Unity Temple restoration nears completion
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation | Mar 31, 2017
The long-anticipated $23 million comprehensive restoration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois is expected to be complete by the end of May 2017.
The project to restore Unity Temple, which began in April of 2014, will restore Frank Lloyd Wright’s building to its original appearance while implementing environmental improvements to ensure its functional sustainability through the next century.
The exterior restoration includes concrete conservation, skylight repair, new roofing and drainage, door and window restoration, landscape restoration and exterior lighting. The interior scope of work includes restoration of historic plaster, repair and replacement of damaged plaster, replication of original finishes, lighting upgrades, art glass restoration, and wood door and trim restoration. A new geothermal heating and cooling system has been installed, as have upgraded electrical and fire alarm systems.
Photos and video provided by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation
Unity Temple is one of the earliest public buildings in the United States to feature exposed concrete, and – with its cubic, flat-roofed structure – is considered to be among the most innovative and imaginative structures of the 20th century. Wright considered the building one of his greatest achievements, describing Unity Temple as “my contribution to modern architecture.”
The innovative, experimental design elements of this modern masterpiece, including its 16 separate flat roofs, also created unforeseen structural problems. Over time, Unity Temple’s concrete structure and interior finishes have suffered extensive water damage and surface cracking.
A comprehensive restoration master plan was developed from 2000 to 2006 to address the complete restoration of Unity Temple, including the building’s exterior and interior, decorative, and environmental components. The plan was updated in 2014 to include additional testing and reports.
The restoration of Unity Temple will serve as a model of best practices for modern conservation, exemplifying the challenge of restoring a building that has had previous, extensive restorations, as well as the challenge of closely matching original materials and finishes. The completion of the restoration takes place in time for the 150th anniversary of Wright’s birth.
