Mushroom House

The Mushroom House is a residential building in Hyde Park featuring warped cedar shingles, circular porthole windows, and a cone-shaped glass room extending from its main structure on Erie Avenue. The distinctive form resulted from custom craftsmanship and experimental construction techniques.

Architecture professor Terry Brown began transforming a simple bungalow into an experimental residence in 1992, working continuously until completion in 2006. This extended project allowed for gradual innovation and the development of unconventional design solutions.

The house represents an architectural philosophy centered on human scale and intimate living spaces. This approach deliberately contrasts with the monumental style of large institutional buildings.

The house can be viewed from the exterior at the intersection of Erie and Tarpis Avenues, where parking is available at nearby businesses. The location provides clear sightlines and easy access for observing the structure from the street.

Metal workers, glass artists, and architecture students from the University of Cincinnati collaborated to create the house's hand-cut shingles and stained glass elements. This partnership between craftspeople and academic students was essential to realizing the experimental design.

Location: Cincinnati

Inception: 2006

Address: 3331 Erie Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208

GPS coordinates: 39.14120,-84.42370

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:06