In 1936, third generation SC Johnson leader H.F. Johnson, Jr. sought out the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Designs were in development for the company’s new Administration Building, but H.F. wanted a new, more modern approach, even though ground had already been broken and construction was set to start. He later explained, “Anybody can build a typical building. I wanted to build the best office building in the world, and the only way to do that was to get the greatest architect in the world.”

Thus began a relationship between Frank Lloyd Wright and SC Johnson that continues to this day. The remarkable Administration Building opened in 1939, followed by the Research Tower in 1950. Today, both are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Administration Building

The SC Johnson Administration Building is celebrated as one of the top 25 buildings of the 20th century. From its 43 miles of Pyrex glass tubing to the dendriform columns soaring in the Great Workroom, it is truly a unique work of art that reflects that innovation and adventure that are still the spirit of SC Johnson today.

Among the building's special features are the Great Workroom's more than one-half acre of open workspace and the "bird cage" circular elevators that run from the basement to the Penthouse level, giving a panoramic view of the building. The glass tubing "windows" of the building were designed by Wright to refract light and cut glare. If laid end to end, the original Pyrex tubes would have extended more than 43 miles.

Perhaps the most recognized feature of the Great Workroom is its columns. Wright called them "dendriform," meaning tree-shaped, but many also refer to them as lily pads because of the unique shape of their top supporting pads. The column tops are 18 1/2 feet in diameter and the bases are only 9 inches in diameter.

Wright designed more than 40 different pieces of furniture for the Administration Building, each created to reflect aspects of the building's overall design. The primary color used throughout the building is an earthy maroon-orange tint, which Wright called "Cherokee Red."

Research Tower

The Research Tower, added to the campus in 1950, is one of the tallest structures ever built on the cantilever principle. It stands 153 feet tall and its central core, which is 13 feet in diameter, extends 54 feet into the ground. All 14 floors of the Research Tower are supported by the core, much like a tree supports its branches.