Unitarian Meeting House

Arrogant, artificial, brazen, cruel, recklessly extravagant, a publicity seeker, an exhibitionist, egotist, sensationalist, impatient, unscrupulous, untrustworthy, erratic and capricious  

- opinion of one of the First Unitarian Society members against FLW, also a member, designing their meeting house

In the end, of course, the Society did select Wright, and he went on to design perhaps one of the most distinctive houses of worship in the world.  Constructed in the latter years of his career, the structure became one of his favorites of all the many projects he led.

Perched atop a hill, like the wings of a bird protecting her flock.

FLW called the apex of the roofline the prow, as of a ship, and some shipbuilding techniques were even used to create the supports of the roof.  If you imagine a sailing vessel turned upside down, perhaps you can visualize how the roofline resembles the hull of a boat.

The interior of the Meeting House is an amazing display of FLW techniques.

Meeting House interior

Notice the use of all the triangular shapes throughout.  Even the diamond shapes in the Cherokee Red floors are two triangles placed end-to-end.  The sloped and curved ceiling is a clear departure from the more rectangular shapes of traditional houses of worship.  

Signature stone placed on the exterior of the Meeting House to designate it was one of FLW’s favorite structures. 

Next we’re on to Spring Green and FLW’s masterful Taliesan.