michigan. Personally he was very active in his local church, and supported religious and mission work in Chicago. His estate was valued at two million dollars at his death. John Williams past away at his home near Mountain View, CA on March 9, 1901 at the age of 79.
Floor Plan
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Floor plan for the First level. Above the Stable to the left (North) is the Hay side) and the Man's Room or Servants Room on the east side. Just to th two Servants rooms and a Porch. Next is the Kitchen area which includes Pantry and an alcove which served as a smaller informal Breakfast Dining to the right of the Kitchen area is the Dining Room that faced East and a faced West. Much like the windows in Wright's Oak Park Dining Room, th allowed light, but did not offer expansive views of the lake. Wright choos keep the it a more intimate setting. To the right was the Stair Bay (West Entrance to the home was on the lower level of the Stair Bay, which lea Lower Hall. Double stairways gave access to the main level and lead to a Hall or "foyer" situated between the Dining and Living Rooms. The Livin offered expansive views of Lake Michigan. The Covered Porch is on the Courtesy of Henry-Russell Hitchcock, 1942.
The Architectural Review - June 1901

During the final stages of the completion of the Husser Residence, Robert C. Spencer, Jr. describes the home in the June 1900 issue of The Architectural Review. "Among the house plans those for Mr. Husser and Mrs. Devin (project) are interesting examples of the ground-floor treated as a basement. The limitations of narrow lots have been offset by ingenious planning for light and view, as well as for a dignified route from street to reception hall. In both these houses the interior composition is unusually broad and finished with plenty of the third dimension.
vine trunks and a weeping pr pendent blossoms upon a gro above a suggested horizon. T with great skill to delineate da and crackled gold. The spray and pearly glass which fall in tangle of leaves above. Mr. W artist, and Mr. Giannini as cra enamels, have co-operated to
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Here, as in all his work, no thin and papery partitions are in evidence, yet effects of mass and depth are not forced unduly in the interest of the characteristic, plastic treatment, and there are no hollow wall spaces which are not organized in plan to practical purpose... The ornament should be of the surface, not on the surface and there should be no tangible background at all. That is the spirit in which the rich frieze decorations of the Winslow, Heller and Husser houses are designed... "A very recent innovation not yet in place is the facing of gold enamel and glass mosaic for one of the Husser fireplaces. Quietly framed within broad bands of Caen stone, the combination of gold in fusion with color on porcelain have been made to delineate
executed here above and bey succeeded. No monochrome beauty of this facing in its spl which the public has fortunate of the Architectural Club. This whose interior walls are of a d toned and unvarnished wood that mark the beginning of a and beautiful materials for do issue included two detailed p Residence, an illustration of t below.
Published in the June 1900 issue of The Architectural Review, page 66. Left and right: Detail of the frieze of the Husser house (these two images were published upside down, shown here right side up).
Below: Illustration of the fireplace and gold mosaic mantel for the Husser house. Of note is the Copper Urn and Candlestick. He included them in a number of drawings and projects he worked on. The Urn was included in the Edward C. Waller house, Wright's own Home and Studio, the Dana house, the Coonley house, Browne's Bookstore and appeared in an early image of Unity Temple.
Husser Residence Fireplace. "A very recent innovation not yet in place is t gold enamel and glass mosaic for one of the Husser fireplaces. Quietly fra broad bands of Caen stone, the combination of gold in fusion with color o have been made to delineate vine trunks and a weeping profusion of wis
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and pendent blossoms upon a ground dull gold below and bright gold suggested horizon. The white joints have been employed with great skill t dainty stems and leaves of softer green and crackled gold. The sprays of b inlays of rosy white and pearly glass which fall in the airiest, sweetest fash tangle of leaves above. Mr. Wright as architect, Miss Ostertag as artist Giannini as craftsman and burner of remarkable enamels, nave co-opera what may be conceived and executed here above and beyond precedent. more than succeeded. No monochrome can even suggest the exquisite be facing in its splendent play of iridescent color, of which the public has fortu view at the recent exhibition of the Architectural Club." Published in "The A Review", June 1900. Continued...
Title: Plate XXXVII - House for Mrs. Helen W. Husser, Buena Ave., Lak Mr. Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect.
Inscription Center Right: "Dwelling for Mr. Joseph W. Husser, Buena Av Suburban Lot. One Hundred and Thirty by One Hundred Feet. Broadsid Michigan. Frank Lloyd Wright Architect, 1899... Continued...
Additional details...
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Wright cropped the illustration and rearranged the text blocks.
Poster published in 1998. Husser House (Published by Pomegran Communications, Inc., Rohnert Park, CA) Frank Lloyd Wright: Joseph Hu Chicago, Illinois, 1899 (demolished c. 1923-1924). Perspective and eleva ink wash on paper 21 x 37 in.
Husser Residence Circa 1900
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Viewed from the Southwest. Circa 1900, nearing completion of construc Driveway leads through the Porte Cochere in the lower level of the St (foreground) to the Stable on the far left side out of the picture. (Concrete v from opening in the Porte Cochere.) The Breakfast Dining Room bay can the left of the first level. Just to the right behind the Star Bay is the Study. T to the home is through the lower level of the Stair Bay. The Bedrooms are the Second (top) level. Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Archiv
The Architectural Record - March 1908
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Husser Residence Circa 1902. Caption: "Mrs. Helen W. Husser, Buen Chicago". Published in "The Architectural Record", March 1908. Wright p total of sixteen articles entitled "In The Cause of Architecture" in The Arc Record from 1908 though 1928. This first article dated March 1908, incl photograph of the Husser home. Although published in 1908, this photog probably taken closer to 1902. The home directly behind the Husser hom built, but the ivy that was visible in 1910 is not.
Study of William Gray Purcell Photographs (190

William Gray Purcell (1880 - 1965) was born and raised in Oak Park. He attended Cornell University and in 1903 apprenticed with Louis Sullivan. In 1907 he formed a Architectural partnership with George Feick in Minneapolis. Two years later George Grant Elmslie joined the firm. Although never working for Wright, he followed in Wright's foot steps designing Prairie styled homes. According to the Archives, Purcell visited and photographed the Husser Residence in 1908.
According to who noted "Went through lo by that time". The Northwest Architec Minnesota houses the Willia the collection are five photo may be the only surviving re three exterior photographs..
Photographs courtesy of the William Gray Purcell Papers, Correspondence file: Frank Lloyd Wright, Northwest Archi Libraries, Minneapolis, MN.
Reconstruction of the East Elevation

With the discovery of Purcell image three, viewed from the Southeast, we undertook the task of reconstructing drawings of the East side and elevation of the Husser Residence. Information of the east side is very limited. The Floor Plan for the Lower Level is incomplete. Records are available for the First Level, but not the second. The North end of the East side is also incomplete. Image three is out of focus and lacks clarity, but offers an invaluable record of the East side of the Husser residence.
Lower level: basement, although it was a floor (middle level) a better v Level housed the utilities, he rooms, children's playroom Playroom was mostly locate of the Dining Room Bay is th Hall. Double stairways gave Continued...
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Photograph (left) courtesy of the William Gray Purcell Papers, Correspondence file: Frank Lloyd Wright, Northwest Arc Libraries, Minneapolis, MN.
Wasmuth Plate IV, 1910

In 1910 Frank Lloyd Wright produced the "Ausgefhrte Bauten und Entwrfe von Frank Lloyd Wright" (S.87), published by Ernst Wasmuth, in Berlin. Each set consisted of two portfolios with a combined total of one hundred separate plates (sheets). Printed in German. The complete set consisted of 72 plates numbered I through LXIV and included eight with a or b. 28 were tissue overlays and were attached to the corresponding plates. Each set also included a 31 page introduction, consisting of unbound
sheets, folded once. Plate IV Perspective and Isadore Heller, Woodlawn Av Buena Park, Chicago. A detail of the Husser D covered Entrance Pergola co Plate IV. This is actually a re was originally published in T
Plate IV Perspective and ground plan of a city dwelling for Isadore Heller Avenue. Details of Husser house, Buena Park, Chicago. 15.75 x 2
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Detail of the second level of the Dining Room Bay (East side). Note W placement of the vase and cloth tapestry draped from open window. This reprint of a detail in Plate XXXVII that was originally published in The Ar Review, June 1900.
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Detail of the covered Entrance Pergola column. Three appeared on either actually a reprint of a detail in Plate XXXVII that was originally publishe Architectural Review, June 1900.
Frank Lloyd Wright, Ausgefuhrte Bauten, 1911

A year after Frank Lloyd Wright produced the "Ausgefhrte Bauten und Entwrfe von Frank Lloyd Wright" (S.87), he produced "Frank Lloyd Wright, Ausgefhrte Bauten" (Executed Buildings).
All in German, it was publish 1911. Wright included three p
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1) Viewed from the Southwest. Circa 1900. The Stable (lower level) is on Just to the right of the Stable on the first level are the Servants Quarters a Kitchen. The Dining Room (East side), Stair Bay (West side) and Entrance are in the center. The Living Room is on the right, and Covered Porch on The covered Entrance Pergola to the right of the Entrance is in the foregro lower level. Bedrooms are located on the Second (top) level.
2) Viewed from the West. Circa 1900. The Stable (lower level) is on the fa the right of the Stable on the first level are the Servants Quarters and then The Dining Room (East side), Stair Bay (West side) and Entrance (West the center. The Living Room is on the right, and Covered Porch on the
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Bedrooms are located on the Second (top) level. Lake Michigan can be s background on the far right.
3) South Elevation. Circa 1910. Lower level: On the far left is the Drivewa street, the Drive leads to the Porte Cochere (blocked from view) which designed into the lower level of the Stair Bay. The Driveway leads throug level of the Stair Bay to the Stable. Just to the right of the Drive is the Entrance Pergola. Both the Drive and the Entrance Pergola lead to the En the Lower Hall. First level: The Covered Porch is seen in the foreground in the center. It le Living Room on the First Level. First and Second Level: The Stair Bay (West side) can be seen on the le section of the house is seen in the center behind the Covered Porch, and Room (East side), can be seen on the right. Bedrooms are located on the S level.
Leaded Glass
In June 1900, when Plate XXXVII was published in The Architectural Review, construction of the Husser Residence was nearly completed. Photographic records give us scant views of any
leaded glass windows. Plate The windows of the main lev second level (top floor) were
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Leaded Glass Windows and Doors

Very few examples exist, and those that do, give us a scant view of the leaded glass windows and cabinet doors of the Husser Resident. In June 1900, when Plate XXXVII was published in The Architectural Review, construction of the Husser Residence was
nearly completed. Plate XXX upper and lower cabinet doo Purcell's two interior vie cabinet doors and a Dining
Leaded Glass Light Fixtures

Because only two interior photographs exist, few examples of leaded glass light fixtures. But the one leaded glass example is very exquisite and complex. The same fixture is used two different ways. Two are seen on either side of the Dining Room Sideboard. The leaded glass light fixture are placed atop a pedestal. The other is on the opposite side of the Dining Room at the entrance to
the Dining Room Bay. Eithe leaded glass light fixture. Th two shades of the Sideboard The two Purcell photog Purcell Papers, Northwest A Minnesota Libraries, Minnea
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Concrete Vases
Large concrete vases were a signature design element of many of Wright's Prairie homes. Wright incorporated five large concrete vases visible in Plate XXXVII of the Husser Residence, published in the June 1900 issue of The Architectural Review. One was
placed in the West opening o placed in the covered Entranc North end and two on either s Continued...
Dining Room Table & Chairs

To date, only one Dining Room table and eight chairs have survived the destruction of the Husser residence. According to Irma Strauss, in the Frank Lloyd Wright Newsletter, First Quarter 1979, the Husser dining room table and eight chairs were rediscover after 55 years of use in a private Chicago home. "The mother of the present owner of the beautiful, almost square, oak dining room
table and eight elegant, high the ensemble in 1923 from M a second-hand furniture shop the shop were a piano which room tables and 24 matching reported, were from a Frank L
ITEMS RELATED TO THE HUSSER RESIDENCE
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Correction
"Frank Lloyd Wright: Drawings for a Living Architecture", 1959,
miss identifies three drawings as being for the Husser Residence.
These are incorrectly identifie Residence (1896 - S.038).
Text and illustrations Copyright Douglas M. Steiner unless otherwise
Related Books and Articles
"In the Cause of Architecture", Wright, Architectural Record, Marc "Ausgefhrte Bauten und Entwrfe von Frank Lloyd Wright" Wasmuth, 1910, Detail of th "Frank Lloyd Wright, Ausgefhrte Bauten", Wright, 1911, pages "An Autobiography", Wright, 1945 (London), Plate 2. "Frank Lloyd Wright to 1910", Manson, 1958, Pages vi, 68, 76-78 "In the Cause of Architecture", 1975, Wright, pages 53-119 "Frank Lloyd Wright: Preserving an Architectural Heritage, Dominos Collect" "The Leaning Power of Pizza", Forbes Personal Affairs, 1989, Matthews, Pp "Frank Lloyd Wright In His Renderings 1887 -1959", Text: Pfeiffer, Bru Edited and Photographed: Futagawa, Yukio, 1990, Plate 11. "Frank Lloyd Wright Monograph 1887 -1901", Text: Pfeiffer, Bruce Edited and Photographed: Futagawa, Yukio, 1991, Pp viii, ix, 54, 86, 1 "The Frank Lloyd Wright Companion", Storrer, 1993, Page 4 "Important Works by Frank Lloyd Wright From Dominos Center", 1993, Christie "Frank Lloyd Wright: Architect", 1994, Riley, page 61, plates 32 "Frank Lloyd Wright Glass Art", Heinz, 1994, page 34. "Lost Wright" Lind, 1996, Pages 39, 52-53. "The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright", Levine, 1996, pages 2 "Frank Lloyd Wright: Cassina I Maestri", Cassina, 1997, pages 30-3 "Frank Lloyd Wright - Field Guide, Vol 2, MetroChicago", Heinz, 1997, p "Frank Lloyd Wright", McCarter, 1999, pages 39-41. "Frank Lloyd Wrights Stained Glass & Lightscreens", 2000, Heinz, p "The Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright", 2000, Heinz, pages 377, 3 "Wright inspired Stools" (Husser), Woodworkers Journal, June 2000, p "Frank Lloyd Wright: Year By Year", 2003, Thomson, page 78"On and By Frank Lloyd Wright, A Primer of Architectural Principles", McCarter, 2005, pages "Frank Lloyd Wright, Complete Works 1885-1916", Pfeiffer: Gossel, 2011, p
Additional Wright Studies
Banff National Park Pavilion (S.170) Bitter Root Inn (S.145) Blair Residence (S.351) Brandes Residence (S.350) Browne's Bookstore (S.141) Como Orchard Summer Colony (S.1
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Disappearing City (1932) Elam Residence (S.336) "Eve of St. Agnes" (1896) Frank L. Smith B Griggs Residence (S.290) Henderson Residence (S.057) Hoffman Showroom (S.380 "House Beautiful" 1896-98 Husser Residence (S.046) Imperial Hotel (S.194) Silverware and M Kalil Residence (S.387) Lake Geneva Hotel (S.171) Lamp Cottage, Rocky Roost (S.021) March Balloons Midway Gardens (S.180) Midway Gardens Dish (S.180) Opus 497 Roloson Rowhouse (S.026) Shavin Residence (S.339) Sixty Years Exhibition 1951-56 Stohr Arcade (S.162) Stromquiest Residence (S.429) Teater Studio (S.352) Thurber Art Galle Trier Residence (S.398) Usonian Automatic Homes Williams (Way & Williams) (S.033) Frank Lloyd Wright's First Published Article (1898)
Photographic Chronology of Frank Lloyd Wright Portraits
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Frank Lloyd Wright

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Frank Lloyd Wright

Joseph and Helen Husser Residence, Chicago (