1031 Chicago, Oak Park, Illinois, Oak Park 60302 United StatesPrint this page   •   Share this page   •   Map This

The Walter H. Gale House’s most prominent feature is the lovely turret. Not an octagon as in other Frank Lloyd Wright designs, but a proper smooth curve with a nice witch’s hat for a roof. The narrow horizontal clapboards enhance the sweep of the wall, and are followed all the way around by a series of art glass windows. Even more amusing is the exceedingly narrow dormer to the left. There appears to be plenty of room for a full-sized gable, but in this whimsical addition, Wright illustrates the notion that absurdity can serve a practical use as well. The narrow dormer is well matched by a nearby chimney, and at the opposite of the tall-and-narrow scale is the front steps at the opposite side of the building which spill off of the porch like a pedestrian waterfall spreading across the lawn. Very Wright.

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