Herbert and Katherine Jacobs Second House, Solar Hemicycle residence in Middleton, United States
The Herbert and Katherine Jacobs Second House is a residential structure with a semicircular floor plan located in Middleton, Wisconsin. Its south-facing wall consists of continuous glass panels, while earth berms rise against the other three sides to provide wind protection and thermal insulation.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed this residence in 1944 as a second home for journalists Herbert and Katherine Jacobs. The project introduced passive solar heating principles that would influence residential design thinking in the decades ahead.
The National Park Service listed this property on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 for its contribution to American architectural advancement.
The residence is accessible by car via Shawn Trail and welcomes visitors interested in learning how buildings respond to their environment. The layout and window orientation demonstrate practical solutions to heating challenges in cold climates.
The foundations use crushed stone rather than concrete as their support layer, an experimental building method from the 1940s. This approach reflects Wright's willingness to test alternative materials and construction techniques for residential projects.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
