Eric and Margaret Ann (Davis) Brown House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eric and Margaret Ann (Davis) Brown House
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| Location | 2806 Taliesin Dr., Kalamazoo, Michigan |
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| Area | about 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1950 |
| Built by | David Corning |
| Architect | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Architectural style | Modern, Usonian |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000200 |
| Added to NRHP | April 26, 2016 |
The Eric and Margaret Ann (Davis) Brown House is a special family home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This house is a great example of his "Usonian" style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. This means it's an important historical building worth protecting.
A Special Home's History
Eric and Margaret Ann Brown were a couple who wanted a unique home. Eric was a lawyer, and Margaret had studied at college. They moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1941.
In 1946, the Browns and five other families had a great idea. They wanted to build a friendly neighborhood together. They called their group the Parkwyn Village Association. They decided to ask Frank Lloyd Wright to design their homes. He was a very famous architect known for his modern and unique buildings.
Construction on the Brown's house started in 1950. The family moved into their new home in 1951. Eric and Margaret lived in this special house for over 50 years! They loved their Usonian home until they moved out in 2002. Later, other families bought and cared for the house.
What Makes the Brown House Special?
The Brown House is a "Usonian" home. This was a style Frank Lloyd Wright created for middle-income families. These homes were often built with natural materials and blended into their surroundings.
This house is long and rectangular. It has a slightly sloped roof that sticks out, called a "cantilevered" roof. The house is about 130 feet long. It sits on a large, wooded piece of land, about one acre in size.
The house is built with concrete blocks. It's also set into a sloping hill. This makes it look very low from the street side. On this side, there are long, narrow windows high up on the wall. These are called "clerestory windows."
The other side of the house faces Lorenz Lake. This side has many large windows and doors. This allows lots of light and beautiful views inside. There's also a walled patio along this side, perfect for enjoying the outdoors.
