American System-Built Houses, 10541 S. Hoyne Ave.

“After revolutionizing American residential architecture with his innovative custom-designed "prairie houses" at the turn-of-the-century, Wright was commissioned by the Richards Company of Milwaukee to produce a series of standardized designs that could be purchased and erected anywhere in the country.”

“The Burhans-Ellinwood & Company Model House and H. Howard Hyde House are important examples of the work of master architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The houses are the only known examples of Wright's prefabricated designs for the American System-Built Houses project to have been erected in Chicago, and constitute important links in the fragile chronology of Wright's extant works in the Chicago area.”

“Wright's professional career was further hampered by controversies in his personal life, which generated nationwide publicity for reasons other than his architectural achievements. Under the sponsorship of the Richards Company, Wright's studio developed a wide range of stock designs, and a grouping of prototype houses and apartment buildings was completed in Milwaukee by RICHARDS WILL BUILD YOO HOME 79 Prior to establishing the American System-Built Houses project, Arthur L. Richards operated a successful home-building business in Milwaukee.”

“Ironically, even the architects of traditional buildings found themselves assimilating aspects of Wright's innovations into their designs, while others creatively expanded his visions in new directions. Even the ubiquitous brick "Chicago bungalows" erected throughout the city's neighborhoods in the 1920s owed their distinctive crisp lines, overhanging hipped roofs, and geometrical art glass windows to Wright's influence.”

“A better home. Better built, excellently planned, far more livable. More beautiful? Yes it will have that rare thing genuine architectural beauty -- designed by a leader of architects.”

“Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the leading practitioner of an architectural approach distinguished by the creative unity of form, function and technology, the houses represent an attempt to make quality housing affordable by using mass-production methods.”

“You know in advance exactly what your American Home will cost. And the quality of material and workmanship is guaranteed, Built by Established Contractors Come to Our Office-Learn How YOU Can Own An American Home To you who live in apartments or in a house not "own, decide now to have a beautiful horne of your own.”

“A significant number of Wright's executed designs demonstrated the ability to create above-average housing on a limited budget, many of which were given national exposure through publication in major architectural periodicals.”

“Although he produced major projects like Tokyo's Imperial Hotel and the Hollyhock House and an innovative series of concrete-block houses in the Los Angeles area, Wright experienced a continued decline in commissions and professional recognition throughout the 1920s and early 30s.”