Build a Usonian?

[guest]

I have been researching the Usonian house idea for a number of years, and wonder if this is a useful model for today. Is the family of today willing to sacrifice square footage for beauty? Does proper site orientation and easy access to the outdoors effectively make a larger house? Are natural materials expressed as themselves more important than decoration? Is a house of natural materials on a heated cement slab, without wall cavities healthier to live in? Can we give up the idea of house-as-investment, and live there forever? Can we find a rugged, difficult site with an expansive view to the southeast, that will help warm and cool itself, and stimulate the imagination of the designer? Are there designers who can give us an economical, beautiful, and timeless design?



These are some thoughts that come to mind. I believe it is a wonderful concept, and much better than what we are presently building as a nation. FLLW wrote extensively on the idea ("The Natural House" is one of the best), and built many versions suited to a variety of climate, site, and client conditions. So we have many built examples.



Are there people reading this who want such a house? Would a physician be happy in the tiny 1 1/2 bedroom Zimmerman house? Would an engineer hand-build the Berger house? Did it all happen only because FLLW was the architect?



Looking for comments from interested people, and responses that not only tell us why we can't do it, but how we can.

[Rob]

I hope that you don

[hipcat]

Interesting response, perhaps the California Usonias were more successful then, Mrs. Berger recently had to move out of her house due to health reasons, but family still owns it. The Beuhlers still occupy their home since 1948 or so, Mrs. frank still lives in the Bazett house since the late 40's. The Fawcetts, Waltons, all still occupied the the owners. All love their homes, and their memories of working with Wright and his apprentices.

Finding enlightened people to love the homes in the same way after the owners leave will be the problem.

[ed]

Can a Usonian house be built today? A complex question.

Certainly there are no technical impediments to doing so. The radiant

floor heating systems of today are much improved over the pioneering

efforts by Wright and can be used in slabs or under hardwood floors.

SIPs (structural insulated panels) are todays answer to the 3 layer

sandwich of the early Usonians. Further, SIPs can be used for the roof

as well and if the spans are not too great. as in some of Wright's narrow, in line plans (Baird, Euchman,Pratt, et al) could be the roof structure as well. On the flat roof designs the pitch for drainage, which Wright often ignored, could be done with tapered insulation under the roofing membrane. Could the 3 ply sandwich be used for interior walls? A qualified 'yes', if the building code allows. Probably more of a question of fitting the electrical outlets in, as it was in Wright's day. Could the use of low voltage systems solve most of this problem? Probably.

As to the "look' of the Usonian. Are we talking the mostly wood and masonry early houses? Well wood siding is readily available, though

certainly not easily found in the wide dimensions and wood species

favored by FLW. Brick is still brick, stone is still stone, though some insulation between inner and outer layers is advisable.

Regarding floor plan issues, one would need to keep the local building codes in mind. Unless you are building in an area not under a model or

other code, forget about the narrow (2 ft.) corridors as in the Penfield

House. Also the egress requirments out of bedrooms might preclude the

narrow windows or french doors of some designs. And if the code is

not an issue, your friendly insurance company might have something to say if you want it insured.

So, can a Usonian clone be done today. I think one could come pretty

close. Not the overblown, over contemporized versions being put out

by Taliesin, but something much closer to the original idea of a small

gem. As to whether an individual, or family, wants to trade quantity for

quality, that remains for them to answer.

A final word as to my qualifications for all this rambling thought.

Twenty five years as an architect, though not in single family residential

design, and a lifetime of admiration for FLWs accomplishment in bringing

the Usonian concept into being.

[JimM]

Ed, et al...a thought-



Remember, that to consider a true Wright home anything other than a work of art tends to take one off the mark.



Their actual "success" is only relative to how the original owners who commisioned them functioned in them. If you did not want a home designed by FLLW, you did not commission one from him. If you prefer the comfy couch scenario, you should not buy one.



I can understand the interest in contemplating what a usonian/Wright house "is", and what it would be like to live in one, etc, and it can make for interesting discussion. But their true value will always be as physical evidence of a Wright house. At best you might get a reasonable facsimile today, as many have tried to do.



The common concerns mentioned are exactly why Taliesin and others have been so willing to accomodate clients by actually NOT giving them something Wright would have, but just a "style", as evidenced by the criteria problematic issues usually cited. Code compliance and comfort issues usually used to justify building fauxFrank are not convincing factors preventing a good architect from providing a well designed home; be it usonian, organic or whatever.

[Guest]

In making the original post, I was wondering about the relevance of the Usonian concept in today's America. The is an especially good group to ask, because you have at least some idea what a Usonian house might be. Many have first hand experiences, even from the master himself, which humbles me more than a little.

But I have a personal concern for own Minnesota lakes that are also experiencing the tear-down craze of her little cottages, in favor of completely inappropriate oversized vinyl boxes. I have studied the FLLW Usonians, and found the organic method of design very compatible with our lakeshores. It seems that it is also a good concept in many other parts of the country, where enlightened clients may experience what these beautiful houses may offer.

When I refer to the Usonian concept, it is FLLW's Usonian idea applied to this generation of clients, by architects capable of genuine organic design. FLLW's built work is a valuable study reference in this pursuit. That means we can't take standard design, and apply Wrightian features. We must create a poem that harmonizes client lifestyle, site conditions, and the materials available. A very compact size seems to express the idea most artfully.

So what about materials? Take a walk through Home Depot. See anything you like? It's a stretch to find an artfull expression of vinyl, but I won't say it can't be done. I sure like wood, glass, and masonry after that effort. Are no-maintenance materials really that, or does it mean no-maintenance-possible. Just rip it off and throw it away when it becomes shabby. The maintenance problems of a true FLLW Usonian must be considered honestly. Design, workmanship, and upkeep are all a part of it. Doug Kottom, Battle Lake, MN

[tsutton]

Of course you can build a Usonian today. See my web site:usonianredhouse.com



Tim

[John Donnelly]

Of course you can build a Usonian today. See my web site



Tim

Tim,

I truly enjoyed your website, and the story of the construction of your home.

What are your thoughts on the flat roof Usonian designs?

Like the Gordon House in Oregon?

(since it is my first post, it wouldn't let me provide a link to their site about the house)

Is is practical or smart to attempt a flat roof design like that today?

Thank you for any insight or comment on this that you would be willing to share.

-John

[Tolley]

When looking at the Usonian as we know it, there are three distinct elements to it, the concept of organic architecture, his genius as an architect and his eye as an artist. The simple truth is, you can not have a masterpiece FLW Usonian without FLW. For comparison it is like trying to make a new Beethoven symphony or Renoir painting, you just can’t do it without the original genius.

There has never been a non FLW Usonian that holds up to the originals because it is impossible to match the elements described above. Instead I recommend trying to create your own home if an original FLW is out of the question. There are some really great organic architects out there, but they are not FLW and do not claim to be, they make their own art and many of their clients are every bit as happy as any FLW client ever was. What you get isn’t FLW, but if you find an architect who believes in the same principles as you and he properly designs a house for you, then you will have something you can really be happy with.

There is no doubt that it is a bummer. I also researched the avenue of creating a faux Usonian, but in the end I knew it would pale in comparison to the real thing and to be honest I wouldn’t fit my life style. I’m a car guy with 4 cars. I love doing wood work and need a shop, and my wife refuses to ever have a cement floor, just to name a few of the reasons. In the end I think it is best to appreciate what FLW has done and to be inspired by it, but to try and copy it is not necessarily the best way to go.

[Jeff Myers]

I think you would call Usonian a style. In which case means that Usonian Revival would be what it is today. I know for a fact that when I become an Architect that I will make Usonian Revival my Trademark. I don't want teachers telling me how to do things and that is my biggest fear but I will prosper hopefuly from that and get my degree in a few years.

[KevinW]

Jeff, thats why I quit Architecture school, and Became an Architect. You can still do that in California. The great state of California has the understanding that an Architecture degree does not an Architect make! I chose the work equivalency path, after 5 years you are eligible to start taking the exams, and after 8 years you are eligible for the supplemental (oral) exam, a California thing. Working under Architects who worked with Wright, Gropius, Vernon Demarrs, etc...was my school. I have never regretted it for a moment, but its not for everyone.
Good luck with the Usonia Revival thing, it will be a tough nut to crack, I hope you are independantly wealthy.

[Roderick Grant]

I say art cannot be taught. One is either an artist or not. One can learn craft, which is to say, in architectural terms, how to design a building so that it will not collapse, how to use materials, etc., and one can be taught architectural history, but one cannot be made into an artist. It should be allowed to practice architecture (but not structural engineering) without setting foot in any school or taking any test.

[dkottum]

R Grant, I believe you have hit the nail squarely on the head. It is possible to practice architecture without schooling or testing, you just can't legally call it architecture or yourself an architect. If you produce a building that rises to the level of art, you are only an artist.

Trouble is, there are few people looking for artists who design homes.

[hypnoraygun]

Trouble is, there are few people looking for artists who design homes.

But there are people who pay "artists" to design public buildings. I am saying this tongue in cheek here, but I'm referring to Frank Gehry. In my opinion, that is what he is.

and to be honest I wouldn’t fit my life style. I’m a car guy with 4 cars. I love doing wood work and need a shop, and my wife refuses to ever have a cement floor, just to name a few of the reasons.

To me, this quote also defines the issue which has been discussed at length. (I would also like to build a Usonian of my own) Every time I mention certain aspects to my girlfriend she says, "It wouldn't be very marketable." and "The closets aren't big enough." ect..

Tolley, you are somewhat making my point there. People in today's age (and as well as in "Wright's time") do not/did not want a small kitchen, car port, minimal closets, ect... But fortunately for us all there WERE people that said, "Yes, I can do this".. I think as an indirect (or possibly direct?) result of Wright's Usonian homes, he made people want what he designed, or forced them to deal and live in it through his designs.

I think if someone truly wants a Usonian, they need to ask themselves if they could live without some of the things we think are necessities. I find it intriguing that people who live in small apartments (myself included here!) say things like, "I couldn't live in a small house! I would have to have a garage! I need large closets!"

Well.. you don't have a garage now, or large closets, or a lot of room.. ect..

I think people CAN make it, and do make it in a Wright Usonian.. Sometimes they may not realize it. It is the choices of things we need to give up to get a closer step to Usonia.

[dkottum]

The Usonian house should be considered an "idea" rather than a style, as described by the old man in "The Natural House". And I believe it is the artist who throughly understands the concept of organic architecture that may produce a truly satisfying house.

The person who needs large closets, kitchens, media rooms and such ought to look elsewhere. The Usonian idea is also a lifestyle. Closets, baths, kitchens were kept small in relation to living and terrace space not only for economy, but more importantly to improve the spatial experience.

I think there may be at least three thoughts on Usonian homes. An original FLLW (many of which have been altered or enlarged), a replica of an original, or a modern home designed organically by an artist familiar with the Usonian idea. I suspect what some people want is to live in one of these little works of art, and experience the joy that it may give. There is more than one way to do it.