Never a Living Room “Too Large”

When you think about your home, what room comes to mind first? It’s probably the room where you spend most of your time — the living room! If you live in a home built in recent decades, your kitchen and eating areas are likely integrated with this space in an open-concept plan. Whether you call it the living room, family room, entertainment room, or something else, your main living space likely wouldn’t look the way it does today without American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Wright (1867–1959) pioneered and championed open-concept living, a radical yet innovative idea for its time. He believed that architecture should reflect both the character of its location and intended inhabitants, a concept he called “Organic Architecture.” For homes built in the United States, this meant that the sense of space should convey a feeling of “democratic freedom,” with layouts that promoted a sense of openness. Wright’s philosophy was part of what drew a young couple from West Lafayette, Indiana, to ask him to design their home in 1950.

When John and Catherine Christian were planning their new residence, they clearly knew what they needed. In her essay “What We Need for How We Live,” Mrs. Christian specified for Frank Lloyd Wright the desire for an entertaining area that could “accommodate both small and large groups equally well, yet not be exceptionally large.” The Christians also wanted a family area where they could relax, “let down their hair,” and spend time together. Considering their limited budget, it would be a tall request for Wright to fulfill.

Instead of granting the Christians two separate rooms — one for family and the other for guests — Wright consolidated all special features into one space — a living room that would live up to its name. His design made the room truly one of the most important and visually powerful spaces in the house, making up nearly half the total square footage. Wright’s preliminary drawings of the living room impressed the Christians, with every detail working seamlessly together.

However, after reviewing the plans with their local contractor, the Christians were still concerned about the cost of their unique home. The largest room — the living room — clearly stood out from the rest. Dr. Christian, looking for where he could lower the cost of the house, telegrammed Wright:

Dr. Christian thought sections “G” to “H” could be subtracted from the living room area eliminating a four-foot section of the room and thus saving on building materials. Wright did not agree, responding by telegram:

Wright’s decisive response was not the end of the story. Samara, as it is built today, is still eight-feet shorter than his initial plans, double the measurement that the Christians initially suggested to be removed. So, what happened?

On July 16, 1955, Mrs. Christian diplomatically responded to Wright’s telegram with her own missive: “One “Wright” answer calls for others (appreciated your wire and are following advice).”

Instead of removing sections “G” to “H,” Wright chose to remove sections “A” to “C,” eliminating a significant portion of the outdoor terrace on the south side, as well as a staircase leading to a grass lawn. Considering that Dr. Christian’s suggestion would have resulted in fewer windows, doors, lighting, and interior space, Wright’s decision was the right one, giving the couple the option of enlarging the south terrace later, which would be less expensive than trying to add-on to the living room.

Wright believed that the living room was not just a place to be, but a way to be — that one could never live too large. For most of his clients, building and living in a home designed by Wright was the highlight of their lives. After only living at Samara for four months, the Christians, said to Wright, “Although it is not complete in many details, we are enjoying it immensely.”

Samara provides a captivating experience for those fortunate enough to visit in person. The house may seem small and sheltered from the outside, but once you step inside the living room, the space blossoms and is filled with views of a seemingly dense woodland forest. Wright’s carefully crafted design allows natural light to illuminate the space. If the room were just four feet shorter, it wouldn’t have the same effect it has today.

Architectural drawings and telegrams courtesy John E. Christian Family Memorial Trust Archives