Chicago has plenty to 'big up' when it comes to its architecture – the first skyscraper, the tallest building in the world, the best architect of the 20th century – but here's one you might not be aware of – the very first modern building. As a church, Unity Temple might not seem like the most obvious choice for such claim. But it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, at his peak in the early 1900s. Take a left of South Boulevard in Oak Park, and you'll quickly see what the fuss is about.
Unity Temple is a bold pairing of off-white cubes, joined at the middle, each caged by a set of sharp columns, picked out with geometrical engravings. It manages to look modern and ancient at the same time – a Babylonian temple for 20th century. Lloyd Wright was asked to build it by the Universalist church-goers of Oak Park, whose previous church had burned down. As a faithful Unitarian himself, who shared many beliefs, he took on the brief – despite the low budget and limited space to work with.
He decided to use concrete throughout the building, to inexpensively create the simple bold lines he envisioned for a Unity Temple. That approach hadn't been taken before. And when combined with its striking geometry and innovative interior, it's easy why architects, then and now, saw Unity Temple as radical. And the first truly modern take on how to do buildings.
Lloyd Wright didn't just design the outside – he looked after all the details of the inside too. And when you step through the entrance, you'll feel a complete change of atmosphere. Cleverly, he avoided using windows in the walls, so as to keep noise from the busy street out. To get the daylight in, the roof was entirely sky-lighted, with many of the panes coloured green, yellow and brown, so as to evoke the outside.
That combined with its wonderfully simple use of lined décor makes for a warm, calm and quiet space of worship. Lloyd Wright called it a 'natural building for natural Man'. Architects since have called it an inspiration. And it has been ranked as the 6th most important building in all of the US by them. So it is a must-visit when in Chicago just remember to respect its on-going religious use.
