Begun in 1937 and expanded over 25 years, this is the first and best example of Wright's innovative hexagonal design. A Usonian home patterned after the honeycomb of a bee, the 3,570 square foot house incorporates six-sided figures with 120-degree angles in its plan, in its numerous tiled terraces, and even in built-in furnishings. In American National BibliographyFrederick Ivor-Campbell wrote " Honeycomb House showed how Wright's system of Polygonal modules could provide the openness that he associated with freedom of movement while gracefully integrating the house with its sloping topography. The hexagonal modules of the floor plan gave the appearance of a honeycomb; hence the name of the house." There are no right angles on the floor plan. The Hanna-Honeycomb house was designed for Paul R. Hanna and his wife Jean, both well-known educators and for many years associated with Stanford University. The project was begun while they were a young married couple with three children. The home thus had four bedrooms and three bathrooms. These and the house were expanded and adapted over time, with Wright's assistance, as the professional and personal needs of the Hannas changed.
Construction and restoration
The construction process was not without difficulty. Wright's initial plans called for flat terrain, but the lot the Hannas purchased was hilly. Cost overruns meant that the original $15,000 price tag ballooned to over $37,000. Additionally, Hanna discovered that his lot encompassed a portion of the San Andreas Fault. Wright, whose Imperial Hotel had survived the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, was undaunted. Unfortunately, the home was severely damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Although that branch of the fault was inactive during the quake, the foundation and chimney were essentially unreinforced and likely would have collapsed if the earthquake had lasted longer. A major 10-year restoration was completed in April 1999, this time with seismic reinforcement.
Features
The house is one-story high with a central clerestory and is constructed of native redwoodboard and batten, San Josebrick, concrete and plate glass. The house clings to and completes the hillside on which it was built as the floor and courtyard levels conform to the slope of this one and one-half acre site. The entire site includes the main house, a guesthouse, hobby shop, storage building, double carport, breezeway, and garden house with pools and water cascade. After living in the house for 38 years, the Hannas gave the property to Stanford University in 1974.
Current use
It is now owned by Stanford, and is open for tours by reservation only. It is occasionally used for university functions such as seminars and receptions.
