As noted above the pre-WWII Usonians came in on budget. Well Wright was able to stay on budget late in his career too. I just read an article in the February 1959 House and Home magazine by the builder (Jim DeReus) of the two Oskaloosa, IA Wright homes. He states that when he heard that Wright was designing a home for a local merchant he "went after" the contract and did not care if he "made a dime" on it, because of what he and his crew would learn. He stated, "Well, we got the contract, we didn't lose money, and we learned things no money could buy." He added, "I think what we learned from this house has given us a new perspective on our jobs and on every house we have built since. I think every one of us is a better workman today because of this house."
Now that is the kind of builder I want to build my house!
Residential architects building smaller affordable houses
RJH - I like the simplicity of the Salerno house's exterior - it would be interesting to see interior photos or the floor plan. Here is a link to an architect I quite like - specifically the Strom house and his own personal home http://www.salaarc.com/frameset.html?lo ... 93149.html
I am glad you were able to get a hold of that very important article. It should have received more attention over the years. DeReus (really his “team�) are a very important piece of the Architect, Client and Craftsman triangle. Always seems the Craftsmen never got proper recognition.. My father really enjoyed the article.
The fact of the matter is these craftsmen were absolutely sick of building the typical 1950s cardboard ranch house. They got their experience building the first Iowa Usonian. After that, they got to build the 2nd Iowa Usonian. It was second nature and moderate cost because they were now experienced with Wright’s techniques. Same as when it came to building the Reisley house – last of the 3 FLW in the neighborhood.
PNB, Glad you like Salerno. I don’t have inside pics. Other features he used were lining some interior walls with a type of sea grass wallpaper. I see it still used sometimes today. It really gives an organic feel. The current owner took down some plywood walls and replaced with sheetrock and you see in one of the pics. I think the only expensive feature to build this design today would be all the custom doors and windows. It is really a gem but will be torn down someday soon since it is a transitional neighborhood catering to the $2.5M McMasnion.
Kelly Davis is talented.
The fact of the matter is these craftsmen were absolutely sick of building the typical 1950s cardboard ranch house. They got their experience building the first Iowa Usonian. After that, they got to build the 2nd Iowa Usonian. It was second nature and moderate cost because they were now experienced with Wright’s techniques. Same as when it came to building the Reisley house – last of the 3 FLW in the neighborhood.
PNB, Glad you like Salerno. I don’t have inside pics. Other features he used were lining some interior walls with a type of sea grass wallpaper. I see it still used sometimes today. It really gives an organic feel. The current owner took down some plywood walls and replaced with sheetrock and you see in one of the pics. I think the only expensive feature to build this design today would be all the custom doors and windows. It is really a gem but will be torn down someday soon since it is a transitional neighborhood catering to the $2.5M McMasnion.
Kelly Davis is talented.
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googieagog
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Paul Ringstrom
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Paul Ringstrom
- Posts: 4400
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:53 pm
- Location: Mason City, IA
I suppose you could say that. The "art" lives on, of course. But do man's needs evolve faster than nature's ? If not, then the oak tree is a good metaphor, or even example, of the timelessness of building. If so, then we could ask "do painters paint like Breugel, or Monet, or Picasso, today ?" Why not ?
SDR
SDR
This is what has allways bothered with Taliesin, why dont they put out some plans for a updated unonian, sell it for around $1500.00 in some of the plan sites on the web.... just to get more of this type of house available on the market..... it will not be a Wright it will be a Taliesin........ and who knows maybe better ins some ways (heresy) than one of the Masters.... I have allways believed the student was supposed to surpass the Master...
Johnzer
Johnzer
No, what Wright needs is a new PR person...he needed a PR person when he was alive and he still does. His volumes of archaic prose are difficult for most people to fathom. I've been tempted to dig through them and create some kind of Wright decoder book that translates his writings into plane English.
As for Taliesin creating some pre-made plans...why wait for them, just do it yourself. There's nothing to stop you.
Deke
As for Taliesin creating some pre-made plans...why wait for them, just do it yourself. There's nothing to stop you.
Deke