Case Study:

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Suntop Homes

156 Sutton Rd., Ardmore, PA 19003

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Suntop Homes is a four-home building built in Ardmore, PA in 1939.

Suntop Homes is a four-home building built in Ardmore, PA in 1939.

It was the vision of two men: Otto Tod Mallery, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Mallery commissioned Wright around 1938 to design a multiunit suburban residential building that might solve two problems.

It was the vision of two men: Otto Tod Mallery, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Mallery commissioned Wright around 1938 to design a multiunit suburban residential building that might solve two problems.

Problem 1: The nation had plummeted into economic depression after the 1929 stock market crash and, as a result, Americans needed affordable homes.

Problem 1: The nation had plummeted into economic depression after the 1929 stock market crash and, as a result, Americans needed affordable homes.

Problem 2: What few options existed then for affordable homes compounded the problems of urban living such as overcrowding and economic exploitation.

Problem 2: What few options existed then for affordable homes compounded the problems of urban living such as overcrowding and economic exploitation.

So, Wright, who was fresh off his Broadacre project, set to the job of designing a multifamily Usonian home that would revolutionize how we imagine affordable suburban living.

So, Wright, who was fresh off his Broadacre project, set to the job of designing a multifamily Usonian home that would revolutionize how we imagine affordable suburban living.

As we begin to look at Wright's drawings, the first element to consider is the pinwheel orientation of the plan. Note too the difficulty of seeing all of the interior spaces simultaneously in the drawings.

As we begin to look at Wright's drawings, the first element to consider is the pinwheel orientation of the plan. Note too the difficulty of seeing all of the interior spaces simultaneously in the drawings.

Focusing on this interior elevation helps us see how the homes are carefully divided into use zones.

Focusing on this interior elevation helps us see how the homes are carefully divided into use zones.

Floor plans help also to see circulation and zoning. Note how the most dramatic features--the open living room, central kitchen, and expansive sun terrace--come at the expense of commodious bedrooms.

Floor plans help also to see circulation and zoning. Note how the most dramatic features--the open living room, central kitchen, and expansive sun terrace--come at the expense of commodious bedrooms.