How did Frank Lloyd Wright design the Larkin Company Building to protect workers from Buffalo’s smoky surroundings?

To protect workers from the smoky environment of Buffalo, New York, Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Larkin Company administrative building as a sealed, fireproof structure. Because the building abutted railways, Wright utilized a mechanical ventilation system that provided filtered and conditioned air to the interior.

In addition to this climate control, the design focused on creating a healthy and efficient workspace by incorporating sound-absorbent surfaces, metal office furniture, and a system of balanced natural and artificial lighting.1