Coonley House: A Prairie School Masterpiece

The Avery Coonley House, also known as the Coonley Estate, is a residential complex located on the banks of the Des Plaines River in Riverside, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Constructed between 1908 and 1912, it was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Coonley House is one of Wright's largest and most elaborate Prairie School homes and is considered by Wright to be the “most successful of my houses”.Avery Coonley, a wealthy Chicago industrialist, and his wife, Queene Ferry Coonley, commissioned Wright to design a residence that reflected their progressive values. The result was a sprawling estate comprising several buildings, including the main house, a stable-coach house, and a gardener's cottage. The estate is noted for its zoned planning, separating spaces according to their functions. The main structure includes a public area, a bedroom wing, and kitchen and servant areas.The Coonley House exemplifies Wright's Prairie School style, characterized by low-slung horizontal lines, broad overhanging eaves, and the integration of natural materials. The interior features open, flowing spaces and art glass windows, creating a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. Wright also designed the furniture, rugs, and textiles, ensuring a unified design scheme throughout the house. The art glass windows of the nearby Coonley Playhouse feature a design based on balloons, confetti, and American flags.Alterations have been made to the Coonley Estate through the years. The entire north side of the house has been meticulously restored to its original splendor including the re-creation of the George Mann Niedecken living room mural as well as the decorative tulip designed tile frieze along with many light screens that surround the perimeter of the house.