art & architecture: Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright - Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright's First Los Angeles Project

Recently I accompanied my wife, Suzanne Muusers, to a coaching conference in Long Beach, CA. I found myself with time on my hands during the day, and, as anyone who appreciates the Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, planned an excursion to see as many of his LA projects as possible. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that both the Ennis and Freeman homes were closed to the public - possibly permanently. I assuaged my disappointment with a visit to Hollyhock House.

Aline Barnsdall commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design Hollyhock House. It was Wright’s first Los Angeles project, built between 1919 and 1923. Wright’s approach was to design and build a home with consideration to the environment. Thus, the design incorporates a central courtyard, generous access to the outdoors, roof top terraces, and a proposed (but never completed) water system which would allow for circulation of water between a man-made lake, two outdoor ponds, and an indoor mote in front of the fireplace.

The home was to be part of a larger complex which would have served as an artists colony. Though the main house and two guests homes were built, the project was abandoned before completion of the entire complex and Aline lived there with her young daughter for only a few years. Part of Wright’s genius was his amazing attention to detail. As with all of his projects, every square inch appears to have been given consideration. Though aesthetically impressive, this detail-oriented approach most likely contributed to the project going over budget. Also contributing to the cancellation was Wright’s lack of attention as he spent most of his time on the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. He left Hollyhock to Rudolph Schindler, and his son, Lloyd Wright.

In 1927, Aline Barnsdall gave Hollyhock House and eleven surrounding acres to the city of Los Angeles for use as a public art park in memory of her father, Theodore Barnsdall.

(As always, please click on images to enlarge.)

Aline requested that the design of the home incorporate her favorite flower, the Hollyhock. Wright produced a geometric graphical representation of the flower, as seen here on this monolith near the front entrance. Wright, of course, was as famous for his graphic imagery as he was for his architecture. Part of his genius was his ability to apply artful aesthetics to every aspect of life.

The front doors are believed to have been designed by Mr. Schindler. They are quite amazing both in beauty and function. Made of concrete, they are understandably quite heavy. The pivot system allows for a surprising ease of use. So much so that one can no longer use them to enter or exit, as most visitors assumed a great deal of effort must be necessary. This repeated unnecessary force caused damage to the doors upon impact with the interior walls.

Evidence of Wright's attention to detail is exibited by the lamp posts around the exterior. Close examination allows one the ability to decifer the use of commonplace fabrication techniques to achieve uncommonly artistic results.

The interior courtyard was accessed from three sides. This became the heart of the home, even though a trademark, magnificent fireplace resided within. All stairways were marked with the signature Hollyhock symbol set in concrete pillars.

The fourth side of the courtyard is defined using an elevated hallway connecting the master and daughter's bedroom's on one side to the guest room on the other. Note the circular pond in a theater-like setting. It was to be part of the water circulation system.