Avery Coonley Playhouse

Did Frank Lloyd Wright ever imagine that his architectural masterpiece, the Avery Coonley Playhouse, would one day become a family home? Now a private residence, the Avery Coonley Playhouse stands as a testament to Wright’s genius and the enduring legacy of the Prairie School style. Built in 1912 as a private schoolhouse for the children of Avery and Queen Coonley, the Avery Coonley Playhouse was much more than just an educational space. It was designed as a work of art, a place where children could learn and grow surrounded by beauty and innovation. Imagine, if you will, attending school in a space where colorful, geometric stained glass windows, known as Wright’s “kinder-symphony” windows, filled the rooms with dancing patterns of light. These windows, inspired by a child’s parade with balloons, confetti, and flags, are considered some of Wright’s most important window designs. The playhouse, with its low-slung roofs, open spaces, and harmonious connection to the surrounding landscape, embodied Wright’s belief that architecture should be in tune with nature. Though converted into a single-family residence in 1919, the Avery Coonley Playhouse retains the spirit of Wright’s original vision. As you gaze upon its distinctive features, let your imagination wander back to a time when laughter and learning filled these hallowed halls, a testament to the enduring power of creativity and imagination.