5 Things You Didn’t Know About Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Laurent House’

The famed Laurent House in Rockford has been referred to by historic architect Frank Lloyd Wright as his "little gem."

Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent's home is one of the most unique pieces of architecture in the Rockford area.

After spinal surgery left Kenneth Laurent paralyzed from the waist down, the couple commissioned Wright to help create the home and environment that the Laurent's would need in order to let Kenneth live his life to the fullest.

Here are five other things you might not have known about one of the most famous homes in the Rockford area.

1. According to Laurent House, the home was the "only building ever designed by the famed architect for a person with a disability."
2. Northwest Quarterly says "The home met 80 percent of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements 40 years before the Act existed."
3. The Laurent's got Frank Lloyd Wright by simply sending him a letter explaining why they need his help.
4. While it took a year for Wright to get the plans to the Laurent family, it only took two hours to get the plan from his own mind to paper. Wright appeared to have the idea formulated in his mind the entire time.
5. After the project was completed, the Laurent's and Wright stayed in touch. So much so, the couple would visit Wright on his birthday every year until his death in 1959.