11/02: Allen-Lambe House

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If you live near 2nd and Roosevelt, you probably pass by this house every day. But few people realize that it’s the Allen-Lambe House—the last of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style homes. Completed in 1918, this house was built for Henry J. Allen and his wife, Elsie. Allen was the editor and publisher of the Wichita Beacon who came to be the 21st governor of Kansas, then a U.S. Senator, and commissioned the only private residence to be built by Wright in Kansas.

Wright had very clear architectural principles that defined his Prairie Style. One of the most important principles was to create a sense of unity with the site. For the landscape of the prairie, horizontal lines are a distinctive feature. This is seen in the Allen-Lambe house with the use of thin, flat brick, short walls that wrap around the house’s sunken garden, and a gently sloping, low-hanging roof.

Wright strived for internal harmony within his structures. He achieved this by designing every aspect of the house. The lighting fixtures, furniture, and windows are all integrated into the architectural design. There are no decorations added on to the Allen-Lambe house– and this is down to the details. All the brickwork found inside has mortar gilded with gold. And while gilding an additive process, its adherence to the mortar integrates it into the material structure of the house. This incredibly expensive feature is seen in only one other Wright building.

There are so many more features to discuss about this house: the Japanese influence, the innovative practical functions of the house, and the beautiful built-in cabinetry. If you have not visited in Allen-Lambe house, guided tours are available by appointment. It is truly an architectural gem of our city.

For more information on making a reservation for a guided tour, visit http://www.allenlambe.org/ or call 316-687-1027

—Lindsey Herkommer