Gerald B. and Beverley Tonkens House

The Gerald B. and Beverley Tonkens House is a single-story residence in Amberley designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1954. It contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms arranged around a large gathering space with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interior with natural light.

The residence was commissioned after Gerald Tonkels met Wright at his Taliesin studio and asked him to design an affordable modern home. It embodied Wright's Usonian Automatic philosophy, which emerged following the Great Depression to address the need for accessible housing.

The house was designed to bring family life into one flowing space rather than dividing rooms into separate chambers. The large central room reflects Wright's belief that homes should support how people actually gather and spend time together.

The residence is accessible by car from a main drive and sits in a quiet neighborhood setting with ample parking. You should check ahead for open-house hours since visits are available only on certain occasions.

The interior is lined with Philippine mahogany paneling that gives the space a warm, woody character throughout. Built-in furniture is integrated into the home's structure, with a cantilevered fireplace in the main gathering room serving as a striking architectural detail.

Location: Cincinnati

Location: Amberley

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright

GPS coordinates: 39.19569,-84.41485

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:10