Johnson Wax Building - Racine WI
Posted by: 
nomadwillie
N 42° 42.835 W 087° 47.458
16T E 435230 N 4729349
Headquarters for the Johnson Wax company completed in 1939. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the headquarters with the famous mushroom support columns. It is Wright's interpretation of the Art Moderne style popular in the 1930's
Waymark Code: WMP0HE
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 06/04/2015
Views: 3
Frank Lloyd Wright's Depression-era design for the Johnson Wax Company's Administration Building and Research Tower was so radical that local building commissioners refused to approve it without a test. At issue were Wright's novel "mushroom" columns, intended to carry loads varying from 2 to 12 tons. When a sample was built and withstood a load of 60 tons, the permit was granted. One of three notable commissions executed by the architect during the Depression, these structures employ a highly original system of cantilever-slab construction in a classic of modern office design. Frank Lloyd Wright's imaginative approach to structure is seen in his use of rounded "organic" forms, and in the T-shaped columns and "tree-like" tower. The complex, which opened in 1939, continues to serve its original functions, and still contains original furnishings that Wright designed. Widely published, it was recognized for its importance even before it was completed, and helped the architect to gain a number of commissions.
City, State or City, Country: Racine, Wisconsin
Year Built: 1936 to 1939
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
Webpage from GreatBuildings.com or other approved listing: [Web Link]
Other website with more information about building: [Web Link]
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