There’s no doubt, it’s an exciting time to be in Buffalo. Our city’s rich history and renaissance are being celebrated even more than usual throughout Erie County’s bicentennial year. Our city is beginning to gather again as we approach the end of a pandemic spent inside. Hertel and Elmwood are bustling, events are on the horizon, and if you’re looking for a seat at your favorite restaurant this weekend, we suggest you start planning now.
Designing a modern online presence
One indispensable part of Buffalo’s past is fresh off a decades-long restoration, and more than ready for the spotlight. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, an essential piece of Buffalo’s collection of architecture and a source of local pride, brings visitors from all over the world to the Queen City. The Martin House is once again helping write an important chapter in this city, with a new digital presence to help spread the word. Our team got to play a role in this iconic Buffalo landmark’s rebirth, and we’re so excited to show it off!
The Martin House’s website is often visitors’ first impression of the stunning campus. It needed a refresh to reflect the home’s rebirth during a time when a polished online presence is pivotal. After all, we’ve all become more comfortable with online shopping, virtual tours and digital learning this year. After touring Wright’s buildings ourselves and gathering inspiration from his architecture, design and landscape, our team got to work. We designed and developed a clean website that integrates Wright’s intricate architectural design and the Martin House’s popular branding.
Conveying the Martin House’s cultural relevance online
The fully-restored Martin House and its mission are anything but obsolete. In fact, it turns out Wright’s architectural concepts are more relevant to contemporary life and society than we might have thought!
From sustainable design to air conditioning, the visionary solutions Wright integrated into the Martin House are even more important over 100 years later. Even more notable during the COVID era, a time when many have adjusted to working from home, is the layout’s inclusion of the first home office, as defined in American culture. Built for workaholic businessman Darwin Martin, the Martin House’s bursar’s office was designed to accommodate distraction-free remote work. (We’re all thanking Wright for this concept that has found its way into many of our homes’ layouts today.)
The iconic landmark deserves a virtual space that properly conveys its relevance. The new website’s all-inclusive user experience ensures that all visitors, volunteers, educators, donors and staff can navigate the site with ease and enjoyment. Our technical team included responsive design, ADA compliance and translation to dozens of languages for maximum accessibility. Aside from accessibility, the new website’s structure, design and capabilities support the Martin House’s innovative efforts in community and social involvement.
