Samara (house) facts for kids
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John E. and Catherine E. Christian House (Samara)
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 Location in Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | West Lafayette, Indiana |
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| Built | 1956 |
| Architect | Frank Lloyd Wright Frank Woods |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000679 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 16, 1992 |
| Designated NHL | February 27, 2015 |
Samara, also known as the John E. Christian House, is a special home in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was designed by a very famous architect named Frank Lloyd Wright. This house is a great example of Wright's "Usonian" style homes. These homes were meant to be beautiful, affordable, and connected to nature. Samara was built between 1954 and 1956. The original owner, John E. Christian, lived there until he passed away in 2015.
Building Samara: A Unique Home
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In 1950, John and Kay Christian wanted to build a new home. They both worked at Purdue University. John was a professor of chemistry, and Kay was a social director. They decided that Frank Lloyd Wright was the perfect architect for their dream house.
John Christian was brave and called Wright directly. To his surprise, he got to speak with the famous architect! Over the next six years, they worked together. They met in Indiana and at Wright's summer home, Taliesin, in Wisconsin.
The Winged Seed Design
Wright named the house "Samara" after a special seed. He saw these seeds, which look like little wings, on the property. He used this "winged seed" idea throughout the house. You can see this design on the windows, dining chairs, and even the living room rug. This pattern is also called "The Winged Seed."
The Christians loved to host students from the university. So, the living room was designed to hold about 50 people! It had a very long couch and even places to sit on the stairs.
Wright's Detailed Vision
Frank Lloyd Wright was known for designing everything in his homes. This included the furniture, towels, and even the plants outside. The Christian family agreed to keep the house exactly as Wright wanted it. They added custom details over time as they could afford them.
Kay Christian wanted brighter colors in the house. Wright usually preferred more natural, muted tones. But his wife, Olgivanna, helped convince him. The result was a home with vibrant lime green, magenta, and purple. These bright colors were mixed with softer orange, yellow, and beige.
In 2015, Samara was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. In 2020, money was given to help make repairs to the house.
See also
- List of Frank Lloyd Wright works
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Indiana
