What You Can Do
- Learn more about the efforts to stabilize and restore Unity Temple.
- Learn more about Modernism + the Recent Past.
11 Most Endangered
Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple
Year Listed: 2009
Location: Oak Park , Illinois
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Deterioration
Latest News
September 2, 2009: Unity Temple was awarded an $80K grant to help ugrade its visitor services. Read more.
Unity Temple
Unity Temple
Light pouring into the art glass windows in the sanctuary of Unity Temple.
Unity Temple
The art glass laylights in the sanctuary of Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple.
Unity Temple
Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple under construction, circa 1907.
Unity Temple
The interior of Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, facing the pulpit, choir loft and organ screen.
Significance
Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple, designed for a Unitarian congregation in Oak Park, Illinois, is widely acknowledged as an icon of 20th-century architecture. Dedicated in September 1909, the cubic, flat-roofed structure is also one of the earliest public buildings to feature exposed concrete, one of Wright's signature design elements. Reflecting on his career shortly before his death in 1959, Wright described the building, now a National Historic Landmark, as one of his greatest achievements, calling it "my contribution to modern architecture." While Unity Temple has been well maintained, water infiltration has caused extensive damage to the concrete structure and interior finishes over the years. Now structurally compromised, the building urgently requires a multi-million-dollar rescue effort, a capital investment that Unity Temple's community of dedicated supporters cannot afford.
The commission for Unity Temple came from Wright's own Unitarian congregation, and the architect responded with an experimental design that broke the rules for Western religious architecture with its deliberate omission of a central nave and iconic steeple, and use of innovative materials. The building's cubic four-level sanctuary and adjoining social hall feature monumental art glass skylights. When it was completed a century ago, architecture critics praised the design for its strong geometric massing, use of modern materials and intricate manipulation of space.
Unity Temple is the only surviving public structure from Wright's prolific Prairie period. Widely recognized as one of the world's most inspiring sacred spaces, it is also a popular tourism destination and serves as a space for performances, lectures, conferences, and community events.
Despite many repair attempts, the temple's concrete structure and interior finishes suffer from widespread damage. Since Wright's experimental concrete design did not call for expansion joints, there is extensive cracking. A coating of concrete applied in the early 1970s is no longer performing its vital, protective function and must be restored.
With its innovative and geometric design, the building has 16 separate flat roofs. Instead of using gutters, Wright designed an internal drainage system with downspouts hidden inside the four main interior columns of the temple. The system was undersized and essentially inaccessible, and to this day water continually overflows the drains and permeates the concrete roof slabs. Heavy rains in September 2008 caused a large chunk of plaster and concrete to fall from the sanctuary ceiling.
Updates
April 2009: Many of Unity Temple's art glass windows – there are more than 75 of them, in 10 different designs – are cracked, bowed and in need of professional conservation. In addition, much of the beautifully modulated wood banding throughout the building is in need of refinishing, plastered and painted surfaces require expensive restoration, and the original Magnesite floors – a signature feature – are cracked from heaving and require extensive repairs.
While Unity Temple Restoration Foundation (UTRF), a non-religious 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is committed to saving and restoring this iconic structure, $4 to $6 million is needed immediately to stabilize the structure and complete critical concrete repairs, and $1.5 to $2 million is required to install an interior climate-control system. Cost of the complete project, including interior restoration, is estimated at $20 to $25 million.
Site videos produced by Polivision Productions.
Share your memories of this endangered place
Submitted by Manny at: November 6, 2009
Being a Chicagoan my entire life, I feel extremely blessed to experience, on a daily basis, the wonderful architecture of this great city. Know I know Oak Park is outside the city limits but for anyone to say this isn’t about Chicago doesn’t understand the true importance of what Mr. Wright not just means to the world but how important and closely link his greatness is with our city. From the Wrigley Building to beautiful Grant Park, Chicago still shows us why certain things still are important especially in a large metro area. I love this city & its historical significance on numerous fields, this house should be restored because I believe if it were ever to be raise, we would be loosing a lot more then just a building.
Submitted by Melora at: September 13, 2009
I grew up in Oak Park and have fond memories of living in the community with the Unity Temple (and the iconic Post Office directly to the west of iton Lake Street, with it's WPA era murals). I have been in it a number of times, and remember that even back in the 1970's there was much problem with water. It seems that perhaps the 'internal' drainage system design is difficult for an enviornment with much rain, as Oak Park has, and that the freezing and melting water in/on the concrete over 100 years has been very punishing. Sure hope that the $25M to restore it can be found. Such a shame that this current economic situation, perpetuated by unscrupulous practices and plain greed, will definately have an impact on our ability to save America's historic architectural treasures.
Submitted by tamanna at: September 4, 2009
i am studying architecture in Bangladesh. i am very much attracted to Sir Frank's designs since I've known him and i think Unity temple is one of his best projects as its very unique with its aesthetics and ideas...so this building must be preserved.
Submitted by Ben Trovato at: August 25, 2009
If my memory serves me correctly, I read somewhere that it cost a whopping $8500.00 to build Unity Temple. And, Wright didn't charge them anything for his work.
Submitted by FLW art glass at: June 30, 2009
Licensed to reproduce Mr. Wright's art glass by the FLW Foundation; we restored the beautiful sanctuary lay-lights back in 1987. Preservation of the historic Unity Temple is vital to the community and the architectural legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright! Oakbrook Esser- WI
Submitted by madstudio at: May 19, 2009
i have visited falling water, and living in new york one canonot pass up the musuem. my architectural background was well infulenced by mr wright's work. this building must be saved!
Submitted by Ver at: May 17, 2009
Demolishing the Unity Temple would be a black eye to all Architects and America, lets just restore it!......as a young architect from the far east visiting Chicago the first time, the Temple was the first stop in Oak Park, I had to kiss the corner before taking pictures. Need I say more that I am an American.
Submitted by Linda at: May 8, 2009
An inspiring place where it is easy meditate and let dreams soar. The light and space are a marvel. I can imagine Wright saying....this wall should be the color green when trees first bud or another the color of a maple leaf in fall. We must save this place!
Submitted by mapip at: May 5, 2009
I have heard so much about the Unity Temple, and your photos are just awe inspiring. I very much want to see this building in my life time and I want it to be there so I can. How could anyone consider just demolishing this place with all of the great architecture and design by F.W. Wright. This an American classic at it's best.
Submitted by sam at: May 4, 2009
By far my favorite architect is Frank Loyd Wright, and I think it would be devastating to both the city of chicago and to admirers of wright's work if unity temple was demolished. Please save it!