Usonian houses like these were Wright’s answer to the Great Depression. Having built projects for wealthy clients and major cultural organizations throughout his career, in the 1930s Wright wanted to democratize his designs, with features that made them both aesthetically appealing and deeply connected to their natural surroundings. The characteristics of Usonian homes varied depending on the specific budgets of Wright’s clients and their sites, but the following represents the most common attributes of his Usonian designs: Usually about 1,200 square feet or smaller, Usonian houses have flat roofs, numerous large windows optimized for natural light, built-in shelving, open floor plans, carports, and no basement. Though not exactly affordable tract housing, the Usonian ideal is attainable and has many smart design innovations that are still appealing today, like radiant heat from concrete slab flooring and lots of natural materials.
“Our mantra and mission while following FLW’s plan #5909 was to always ask the question ‘What would Frank do?’ to stay true to his vision and methods,” Sarah tells AD. The pair got a freshly scanned set of architectural plans for Project #5909 from Columbia University’s Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, and worked closely with the Wright Building Conservancy who referred them to architect Dan Nichols, a fellow owner of a Frank Lloyd Wright home. “We also had Mr. Bing Hu, a student at Taliesin and current Trustee for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, make an onsite visit. His visit was probably the most nerve-wracking of the journey, given his pedigree and relationship with the Foundation,” Sarah says. “This visit is a part of the show, so I won’t spill the beans!”
Seven years after finding the plans underneath a seating area in the Penfield House, RiverRock House is complete, and viewers of The Last Wright will get up close and personal with the Dykstras as they navigate each delicate step of the process. These days, Sarah and Debbie are enjoying the serenity and natural delights of RiverRock House, which is situated exactly where Wright intended. “The location of the house takes advantage of Mr. Wright’s insight into passive solar energy. It lets in maximum daylight on the Vernal Equinox, yet no sunlight indoors on the Summer Solstice. There is a juxtaposition with the roof angles on the window wall side of the house. The bedroom roof line angle bends downward and feels protective from the elements, whereas the living room roof line extends upwards pushing your view outside into the elements. So many elements of the home are descriptive in this way; almost every quiet time spent inside of RiverRock House leads visitors to a new discovery of its intent and genius.”