A great name of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright gave birth to a singular and unprecedented architectural grammar, notably expressed through Usonian architecture. On the occasion of the sale of a house designed by Wright and defined as Usonian, Acumen examines the essence of this very special typology.

Heading for Michigan. In this northeastern U.S. state, fans of Frank Lloyd Wright's work could potentially treat themselves to a building designed by the American architect. "The David and Christine Weisblat House is an extraordinary Usonian home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that captures the essence of his iconic organic architectural philosophy," assures the agency in charge of its sale, Ethos Real Estate Team. The building is also a member of the great Usonian family, of which Lloyd is the father. Let's take a look at the family traits.

Meaning 

The origins of the term are unclear. But according to an article published on the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation website, the term "Usonia" means United States of North America, and is attributed to the writer James Duff Law, who first wrote it in 1903. Our architect is said to have wrongly attributed it to Samuel Butler in his book "Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture: Selected Writings 1894-1940" as follows: "Samuel Butler gave us a good name. He called us Usonians, and our nation of united states, Usonia." 

Historical background 

In 1929, an unprecedented stock market crash hit the United States, giving rise to the Great Depression. American life was profoundly affected, and the housing sector was no exception. In tune with the times, Lloyd Wright sought to create low-cost architecture.

The first Usonian house

His vision took shape with the Jacobs House, in 1936, at the request of journalist Herbert Jacobs. Jacobs asked him to design a house in Wisconsin costing no more than $5,000. A curious request, given that the architect tended to build for the more affluent. In addition to building on a tight budget, Lloyd Wright proposed a house integrated into the American landscape. 

Silhouette 

The Weisblat house is also in the Usonian style. Horizontal lines, broad cantilevered roofs and large bay windows create a fluidity between interior and exterior spaces, while echoing Wright's prairie architecture typology. This was designed to integrate naturally with its surroundings, and celebrates the American's commitment to organic architecture, where the structure itself is at one with nature.

Also, large windows and French doors open onto outdoor terraces and a private garden, creating continuity between the interior and the surroundings. Thanks to the use of overhanging eaves and carefully studied sightlines, the house appears both spacious and connected to the landscape.

photo credit : 

“Photography: Andy Schwartz – Stylish Detroit” alongside each instance of image usage.