Fine John Howe house for sale

[SDR]

We can learn from Wright's most talented followers -- as negative example. That is, minor faults exhibited in their work illustrates the mastery of their mentor. In the case of this house, the suave continuity of material and detail is somewhat spoiled, for me, by the repeated intrusion of roof structure into the wall/ceiling juncture -- to such an extent that I imagine the architect being embarrassed by his failure in the matter.

Mr Wright virtually always avoided uncomfortable distractions of this kind, in his sublime and (clearly) carefully-thought-out interior spaces -- at every phase of the career . . .

SDR

[Roderick Grant]

I understand what you say, SDR, but when contemplating the work of the lesser lights (and who among them is not?), it is best to allow them a little slack. For non-FLW houses, I prefer such examples as Villa Mairea, Maison Dalsace or Deanery Garden, where the architect had no intention of emulating the Master. It sets one free of comparison.

Thus He spake: "Again: I found repeatedly confirmed that the inferior mind not only learns by comparison, but loosely confers its superlatives, while the superior mind, which learns by analysis, refrains from superlatives."

[peterm]

I noticed that Howe incorporated HVAC into the design. Could some of the unsightly ceiling stuff be the result of conceliaing ductwork?

[DRN]

SDR:
Are you referring to the triangular wood details between the high windows, presumably wrapping roof beams? If so, those were in use in Wright's Clarke Arnold house in Columbus, WI:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/56 ... 390a6e.jpg

The Arnold house was a built version of the Bush/Thaxton/Arnold series. Howe was apprentice in charge and even designed an addition for the house (making it a 'Y' plan) based on Wright's comment on how the house type could be expanded.

If you are referring to the ceiling and trim alternately following the roof pitch out of view above soffits in some areas, while turning down to the vertical in others...I see your point. Pick one and stick with it would have been my preference.

[SDR]

It is the condition common to these five photos which I find unfortunate: the premature termination of the broad band of trim as it reaches the exterior wall of the house. It is the result, apparently, of a choice to lower the eave line below a point that would have avoided the interior condition -- while it does provide for a pleasant visible soffit plane outside the glass.












I do give the "also-rans" a necessary degree of slack. My point in this post was that we can learn something about Wright by looking at the work of the others. Wright's consistent ability to circumvent distracting error is the sort of blessing which is, by its presence, self-concealing. We have sometimes to see work in which it is absent to appreciate the blessing.

SDR

[JimM]

Difficult to be too critical of Howe's work, but a new designation could be Prairie-Usonian; most of the "inspired"'s combine anything Wrightian that can be stuffed in.

[Roderick Grant]

If the feature you point out, SDR, happened only once, or even twice, it could count as an error, but here it seems to have been a conscious choice. I cannot say I like that choice, but I wouldn't discredit the entire house because of it.