Wright-Sized Houses: Frank Lloyd Wright's Solutions for Making Small Houses Feel Big

by Diane Maddex

Only book on the master architect that focuses on the house of moderate cost, turning the spotlight on Wright's ingenious solutions to make homes look and feel large.

Genres: Architecture, Design, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 2003

Reviews

[Erika RS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other than the terrible pun in the title, this was a pretty good book. The book is divided into two parts. The first part describes some of the techniques Wright used. The second part has a number of case studies. The degree to which you'll like this book is probably directly proportional to the degree to which you like Frank Lloyd Wright (and are not already familiar with his techniques and homes).

I list some principles from the book. Note that some are more universal than others.

Outside
- The site: Build with the land to capture light and views
- The horizontal line: Stress horizontals for a sense of spaciousness (applies indoors and out)
- Cantilevers: Design dramatic overhangs to symbolize freedom (meh)
- Roofs: Stretch the roofline parallel to the ground (really, this is just one form 'sheltering roof' can take)
- Chimneys: Avoid an undersized chimney on a big roof
- Entrance: Properly scale the entrance and add mystery (I like this one)
- Natural Materials: Tie a house to the earth with wood or masonry (this is like Alexander's 'connection to the earth' pattern)
- Walls: Use walls as screens to free outside and inside (i.e., walls are screens, not sides of a box)
- Windows: Don't simply punch holes in a wall for windows (again, related to the ideas that homes are not boxes, they are screened shelters)
- Standardized components: Economize on construction and material (good, sensible suggestion)
- Private spaces: Create a private side, away from the street (in Wright's homes, this was often take to the point where the public side of the home was almost completely closed off and the private side was almost fully open to the outdoors)
- Outdoor rooms: Bring the outside in with terraces and balconies
- Landscapes: Plant native materials to complement the house
- Carports: Build a carport to extend the line of the house (what's the best way to extend this to garages?)
- Additions: Expand when a house becomes too small

Inside
- Unity: Base the design on one central idea (good idea, but could be taken too far)
- Space: Design a house from the inside out
- Open plans: Substitute free-flowing spaces for boxy rooms (this idea was so influential that it's almost a "well, duh" at this point)
- Human scale: Size interior spaces to avoid intimidation (but make sure that the ceilings are high enough not to oppress my tall friends)
- Foyers: Create an entry to shield the living area
- Varied levels: Compress space in one area, open it in another
- Ceilings: Dramatize heights by fooling the eye ("High ceilings pull the walls in. Low ceilings push them away.")
- Walls and screens: Reconfigure walls as subtle dividers and screens (vital in open plans to provide the necessary definition of space)
- Window walls: Maximize views and access to the outdoors (I must admit that I am more a fan of 'zen view' than window walls)
- Clerestories: Place windows high up for privacy, light, and air
- Glass features: Use skylights and mitered corners to add light (mitered corner windows are awesome looking, but are they worth the added cost?)
- Fireplaces: Pivot rooms around the family hearth (yes!)
- Wood decks: Install broad ledges to make a room look wider (these are upper decks, soffit like things at the edges of rooms)
- Lighting and heating: Use indirect systems to diffuse light and heat
- Kitchens: Keep the workspace compact and within reach
- Dining areas: Set aside part of the living room for dining
- Built-ins: Build in furnishings to unify and free up space (I do love built ins!)
- Furnishings: Make furnishings part of the entire compositions
- Natural colors: Echo nature in the interior design palette
- Ornament: Integrate decoration into the architecture
- Harmony: Relate design motifs to the overall theme
- Simplicity: Simply the home to simplify life within it

[Henry Sturcke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by an unabashed fan of Wright and all his works. I would have liked more coverage of aspects of design and construction that didn't work out as the architect hoped. Nevertheless, I'm glad I read this book. It is sensibly-organized: the first part outlines Wright's principles in attacking the challenge of building small homes at a reasonable price; the second part features many of his landmark buildings, showing these principles applied, with many photos and a basic floor-plan. We are living more than a century after Wright began articulating his vision. On the one hand, many of his innovations have passed into the public domain as common-sense solutions; yet on the other hand, it is cause for despair how many MacMansions have been built in the past few decades, flagrantly disregarding these principles and failing to enhance the lives of their owners while emptying their pocketbooks. An excellent book, recommended.

[Mike Violano · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction by author Diane Maddox to the principle designs and ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian homes. The book features wonderfully illustrated "not so big homes" complete with furnishings from the early to mid 20th century. Floor to ceiling windows invite nature inside with abundant natural light. Open living spaces define the inside; entry way, dining room and living room flow together. High ceilings create the illusion of spaciousness and fireplaces are present in every home. Kitchens tend to be small with compact work spaces. The second half of the book details ten small homes (nearly all 1200 square feet or less) complete with illustrations and floor plans. Recommended reading for Fran Lloyd Wright fans and followers.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of pictures, floor plans and text demonstrates Frank Lloyd Wright's designing principles. I like many of them, like the open floor plan, lots of light, many windows on private side of house and fitting into the surrounding landscape. However, I really don't like his color scheme of autumn colors.

[Katie MacMorran · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a detail oriented person who loves DIY, home design and architecture: I am the niche target audience. I found FLW’s strategies for how to make building a home more economical fascinating. His thoughtful approach to how he wanted spaces to feel/function spurred some lightbulb moments for how I’ll be approaching my own space moving forward.

[MKF · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more I learn about Frank Lloyds houses I'm not as impressed as I once was. I still like the exteriors of the handful of homes that still retain the looks of older homes but the more modern looking I don't like.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cool overview of the features Wright typically used with photo examples and some floorplans. A great intro to Wright's style.

[Christopher May · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different side of Wright is on display within these pages. Most Wright discussion always seems to start with Fallingwater or the Guggenheim or Unity Temple or any of the myriad other marquee projects that defined his career. However, as much or possibly even more of his genius can be found in the smaller projects that he took on. That he took on these projects is remarkable in and of itself. That he gave them the same amount of attention as he did to larger projects is one of his most endearing qualities.

This book does a wonderful job of explaining how Wright made small spaces seem larger and talks about some of the design philosophies that make any Wright space (whether it be the Johnson Wax headquarters or the most modest of the Usonian houses) special. The photography is attractive and illustrates concepts well. The text is engaging and informative. The plans of the featured houses tie it all together.

Very highly recommended for any Wright fan or for anyone looking to build a small house and make it seem bigger.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wright just does so many things right. I've just added his roof to my plan, complete with the overhang over the porch, which I have moved to the water side of the loft now that I am confident of shelter from the sun. Thank you FLW.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice pictures, and I agree with the premise.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everytime I learn something new about Frank Lloyd Wright, I become more impressed with his body of work. What an astonishing forward thinking designer!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

.... these are "small"??

[Ambur Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites....I love that there are always built-ins and book shelves along with the rest of the amazing design.