Frank Lloyd Wright, Bachman-Wilson House

Frank Lloyd Wright, Bachman-Wilson House (originally built on the bank of the Millstone River, New Jersey, now on the campus of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville), 1956

A conversation with Alan Meyer, volunteer, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Steven Zucker

[marqbarq]

I’ve had the honor to visit 5 Wright homes. Thank you for showing us this one. Even his “affordable” homes were spectacular, with all those built ins.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasher]

I believe what sets Wright apart from many famous architects of his time and of today is that he took the commissions in designing homes for middle class people. This home is from 1956, just a few years before his death. You see today's most well known architects just taking commissions and projects for large public projects, museums, and homes for the rich. Wright truly believed that regular Americans can and should be able to own and live in a beautiful home.

[rachaelgoldman]

At last! This is a real treat to see. The move from New Jersey is a story in itself. And to be able to see the house from inside out shows the complexity of FLW's work.

[richsw]

I can't imagine anyone not wanting to live in a Lloyd Wright house, this one included. It's so beautiful, and those views out of the window are incredible. Thanks for another wonderful video.

[michaelhealy]

Pure genius. But also Pure beauty and practically. We are lucky to have his creations still around.

[sherryzimmerman]

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING in its location move….open air yet privacy primarily draws You in…..every glass view does its visual job by creating artwork of its own in the scenery of nature all seasons of the year….built-ins set up little need for extraneous furniture pieces adding to clutter………

[daveyost]

Wow, what a house! Thank you for sharing this.

[ej_buendia]

Great tour and commentary as always. FLW was influential when I was still in school and now as an architect. The gestures his building creates are so inspiring.

PS. The intro and outro music of your videos are so lovely. Please keep them forever :D

[Tuckerzd]

Wonderful tour of a beautiful house. I’ve been to most of Wright’s “greatest hits, ” but very few of these more modest houses. This helps correct that — thanks so much!

[davidpowellseattle]

The Gordon House in Oregon shares many features with this house. Beautiful!

[x_hackerfren]

This is very cool to see. thank you for sharing. the architecture video's are always some of my favorite.

[christianfrommuslim]

Thank you for this excellent and detailed tour. It is a wonderful house. The window arrangements are especially inspired.
$20, 000 was actually a high price for the 1950s. That was the price for a 3-4 bedroom custom house in a good Los Angeles suburb in the 1960s. But really, how did FLW think all of those custom wood details could be produced so inexpensively. Perhaps if the house were prefabbed on a large scale?

The main problems for current of such a house would be: noise control with so many hard surfaces, for example if one family member likes to watch loud big screen TV, and inadequate storage for 21st needs.
It could serve best for a single person working from home, or a young couple that goes out a lot, but enjoys a meditative cup of coffee on weekends.

[vladislavandreev]

Thank you for the informative story. I don't share all of Wright's ideas, but it's still very interesting to take a virtual tour of his houses.

[redburban]

Really good and informative video on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman Wilson house .

[erikdoer]

Great video, as always. My dad introduced Wright's work to me at a young age (might have been a coffee table book we had around) and I've been mesmerized by his designs ever since.

Someday could we get a behind the scenes look at how you folks go on-site and make these videos?

[TRUNGTANARCHITECT]

Thank you for your video, it's great !

[LindaKing-nqut]

Always enjoy seeing FLW designed homes..have toured several …Fallingwater …spectacular …his style is one which can ne adapted many environments IMO

[Sasha]

Crystal Bridges! ❤
Goodness, this house is beautiful... I remember clerestories from various cathedrals. I love the openness of the living room and the gloss on those tiles.
Also a fan of "Usonia, " radiant heating, and the way the glass walls allow nature in. Gorgeous!
The hanging staircase and stream situation brought tears to my eyes! 🤯
I've gotta get back to Crystal Bridges and see this place.

[karencontestabile]

I love FLW. Every house he created was perfect, in my opinion. ❤❤❤

[stevenslater]

My parents bought a row house - a very nice row house in northeast Philadelphia in 1953. Cost: $16, 000. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms up stairs. Large living room, dining room and kitchen on first floor, finished rec room in basement with powder room.
For another $4, 000 we could have bought what they called a twin- or semi-detached house. (Two homes sharing a party wall, each with a side yard).
So, yeah, back in 1953 $20 Grand bought you a nice middle-class home. Maybe you could stretch to $25, 000, anticipating advancement & raises at work - but $60K? May as well have been talking about buying the Taj Mahal.
And maintenance on a FLW home was always a large expense. While a row house like the one I grew up in? Our place was brick with fieldstone front facade, so exterior paint every five years or so, and re-tar and stone the built-up roof maybe every 8 years.
But $60 grand in ‘53? Doctor, lawyer, successful business owner territory.