Herbert and Katherine Jacobs First House
Herbert and Katherine Jacobs First House, Frank Lloyd Wright residential masterwork in Madison, United States
The residence features a flat roof, cantilevered overhangs, and large windows that fill interior spaces with natural light throughout different times of day.
Built in 1937, this house marked the beginning of Wright's Usonian architectural concept, designed to provide accessible housing solutions for middle-class American families.
The building demonstrates how American residential architecture evolved in the 20th century through innovative spatial arrangements and connection with the natural environment.
Located at 441 Toepfer Avenue, the house maintains its original features while incorporating energy-efficient elements through strategic placement of windows and roof design.
Each interior element, from built-in furniture to window placement, follows Wright's principle of creating harmony between architecture and daily living needs.
Location: Madison
Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright
Official opening: 1937
Architectural style: modern architecture
Part of: The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright
Website: http://usonia1.com
GPS coordinates: 43.05861,-89.44167
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:51
Frank Lloyd Wright developed one of the most influential architectural styles of the 20th century over seven decades of practice. His buildings connect interior spaces with surrounding landscapes through horizontal lines, natural materials, and open floor plans. From the Prairie Houses of the Midwest to the post-war Usonian homes, Wright created designs that transformed American residential architecture. His major works include Fallingwater, built over a waterfall in Pennsylvania, the Guggenheim Museum in New York with its spiral ramp, and the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, which survived the great 1923 earthquake. The Robie House in Chicago demonstrates his Prairie School principles, while Taliesin West in Arizona served as his winter home and architecture school. His structures are located across the United States, Japan, and Europe, demonstrating his vision of organic architecture that works in harmony with nature.
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