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Unity Temple Frank Lloyd Wright 1905-1908 This gem is what some would argue is Wright's best public work. Commissioned by the Oak Park Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Wright convinced the client to abolish ideals of the little white New England steeple as proper form for a church. Instead of imitation, he proposed a building that would emphasize the presence of God in the gathering of people. The result is a sacred space with introspective central rooms protected by solid walls, all at once intimate and monumental, solitary and communal, human and spiritual. The Unity Temple is constructed out of reinforced concrete due both to budget restrictions and Wright's eagerness to experiment with new materials. It was one of the first buildings to do so in North America; Wright used exposed concrete externally to define mass and volume, and internally as floating planes to define spaces. This complex dialogue between inside and outside for Wright was central to his architectural theories of the interior unfolding truthfully outward and expressed itself in materials, form and experience.
Wright also wielded his virtuosity with light and dark, compression and release, and play with geometry to give meaning to humble human acts. For example, there are multiple dark entries into the temple to allow the solitary, perhaps tardy, worshipper to enter without being noticed. The dark entrances then ushers the worshipper into a jewel-box space, lit from above and facing others in the parish in a democratic, communal box. The geometries that pervade the building are repeated throughout and unified at the altar, highlighting its importance. 2003 (updated 2004) |
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How to visit The Unitarian Universalist Congregation still owns the building and holds services, classes and social functions in the century-old auditorium, parish house and entrance hall. A concert series also highlights local musicians and celebrates the space as a music box. The building is open for tours with a nominal fee that is used for restoration costs. The building is open daily. For
detailed information please visit the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation
at www.unitytemple-utrf.org,
call Tours are self-led but you can arrange with the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation for guided tours and classes. Make sure to allow time to visit the surrounding Wright buildings; in particular take care to buy tickets for the Home and Studio tour before heading out to the temple as tickets usually sell out. By public transit: Take the Green Line "El" to Oak Park Avenue. Walk under the viaduct, north one block to Lake Street, and west one block to Unity Temple. By Car: From Chicago, take Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) west to Harlem Ave. and exit north (right). Go one mile (1.6K) to Lake St. Go east (right) about .5 mile (.8K) to Kenilworth Ave. and Unity Temple. We found plenty of meter parking. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation provides information to the congregation and activities held within at www.unitytemple.org. Oak Park Visitors Bureau has information about the vibrant community surrounding the Temple, including dining and recreation details, at www.visitoakpark.com.
Books and other web sites Click the book titles to view and to order
direct from |
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Unity
Temple: Frank Lloyd Wright The
paperback explores the details of Wright’s building with illustrations,
photographs and extensive captions. |
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Unity
Temple: Frank Lloyd Wright and Architecture for Liberal Religion Joseph M. Siry The book discusses the design and construction of Unity Temple along with religious and architectural interpretation of the final work. |
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Understanding Frank
Lloyd Wright's Architecture Donald Hoffmann A highly readable, generalist account of the influences, development and innovations of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture, well illustrated. |
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Wright Sites : A Guide
to Frank Lloyd Wright Public Places Arlene Sanderson (editor) A practical visitors' guide to thirty six publicly accessible Frank Lloyd Wright sites, with a straightforward one or two page description of each, with black and white photographs. |
www.geocities.com/SoHo/1469 provides both its own Frank Lloyd Wright content and a set of links to other Frank Lloyd Wright sites on the web. All links outside galinsky will open in a new window. Close it when you've finished, or use the Window menu on your browser, to return to galinsky. |
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