A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
The Darwin Martin House in Buffalo was designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1905 for Darwin Martin and his family. The multi-structure estate is a National Historic Landmark and receives visitors from around the world. Take a look inside through photos by The News' Sharon Cantillon.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
At the turn of the 20th century it was very popular to display classical sculptures. The replica of the famous sculpture "Nike of Samothrace" is the central focus in the conservatory.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Fourteen urns around the property were Wright's way of integrating nature with the home.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The circle and square design used in the urns is repeated throughout the house.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Under the band of windows in the reception room are horizontal panes of glass that Wright called u201csun traps.u201d These bring sunlight into the lower level and reflect sunlight into the rooms above.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Sun traps outside the reception room window not only provide the basement with light but reflect a beautiful pattern through the light screens onto the ceiling.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The sun traps are seen through the light screens.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The reflections through the light screens on a ceiling inside the house.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A sunburst fireplace is a distinctive element in the reception room.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A Wright-designed barrel chair in the reception room.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Pillar chairs and a table, also designed by Wright, in the reception room.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The Barton House was built on the property for Darwin Martin's sister.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Two of four birdhouses sit on top of the conservatory at the corners.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A replica of "Spring" by artist Richard Bock adorns the outside of the property.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Apart of the main room known as the library.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Another view of the library.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A Wright-designed bookcase in the library is designed to mimic the look of the brick walls.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The carriage house was reconstructed in the mid-2000s.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The plaster walls and ceilings are stained with a pigmented beeswax glaze. The pigments were specified by Frank Lloyd Wright in the architectu2019s signature autumnal palette. Miles of wood trim throughout the house was also restored.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The mortar joints were restored using the original technique of flash gilding. The process involves going over each mortar line four times: sealing the porous mortar; applying a liquid gold u201csizeu201d (varnish); applying loose, dry metallic powders by brush; and applying a sealer.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Another look at the restored flash gilding.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Trim on the ceiling was also restored.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
All of the furniture in the living room was designed by Wright, with one exception. Wright had designed a piano for the Martins, but they became impatient waiting for it to arrive and bought the Steinway pictured here.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Landscaping suitable for a prairie-style house.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Wright did not like downspouts, so he designed a very short down spout with a catch basin below.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The Wright-designed dining room table has been restored.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Another view of the dining room table.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The sideboard in the dining room. Wright didn't want furniture brought in to compete with his design, so he had much of it built in.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The carriage house was reconstructed in the mid-2000s.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The landscaping will be restored and is in the design stage. In the background is the carriage house.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
This is a pier cluster, which serves to hide the radiator and bookshelves and serves as an artistic element.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The interior of a pier cluster.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The copper beech tree was planted by 1905.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Looking through art glass windows to the carriage house. Wright called them "light screens."
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The pergola was reconstructed in the mid-2000s.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Another view of the pergola.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
An exterior look at the pergola.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The conservatory was also reconstructed in the mid-2000s.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The inside of the conservatory.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Another view of the famous "Nike of Samothrace" sculpture in the conservatory.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Wright designed the house with different styles of lighting.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
One type of lighting.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Another type of lighting.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A vintage style of lighting.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Art glass windows from the outside are beautiful when the light hits them the right way.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The restored roof tiles were made by a company in France in a kiln that has been in use since the 11th century.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The close-up of the restored roof tiles.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A long counter and sinks in the kitchen.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Windows in the kitchen have a scenic view of other buildings in the complex.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Storage in the kitchen.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Here's what a Wright-designed bathroom looks like.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The lower level, featuring another sunburst fireplace, is used as an education area.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The view looking down from second floor.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
A tall case clock on the second landing.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
Twenty-six Japanese paintings are hung throughout the Darwin Martin House.
A Closer Look: The Darwin Martin House
The fireplace from the music room.
In this Series
Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures
This series has taken Buffalo News photographers inside, outside, above and, on occasion, underneath local landmarks and to places most people…
