Buying a Frank Lloyd Wright original would be like trying to buy a priceless museum artifact. A 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,245 square foot cottage on Vashon lets you live in a house inspired by his ideas for $374,000.
It is called a Usonian cottage, a house that is both angular and blends into its landscape. The iconic long, rectangular, and repeated windows are carried into the interior shelving. The ceiling isn't flat like many of his designs were, but the architects carried the theme into the ceiling with linear paneling. Refined simplicity was the idea, where natural materials like wood, and pragmatic materials like concrete are more than just paneling or poured floors.
Large roof overhangs are also part of the plan, providing more dry space, shade in the summer, while letting the sun shine in and warm in winter.
Living with the landscape is key, which may be one reason there aren't any pictures of the entire house, just vignettes framed by foliage. One way to make the outdoors more welcoming is to create great verandas, and this one has in-floor heating. That must make it easier to shovel it, and maybe even dry it quicker after the rain.
Beyond the paved parts are about 3 acres of mostly natural landscaping with garden space and fruit trees; because the land is as important as the house.
For some architecture fan, this may be a dream house; especially, if they like washing lots of long, skinny windows.
· 16001 91st Ave SW, Vashon [Estately]