Darwin Martin was a very successful business man in Buffalo, New York. As his business grew, he became one of the wealthiest men in America. Wanting a home to befit his status, he searched for an architect to build his family home. Frank Lloyd Wright was just starting off on his own at the time and was recommended to Martin. Martin had selected a plot of land in the millionaire section of Buffalo, but when Wright saw it, he said it wasn't big enough and selected a corner lot large enough for 4 homes. The original budget was $4,000, it ended up costing $14,000. Wright also designed his first commercial building for Martin which unfortunately was torn down in the 1950's.
The Darwin Martin house, built in 1903-1906 has six interconnected buildings, including the main Martin House, a pergola that connects to a conservatory and carriage house with chauffeur's quarters aloft, the Barton House which was built for Martin's sister, and a gardeners cottage added in 1909. There were six servants who lived in the house, each had their own room. Martin and his wife had two children. There are three bedrooms on the second floor of the main house. This home is a prime example of a Wright Prairie House with its horizontal lines and planes. Even the bricks on the exterior were designed for the deep lines. The gutters have no downspouts. The water collects in the corners and creates a waterfall effect. The windows open diagonally. The ceilings are low and the ceiling molding at the entrances create a tension forcing you to enter so you are not standing under the six foot high eaves. The carriage house was built for horses and converted for cars is now the gift shop.
Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take photos in the house, but I would like to describe some of the unique features I saw. In the main living areas there is a crown molding on the ceiling that wraps around the room, in some areas it connects to other rooms on the same floor. It is six inches off the side wall and consists of five inches of dark oak with fine cut details in the wood. In the library, there are no book shelves, the book shelves are hidden in the square support columns as you enter the room. These oak columns are multi-functional. On the bottom, the cabinets opens to reveal the book shelves, then the cabinets swings out to reveal additional shelving space. Above the cabinets are art glass windows all around the square column which open up to provide heat for the rooms. There are also heating vents throughout the house, but they are not visible. Heating is provided by an oil furnace on the other side of the complex and forced air is moved through pipes under the flooring through the pergola. The house has built in oak cabinets and wall paneling. The Martin house has a double sided fireplace in the center of the house. Originally, there were glass panels around the entire fireplace, but they were destroyed. Everything in the house was designed by Wright, from the building complex, the landscaping, art glass windows, the kitchen and bathrooms, the furniture, the planters in the garden, even the clothes lines.
Darwin Martin died penniless. His wife lived in the house for two years after his death. When she could no longer afford the upkeep, she moved out. The house was abandoned for 17 years. During that time, it fell to ruin and windows and fixtures were stolen. It had a few owners after the Martin's before it was bought by the Martin House Restoration CorporationIn in1992. According to our tour guide yesterday, the restoration will not be completed until $2MM is raised. So, come on out and see it and spend some money at the gift shop!
The Darwin Martin house, built in 1903-1906 has six interconnected buildings, including the main Martin House, a pergola that connects to a conservatory and carriage house with chauffeur's quarters aloft, the Barton House which was built for Martin's sister, and a gardeners cottage added in 1909. There were six servants who lived in the house, each had their own room. Martin and his wife had two children. There are three bedrooms on the second floor of the main house. This home is a prime example of a Wright Prairie House with its horizontal lines and planes. Even the bricks on the exterior were designed for the deep lines. The gutters have no downspouts. The water collects in the corners and creates a waterfall effect. The windows open diagonally. The ceilings are low and the ceiling molding at the entrances create a tension forcing you to enter so you are not standing under the six foot high eaves. The carriage house was built for horses and converted for cars is now the gift shop.
Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to take photos in the house, but I would like to describe some of the unique features I saw. In the main living areas there is a crown molding on the ceiling that wraps around the room, in some areas it connects to other rooms on the same floor. It is six inches off the side wall and consists of five inches of dark oak with fine cut details in the wood. In the library, there are no book shelves, the book shelves are hidden in the square support columns as you enter the room. These oak columns are multi-functional. On the bottom, the cabinets opens to reveal the book shelves, then the cabinets swings out to reveal additional shelving space. Above the cabinets are art glass windows all around the square column which open up to provide heat for the rooms. There are also heating vents throughout the house, but they are not visible. Heating is provided by an oil furnace on the other side of the complex and forced air is moved through pipes under the flooring through the pergola. The house has built in oak cabinets and wall paneling. The Martin house has a double sided fireplace in the center of the house. Originally, there were glass panels around the entire fireplace, but they were destroyed. Everything in the house was designed by Wright, from the building complex, the landscaping, art glass windows, the kitchen and bathrooms, the furniture, the planters in the garden, even the clothes lines.
Darwin Martin died penniless. His wife lived in the house for two years after his death. When she could no longer afford the upkeep, she moved out. The house was abandoned for 17 years. During that time, it fell to ruin and windows and fixtures were stolen. It had a few owners after the Martin's before it was bought by the Martin House Restoration CorporationIn in1992. According to our tour guide yesterday, the restoration will not be completed until $2MM is raised. So, come on out and see it and spend some money at the gift shop!
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