This was one of Wright's first California commissions in the early 1920s and is considered one of his finest despite its advanced state of decay. The structure is now maintained by the City of Los Angeles as the chainlink fencing and peeling paint will attest. Transcending the harmful effects of municipal management however are characteristics that are undoubtedly the touch of Frank Lloyd Wright. The low entry hall immediately gives way to a spacious living room for which massive furniture items were specifically designed. One of the most exciting details of this room is the illumination.
Lighting is concealed behind wood panels that circle the room where the walls meet the ceiling.
This technique effectively gives the entire house a diffuse glow and permeating warmth. As with any Frank Lloyd Wright home, the way space is arranged is given special attention. Rooms seem to flow into each other by means of wide open hallways and elevation variation. It's too bad that the house ended up in public hands - a little private investment could probably go a long ways in restoring the Hollyhock complex to its original grandeur. For more info on the Ennis-Brown or Hollyhock Houses, or even Blade Runner visit the links page on your way out.