Charnley-Norwood House, Prairie School residence in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, US.
The Charnley-Norwood House is a Prairie School residence in Ocean Springs sitting on waterfront land with a T-shaped bungalow design featuring horizontal lines. Large glass windows and natural materials define its exterior and flow through its interior spaces.
The residence was built in 1890 by Louis Sullivan with Frank Lloyd Wright as a draftsman on the design team. A fire destroyed it in 1897, but it was reconstructed following the original plans.
The house marks a shift from Victorian design toward Prairie School aesthetics, using local heart pine and open floor plans that connect interior spaces. This approach brought a fresh way of thinking about how buildings relate to their surroundings and inhabitants.
The property sits on East Beach Drive and is most easily reached by walking from town, with parking nearby. Visitors should note that the waterfront location changes appearance with the tides, affecting how the setting looks throughout the day.
The grounds include not just the main residence but also an octagonal guest cottage set on expansive land. This additional structure is often overlooked even though it reflects the same design principles as the main building.
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