Fallingwater is an iconic masterpiece of modern architecture by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Originally built as a private residence, this iconic building is now a renowned tourist attraction in rural Pennsylvania. Described as "a living work of art," Fallingwater is set against a stunning backdrop of woods and mountains and is one of the most recognizable examples of Art Deco house designs. Constructed from native stone and reinforced concrete, Fallingwater achieves Wright's aim of creating a sense of unity with its natural environment, being perfectly blended into its natural setting. The focal point of the design is the three-level cantilevered structure that juts out over an Appalachian waterfall. This incredible feat of engineering is Wright's unconventional interpretation of a bridge, with the house itself forming part of the landscape. The internal layout is designed to reflect the tiers of the waterfall, while a staircase works around the natural rock formations. The furnishings of Fallingwater are also characteristic of Wright's approach to design, featuring his famous "textile block" technique. This technique, developed in 1915, involves covering fireproof concrete blocks with fabrics made from hemp, burlap, and seashells. As part of the property, Wright also added several smaller buildings for family and guests, such as a cabana, a tea house, a guest cottage, and a gardener's cottage.Fallingwater (1935) House Designs
Another one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous Art Deco house designs is the Robie House in Chicago. This privately-owned house has become a well-known example of the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as an influential blueprint for modernist architecture. Constructed between 1909 and 1910, the Robie House is an acclaimed example of Wright's signature Prairie style, characterized by a two-story building with a low-pitched roof, large overhanging eaves, and strong horizontal lines. The most remarkable feature of the Robie House is its tactile quality, which is achieved through the use of striking materials, including stucco, Roman brick, wood, and glass, and intricate detailing on the interior walls, dedication to natural organic forms, and construction techniques, such as cantilevers. The floor plan is also a great example of Wright's organic approach, with the dining room centered around a central fireplace and the exterior walls drawing in large amounts of natural light. According to Wright himself, "With its terraces and uniting of indoor and outdoor space, the design effectively brought the gardens, trees, and nature inside the home."Robie House (1909) House Designs
Located in Los Angeles, California, the Ennis House is another remarkable Art Deco house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Constructed from reinforced concrete, glazed earthenware, and a stucco mixture, the house is renowned for its intricate Mayan Revival-style detailing – a huge contrast to Wright's usual style. The design of Ennis House is characterized by massive terraces and balconies, pierced block walls, and oversized patterned tiles. It is these features, unique to Art Deco, which give the house its distinctive character and provide a fantastic backdrop for entertaining. In terms of the interior, the house features six abundant bedrooms, a sitting room, a large living room with a fireplace, and a ballroom. Most impressive of all, however, is the grand terrace which overlooks Los Angeles. This space provides spectacular views of the city skyline and Hollywood Hills.Ennis House (1924) House Designs
The Hollyhock House was another of Frank Lloyd Wright's Art Deco house designs. The house is located in Hollywood, California, and was built for the oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, who charged Wright with developing a design that would be reflective of the Hollywood lifestyle. The house is an example of Wright's Usonian style – a style characterized by its use of natural materials, its rectilinear forms, and the emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. The house is composed of several distinct blocks that are arranged around a central courtyard, with elements such as terraces, balconies, and corners creating an intricate and interesting pattern. Interior features such as Pasadena paneling, hand-made craftsman furniture, and built-in storage were all used to create an atmosphere of comfort and luxury, as well as to emphasize the "living-in-nature" concept of the Usonian style.Hollyhock House (1921) House Designs
Built in 1911, the Cooper Robertson House is one of the oldest Art Deco house designs in the United States. Situated in the city of Santa Barbara, California, the house was designed and built by renowned British-American architect Phillip H. Cooper. Constructed with a Spanish-style two-story white stuccoed façade and red tile roof, the house is an impressive example of the Spanish Eclecticism movement. Inside, the house boasts a range of impressive features, including a large living room with a two-story ceiling, custom built-in furniture, and a loggia with an open-air fireplace. The exterior also features several unique elements, such as terraces, balconies, and a tiled pool. It is these distinctive features, along with the house's Spanish Revival-style details, which turn this historic structure into a true work of art.Cooper Robertson House (1911) House Designs
The Cooper and Dana House, located in the city of Los Angeles, is another outstanding example of Art Deco house designs. Built in 1908, the house was designed by the renowned American architects Elmer Grey and Myron Hunt for investment banker William Cooper and his wife, Clara Dana.
This two-story white stucco residence was inspired by the 1901 Italian grand villa of architect Ernest Wagner in San Remo, Italy, and features a classic combination of period elements, such as decorative stone balustrades, tiled terraces, and curved balconies. Inside, the bedrooms and bathrooms are filled with exquisitely detailed mosaics, while the large entrance hall benefits from a traditional wood-burning fireplace. Other distinctive features of the Cooper and Dana House include its chateau-style windows, spindle-balconied French doors, and its gracefully curved balustrade stairs.Cooper and Dana House (1908) House Designs
The Grand Red Loggia + Square House is an impeccable Art Deco house located in the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Built in 1909, the house was designed by the renowned architect Charles Sumner Greene and his wife, Mary Elizabeth Lathrop. Constructed with a three-story stucco façade and century-old redwood, the house serves as a perfect example of the California Craftsman style. Inside, the first and second floor features five bedrooms, a grand living room, and an expansive kitchen area with an open fire. What makes the layout of this particular house unique, however, is its two-story circular porch at the back, which serves as the perfect place to entertain guests. From the porch, people can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains and the Monterey Bay. The Grand Red Loggia + Square House is one of several Greene and Greene Influence houses built in the popular city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and is a true testament to the talent of the two architects. Through the use of multiple Art Deco designs, they were able to create a timeless structure that is still admired to this day.Grand Red Loggia + Square House (1909) House Designs
New York City's famous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is one of the most iconic Art Deco house designs in the world. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum was built between 1959 and 1960 on the outskirts of Fifth Avenue in New York City. With its distinctive spiraling shape and gleaming white exterior, it has become a recognizable symbol of the city and is one of the most important examples of modernist architecture in the world. Inside, the museum features a unique interior design – its walls are left partly open to let in natural light, while its central atrium provides views of the displays across all five floors. In addition to its incredible design, the museum houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the world, ranging from paintings and sculptures to photography and installations. As well as being a venue for international art, Guggenheim Museum is also an architectural wonder in its own right, making it one of the most iconic Art Deco house designs of all time.Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (1959) House Designs
The Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is another of Frank Lloyd Wright's masterful Art Deco designs. Built in 1956, the house is Wright's first high-rise and stands as an impressive example of the International style of architecture. Constructed from reinforced concrete, glass, and copper, the building serves both as a commercial office building and public museum. The most distinctive feature of the Price Tower is its elegant vertical cantilevers, nine stories of compressed concrete tubing arranged in a distinctive cruciform plan. The building's exterior is clad in copper and its windows are intricately detailed. Inside, the building features a grand lobby, a nine-story atrium, and a garden courtyard, while its surrounding grounds boast a range of amenities such as an outdoor pool, a theater, and a sculpture park. The Price Tower is an impressive example of Art Deco design and is one of the few remaining examples of Wright's work still standing today.Price Tower (1956) House Designs
The Farnsworth House in Plano, Illinois, is another of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic Art Deco designs. Built in 1951, the house was the architect's first design with glass as the primary material, and has since gained cult status for its perfect balance of design and function. The main house is comprised of eight glass-paneled walls – three of which are complete walls made from single panes of glass. While the walls are made mostly of glass, a number of steel elements are used throughout the design in order to create a sense of strength and stability – these details include twelve steel columns around the perimeter of the house, as well as steel columns that hold up the roof. Inside, the house features a simple layout with wide-open living spaces filled with natural light. The Farnsworth House has been praised for its simple yet stunning design, and is a great example of the way in which Wright was able to use modern materials to create timeless designs.Farnsworth House (1951) House Designs
The Marin County Civic Center is an iconic Art Deco house built in 1962 by one of the most celebrated architects in history, Frank Lloyd Wright. Located in San Rafael, California, the building is a tribute to Wright's passion for innovation and use of materials, and remains an iconic example of American modernist architecture. The center was designed to create a sense of harmony between the surrounding environment and the building itself – the building's clean lines, and the use of warm colors, glass, and wood, serve to integrate the building within its natural habitat. Inside, the center is like a work of art, featuring a curved, gold-hued, concrete ceiling, and a series of arched panels. The Marin County Civic Center is a remarkable example of Wright's attention to detail and his emphasis on form and function. The building is an icon of the Funk Art movement in America and continues to attract visitors from all over the world.Marin County Civic Center (1962) House Designs