The Amberg House by Frank Lloyd Wright and Marion Mahony Griffin

The Amberg House, located at 505 College Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, was initially planned by Frank Lloyd Wright, but its completion was carried out by Marion Mahony Griffin, one of Wright’s most influential collaborators.

Built in 1910, the house is a significant example of Prairie School architecture, featuring an open floor plan, art glass windows, and custom woodwork that emphasize the style’s hallmark horizontal lines and integration with nature.

According to the Library of Congress, the house is “the only surviving example of the work of Marian L. Mahony.”

Mahony Griffin was a pioneering architect, recognized as the first licensed female architect in Illinois and one of the first in the world. Her contributions to Wright’s studio were immense, particularly in rendering the visionary drawings that helped define the Prairie School movement.

“She did the drawings people think of when they think of Frank Lloyd Wright,” said scholar Debora Wood, emphasizing Mahony’s often-overlooked role in shaping Wright’s public image. The Amberg House stands as a rare and important testament to her architectural legacy.

The house now includes an airBnB rental; and I took the first four photos while staying there.