The Hanna House, located on the campus of Stanford University, is famously known as the “Honeycomb House.” Completed in 1937, it serves as a landmark in Frank Lloyd Wright’s career as his first major residential experiment with non-rectangular geometry. Every aspect of the structure—from the walls and floor grid to the custom furniture—is based on the hexagonal figure of the honeycomb. By utilizing 120-degree angles instead of the traditional 90-degree corner, Wright created a fluid, organic interior that he believed better matched the natural patterns of human movement.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, which helps support the site at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.
A Partnership in Design
The house was designed for Paul R. Hanna and his wife, Jean, both educators who met at Hamline University in Minnesota. After Paul became a professor at Stanford in 1935, the couple sought out Wright after falling in love with his work at Taliesin.
The Hannas were deeply involved in the process, viewing the home as a living organism that should grow with their family. Wright designed the house to be “expandable”; for example, a central playroom was designed to eventually transition into a formal dining room as the children grew older. Though originally budgeted at $15,000, the final cost ballooned to $37,000—a massive sum at the time that required the Hannas to take out significant loans and incorporate design features over the following 25 years.
Preservation and Management
In 1975, Paul and Jean Hanna gifted their home to Stanford University. However, the home’s structural integrity was put to the ultimate test in 1989 when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck. Despite Wright’s legendary confidence in his earthquake-proof engineering, the “Honeycomb House” suffered severe structural damage, forcing it to close for over a decade.
The university undertook a massive restoration project to stabilize the hexagonal grid. This was a complex task, as the non-standard angles meant that every repair had to be custom-engineered to maintain Wright’s original vision. Today, the home is managed by Stanford University, ensuring that this delicate geometric experiment is protected for future generations.
Architectural Innovation: The 120-Degree Angle
The beauty of the hexagonal geometry in a seemingly un-geometric structure is simple and breathtaking. However, the construction was notoriously difficult; in 1937, crews struggled to wrap their heads around the 120-degree angles upon which the entire structure is based. There isn’t a single 90-degree angle to be found in the house.
While the Hanna House is often mistaken for a Prairie Style home due to its sprawling horizontal lines, it is more accurately described as a precursor to the modern ranch. It is a masterpiece of “Usonian” principles—designed to be one with the hillside. From the moment you turn the corner and see the sprawling, reddish house up on the hillside, there is no doubt it could only have been designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The attention to detail throughout the structure is phenomenal, creating an environment that feels as though it was designed specifically for the individual. With its seamless flow and phenomenal craft, the Hanna House remains a true gem in the collection of preserved Wright homes.
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The Hanna House is located at 737 Frenchman’s Road, Stanford, California, on the residential grounds of Stanford University.
🛑Limited Public Access
Because the Hanna House serves as a university facility, public tours are typically offered only twice a year. It is essential to coordinate in advance via the Stanford University website or by emailing hannahouse@stanford.edu.
🧳Make it a Trip
Visiting the Hanna House places you in the heart of Silicon Valley. Pair your visit with a walk through the Stanford University campus, known for its beautiful Romanesque architecture and the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts.
🏨Hotels Near Hanna House
- Best Western Plus Riviera
- Comfort Inn Palo Alto
- Crowne Plaza Palo Alto, an IHG Hotel
- Nobu Hotel Palo Alto
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home.
- Hanna House Online Collection (blueprints, photos)
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hanna House: The Clients’ Report by Paul & Jean Hanna
