Wright Chat

I was looking at recent Flickr FLW photos and I saw these. It is a Jacobs II house, from the caption it is stating it is a Frank Lloyd Wright house. I see that is is definitely inspired by Jacobs II, but is it a legacy house somehow? Or did someone "take" the idea? Any ideas? Here is a link to the photos. The other photos are on this page too, just scroll down. Also if you search his photos and type Frank Lloyd Wright, you can see them a bit larger.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billadams/2299419072/


I knew about the Golf course that is Wright inspired, there is an article herehttp://starbulletin.com/2006/07/03/feat ... ory01.html

I believe this was based on the unbuilt Marden Project translated from stone into brick by TAA in either the 80s or 90s. I also believe the scale was increased.

I remembered seeing something about this home on HGTV:

Crescent Moon House - #1

Crescent Moon House - #2


David

The house was based on an unbuilt 1954 design for a client in East or West Goshen, PA (Philly 'burbs), and built in the late '90's. The original is in the monographs; this is the first design for the '54 client, the second was nearly the same except the hemicycle was straightened to an inline plan to save cost. FLLW Quarterly did an article on the house's construction in the late 90's or in 2000.

FLLW Quarterly did an article on the house's construction in the late 90's or in 2000.

Thanks for all of the information! I had never heard about this home. If anyone knew which issue I would appreciate it. I looked on their site and it lists some of the articles, but not all of them. I didn't see where a home in Hawaii was one of the topics.

Thanks again. TnGuy, DRN, and Roderick!!

I stayed in this house for a week long FLW seminar run by John and Kay Rattenbury. It is called the Sims House and John is the architect of record. It is a Legacy house. It is a fabulous livable house that is sited perfectly to take advantage of the constant NE breezes. It is bermed up to the second floor windows which when opened allow the breeze to flow through and out the tall door on the SW side. There is no furnace or air conditioning as the temperatures are about 70 degrees year round. There is a working fireplace for cool evenings. It is located on the Big Island. It backs up to a large stream and the Pohakuloa Military Reserve which can not be developed. You can see, in the distance, the snow covered tops of the mountains to the NW and the lava flows from the active volcano to the SW from the patio. The house is built out of blocks (one wythe) that were made from crushed coral. I was told that the corners of the blocks had to be cut to get curve of the wall causing the bricklayer to only be able to lay about 75 brick a day and yes, the actual cost was three times the estimate.

I believe Roderick Grant may be right and the scale of the house was changed. It was very rare Wright designed Usonian houses this large (sft.). Intimacy lost. There are 2 sheets of drawings in Vol. 8 of the Monograph. Some observations:

- Settee was never built. Was supposed to go around the round mass ending near the fireplace.
- There was supposed to be a round indoor/outdoor “pool� This pool was to be located in middle off to the side of the alcove. It doesn’t look like a swimming pool but a lilly pool.
- The windows in the kitchen appears to be changed to one large on above sink (as in traditional houses). Wright drew in several slotted keyhole windows as in Haynes.


I was also surprised Wright gave this house such a tiny fireplace.

I think the house came out well. But, it is still not 100% Wright’s vision.

It's also listed for sale. I believe the price was $2,900,000, but am not sure. I just saw an ad in a local real estate magazine in Hawaii last week and hadn't had time to check on line to learn more.

Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45747476@N ... 069921762/

The home is located at 62-2145-A OULI ST, Kanehoa Subdiv, outside of Waimea, Hawaii on the Kawaihae Road # 19.

Here is the most shocking part: Current Taxes: $7,973

From the listing:
Search criteria: MLS Number 206322
MLS DATA: Residential Property MLS # 206322
Property Type: Res-Condo TMK # 3-6-2-9-2-2 Status: Active Price: $2,900,000
Address: 62-2145-A OULI ST Tenure: Fee simple
Sub/Neigh: Kanehoa Subdiv Zoning: A-5A Land Area: 2.82 ac
Block: Lot: District: South Kohala Easement:
Utilities: County Water, Telephone Service, Underground Electric Flood Zone:
Waste Disposal: Septic Roads: County, Paved
Schools: HPA, Parker Record Sys.:
PROPERTY DESCRIPTORS
Bedrooms: 4 Addl Rooms: Dining Area, Laundry Room Year built: 1995 Pool:None
Baths: 3.50 Living Area : 3,700 Other Area: Disclosure Form: Yes
Exterior: Deck, Patio Exterior Area: View: Mountain, Ocean Golf Frontage: No
Inclusions: Carpet, Window coverings, Disposal, Drive, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Floor Tile, Furniture, Graded, Landscaped, Laundry, Microwave, Refrigerator, Range, Smoke/Heat Detector, Security, Solar, Spa, *See Remarks, Stream, Washer Oceanfront: No
Design: 2Story, *See Remarks Exterior Finish: *See Remarks Roof: *See Remarks
Car Storage: 2Car, Carport Garage/CP Size: Substructure: Concrete Slab Basement Type:
Remarks: A chance of a lifetime to own the only Frank Lloyd Wright design house in the State of Hawaii! Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959) is widely considered the greatest American architect of all time. He conceived this magnificent, passive-solar, hemicycle home in 1954. It was ultimately built in 1995 in Hawaii on a spectacular promontory overlooking a seasonal stream. This mid-century modern home has stunning views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai mountains, 4 bedrooms, 3 and 1/2 baths, 2 fireplaces and an artfully sculpted to look like natural stone hot tub outdoors. It features a 120 degree arc with cylindrical tower, a "suspended" second story and Wright's signature red polished concrete floors. The integrity of Wright's design is also shown in the furnishings, which include the architect's famous "barrel" and "Taliesin" chairs, crafted of handsome cherrywood. The exterior and interior walls are made of coral concrete, and the roof is made out of elastomeric foam. This estate is located a short 5 minute drive from Waimea town, and a short 10 minute drive to the Big Island's best beaches and resorts. Information herein may contain inaccuracies and is provided without warranty/guaranty of any kind. Buyer/Buyer's representative must independently verify any information they deem material or important.
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Current Taxes: $7,973 Home Exempt. Amt.: $160,000 Spec. Assess.: Spec. Assess. Amt.:
Terms Acceptable: Cash, Conventional Road Maint. Amt/yr.:
- MORTGAGES - - SELLER FINANCING -
1st Balance: $0 1st Assumable: Min. Down: Interest Rate: %
2nd Balance: $0 Existing Loan Type: Term: Max. Loan Amt.:
LEASEHOLD DETAILS
Lessor:
LH Rent: LH Exp. Date:
Reneg: Fee Avail:
OTHER PARTICULARS
Assoc. Dues/mon.: $460 Common Area: CC&R's: Yes

Thanks for all of the great information! This looks like a great house. If it is "Wright" or not.. I really like this design.

Here is the listing:

http://www.hawaii-properties.net/206322/index.html

Also, the there is a monthly assessment/common charge or something on top of the property tax bill mentioned above.

HI is the land where 2L carton of milk costs $7.50-$9.00 and a loaf of bread costs $6.00. In Ft. Wayne milk is $2.65 gal.

SANDY SIMS HOUSE on Waimea

Article w/photos
https://blog.buildllc.com/2015/02/what- ... yd-wright/

Spectacular almost-Wright home. The copper facia alone makes it stand out among Usonians, few of which were built with that feature. It seems a shame that, considering how much went into this project, that custom radiused block wasn't created. I believe there are only three different radii (back wall, core, fireplace) which would have required differing blocks---as well as straight ones. It sounds like construction was slowed considerable because the mason had to shape the sides of each block, in order not to have open vertical joints on the exterior of the walls.

Thanks for a new look at this interesting commission.

S

How Frank Lloyd Wright Got Into My Head, Under My Skin and Changed The Way I Think About Thinking: A Creative Thinking Blueprint for the 21st Century


David

SDR,
The "copper fascia" is fake, to save money. It is made of foam and painted.

If I remember properly, the original house was designed for Pennsylvania, thus the plans originally called for a double exterior wall with insulation, etc. This idea was dropped when they found out how long it was taking to lay up the bricks.

Due to the temperate climate, there is no furnace just a fireplace if needed.

Sandy Sims, the author of the book mentioned above, was the client for this HA house.