he three phases of construction show the evolution of Wright’s sensibilities in this early period. The first phase of the house included the bold gable roof and wood shingles of the Queen Anne (or Shingle) style. In contrast the office spaces, begun six years later, have flat or low roofs and long clerestory windows. The drafting room and library also employ octagonal geometry, which was traditionally used for church baptistries and shrines, and was associated with spiritual experiences. This relation between architecture and spiritual transformation would be an enduring one in Wright’s career.

Wright lived in Oak Park until 1909. As he would later at Taliesin and Taliesin West, he continued to work on his home throughout his residency. This spirit of experimentation appeared in major additions and smaller projects, each of which served as a test case for later designs.