r/franklloydwright

When I moved to California in the mid 80s I never imagined I would live a few blocks from the Marin Civic Center. I have been an architecture fiend since I can remember. I would spend hours in the library researching random metaphysical stuff on microfilm...just to be there.

The Raúl Bailleres House was significantly altered to suit its dramatic site. Whereas the Windfohr plan was designed for a relatively flat piece of property, the Bailleres site in Acapulco occupied a steep hillside overlooking the bay. This allowed Wright to fully exploit the terrain. The terrace off the main living space—now referred to as the patio—was dropped six feet below the main floor level, while the swimming pool stepped down an additional twenty-one feet. The result would have created a breathtaking sequence of outdoor spaces cascading toward the bay, with the pool's overflow spilling over the rocks below.

Wright took full advantage of both the location and the site. Situated in the tropics, the large circular space that served as the living room in the other versions of the design was reimagined as an open-air patio. The wings of the house were angled outward, embracing the surrounding landscape. While the earlier schemes featured a large domed skylight centered within the concrete shell roof, the Bailleres design eliminated the skylight entirely. In its place was nothing but open air. Another significant alteration was the transformation of the fireplace nook into a water feature complete with a fountain and pool. Existing rocks and boulders found on the site were incorporated into the design, becoming integral elements of the living spaces. Combined with extensive glass partitions, the architecture dissolved the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, creating a home that truly broke the box in every direction.

The first wing extends from the patio to the left at an angle of approximately 140 degrees and consists of two levels. Ascending eight steps leads to a dining room capable of accommodating twenty-four guests. A breakfast area extends from this space near the entrance to the kitchen. Beyond a set of double doors lies a kitchen of a scale one would expect in a residence of this size, complete with a double pantry, oversized island, and extensive workspaces.

Continuing farther into the service area, there is a dining space for the household staff and a separate entrance for housekeeping personnel. Adjacent to this entrance is a maid's bedroom with a private bath. Outside this entry is another doorway leading to additional servant quarters. Returning to the lower level, accessible directly from the patio through glass doors, is a card room featuring a fireplace that shares a common chimney with the fireplace in the dining room above.

The second wing projects from the patio to the right at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Tucked behind the water feature is the access point, offering two options. One descends nine steps to the lower level, while the other ascends nine steps to an open loggia. This upper level contains two bathrooms, a reception room, and a guest suite.

At the end of this wing is a covered porch that wraps around to a balcony extending along nearly two-thirds of the structure before terminating at a large boulder. Five sets of double doors line the balcony, providing sweeping views of Acapulco Bay. At the far end of the loggia, a ramp follows the arc of the porch and the curve of the lawn terrace above before descending toward the pool and bay below.

Branching at a right angle from the loggia is an additional guest suite complete with a sitting room and bath. Along this hallway is another ramp leading to the upper level.

At the top of the ramp is a second loggia with access to an outdoor terrace. Directly adjoining this space is the master suite, complete with a sitting room and separate his-and-her bathrooms. A hallway leading back toward the patio below contains a bedroom for the Bailleres daughter, also equipped with a private bath. Another corridor extends alongside the ramp before turning sharply toward the farthest reach of the wing, where two bedrooms for the sons are located, each with its own bathroom.

Opposite this residential wing is the motor court, which contains multiple bays for automobiles, stables, or storage. This area also includes an additional servant's apartment with two bedrooms and a living room. Along the main road stands a gatehouse containing two bedrooms and a living room for caretakers or staff.

The home designed for Raúl Bailleres and his family never progressed beyond the preliminary drawing stage, despite the modifications that were made to adapt it from the original Windfohr scheme. Why the project was abandoned remains uncertain, though it may have suffered the same fate as the other versions of this design. Simply put, the houses may have been too large and too expensive to build.

Whatever the reason the loss of this project remains one of the great "what ifs" of Wright's career. Had it been realized, the Raúl Bailleres House would likely stand today among the masterworks of organic architecture. Its dramatic response to the Acapulco hillside, seamless integration of landscape and structure, and bold reimagining of indoor and outdoor living suggest a residence every bit as remarkable as the celebrated Wright masterpieces that were ultimately built.