Whiteford Haddock House - Ann Arbor

Education Professor · Post by **Education Professor** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:45 pm

As a follow-up to a post by SDR from last fall regarding the Whitford Haddock House in Ann Arbor (which is noted by Mark Hertzberg in his Wright in Racine book), I came across some photos earlier today which I'll post momentarily.

EP

SDR wrote:Mark Hertzberg has it covered in his Wright in Racine. Google is a great boon . . .

Monograph 6 has the plan, and an elevation with indication of re-thinking of the roof pitch.

SDR

Education Professor · Post by **Education Professor** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:59 pm

Some photos of Whitford Haddock:

Photos 1-3 Courtesy: http://www.dexterbuilders.com/what-weve ... -ann-arbor.

Before the Kitchen Remodel. Post-remodel photos can be found via the link above.

Before the Remodel.

Photo 4 Courtesy: http://www.franklloydwrightinfo.com/ima ... ddockx.jpg

Photo 5 Courtesy: http://www.franklloydwrightinfo.com/ima ... ddocki.jpg

EP

Macrodex · Post by **Macrodex** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:13 pm

Couldn't resize without it being cut-off.

Rood · Post by **Rood** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:37 pm

Coming from a very cold climate, I have always loved the design of Below Zero, which appeared both cozy and expansive ... but wonder what changes were made to the plan before construction ... as it would be fairly unlikely the new client would want a darkroom. With only one bedroom, some accommodation to new circumstances would seem almost inevitable.

Does anyone have a plan of the house as constructed?

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:42 pm

Whitford Haddock House in Ann Arbor is one of the least known Wright houses. I have not seen it published in any book, although I have not looked thru the latest three volume set by Pfeiffer. It is totally unlike anything that was built in that era. It is currently in very good condition and is owned by the ex-wife of the original client.

We visited this house fall of 2013.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:39 pm

Taschen (Pfeiffer) apparently does not present projects constructed after Wright's death.

If Dexter Builders had wanted to retain "the look and feel of the original Frank Lloyd Wright Design" in the kitchen of the Whitford-Haddock residence, they
could easily have used flat-panel cabinet doors rather than the Shaker style ones in the photos ?

SDR

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:09 pm

Agreed. The original kitchen looks great in the photos. Maybe a cleaning crew was all that would have been neccessary.

The new cabinets are by no means an improvment.

jmcnally · Post by **jmcnally** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:40 am

does anyone know the address?

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:52 am

Interesting that Heinz does not include this house in his book FLW Field Guide, but he does include other Legacy houses.

3935 Holden Dr
Ann Arbor MI 48103

jmcnally · Post by **jmcnally** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:55 am

thanks - I'll try to venture out in the snow to see it. Winter isn't fun, but it allows some views of houses that are otherwise obstructed by trees (like Palmer in Ann Arbor).

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 12:04 pm

Rood, the Roy Peterson House is one of three versions of this plan, the others being Carlson and Slater, in which sleeping accommodations were expanded as needed.

jmcnally, if you Google the address, you will see you would have to tresspass to see the house. It appears there is an easment of some length from Holden to the house, which is shielded on the north by a coppice of pine.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:22 pm

Notice the unusual placement of the perforated panels, shown on the drawings as well as the completed house..

jmcnally · Post by **jmcnally** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 1:46 pm

I'll check it out, but I won't trespass. I have family in that area (but not that neighborhood) so no trip will be wasted.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:08 pm

The Roy Petersen plan presents a very unusual condition: the sole bathroom is accessible only from a bedroom.

Below is material from Taschen on the Slater residence, with another unusual bath layout:

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 2:19 pm

These houses make a delightful group; one supposes that Mr Wright was disappointed to see them remain unbuilt in his lifetime -- and that Mr Montooth
might have been especially pleased to realize one of them, at last.

As for the perf strip location, I am reminded of the FSC Faculty House, recently completed . . .

SDR