apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Sigh!!

So beautiful - I would love to be able to tour this home. Though understandable, it is too bad his original intentions of affordability no longer apply.

Holy crap, I grew up in Sammamish. What's the address?

"...it is too bad his original intentions of affordability no longer apply."

To a certain extent, they do still apply - particularly in the use of materials and space planning. When using masonry or wood building materials, there's no need for sheetrock, paint, etc. Deep roof overhangs help protect exterior walls from the effects of the weather. No need for wall-to-wall carpets or wood on heated & stained concrete slab floors. No need for draperies on most windows and no need for much furniture in rooms that have built-in seating and storage cabinets.

There's a Louis Kahn house up for sale currently too, in Philadelphia...it's going to be auctioned off. Estimates are $2-3 million. The most expensive 1-bedroom house you will ever see, I think.

I'm actually surprised that it doesn't cost more. The area is really desirable. My parents' home has tripled in value over the past fifteen years.

bepsf - you are so right about that. My previous comment was more out of envy - and how the average middle-class family would have a hard time purchasing a home for $1.7 million. Oh how I wish!
However I am actually surprised it is not listed for more - the real estate market is insane in most areas of western Washington.

comicbookheroine--

I grew up in Sammamish too, and my best friend lived in the neighborhood above this home (Highland Park). When I saw this photo of it, it's like I knew that was the one!

Growing up I definitely didn't understand the importance of a home like this, but now I wish there were more cool mid-century modern homes available!

20/21--

You're right about $1.7M being out of the reach of the "Middle Class"...
...What's that - @ $8500/month on a 30-year with 20% down?

But I daresay if this same house were built new on 1/3-1/4 acre, it wouldn't cost half as much.

Yay Frank!

I'm going to Taliesin and The Johnson Wax Company Administration building this summer. I'm so excited. I can't wait.

Weasel Dearest is Mr. Dangerous

P. S. I wonder if the $1.7 million price tag includes any original furniture?

I've been to a party here and it is a gem. Very boat-like feel with built-ins and small spaces. Nice yard, too -- woodsy.

Wow...that's only 250 sq ft bigger than my apartment! The usonian seems so much bigger though. Granted my place was built in 1906 and is chopped up into a zillion rooms.

Why the heck isn't this way of building popular today? Seems like it would be perfect for our times.

"...it is too bad his original intentions of affordability no longer apply."

I'm not sure they ever did apply. Although his intent was affordability, usonian houses cost much more than comparably sized houses at the time they were built. They also cost more to build than Wright told the owners they would cost. These were a niche market then, just as modern "affordable" prefabs are a niche market now.

I normally don't care for Frank Lloyd Wright. Has anybody been to the museum/home tour in Oak Park? That house appeals to me logically but leaves me cold emotionally. But this one looks good. I really like it.

T8
www.strangeclosets.com

When design takes priority, the result is often strange closets.

While it's beautiful, I can't say I'd ever want to live there. It allows for very little customization or even just bringing in one's own furniture, artwork, and design preferences.

"To a certain extent, they do still apply..."

Nope. Masonry and stain-grade wood interior finishes are significantly more expensive than sheetrock and paint, both in materials and labor. The equipment and installation costs for hydronic radiant to heat concrete floors are pretty much astronomical, and built-in millwork is an additional cost above standard construction that is unlikely to be less than the cost of purchasing furniture (unless you do all your shopping at dwr, anyway...)

That's even leaving aside the costs for the huge runs of glazing, and the structural gymnastics to make the glazing work.

Probably, 'half as much' as 1.7m isn't an unreasonable estimate. But that's still not affordable.