Frank Lloyd Wright's Goetsch–Winckler House

Designed in 1939 by famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Goetsch–Winckler House is widely considered to be one of the most elegant examples of Wright’s Usonian ideal. The home was commissioned by Michigan State University art professors Alma Goetsch and Kathrine Winckler, and was the only structure built as part of a larger planned Usonian community in East Lansing, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This compact, single-story home embodies Wright’s signature Usonian principles, featuring an organic connection to the surrounding landscape, use of natural materials, accentuated use of horizontal lines, and open planning with simple massing, allowing this relatively small house feel incredibly spacious. Situated atop a knoll on a secluded lot in a quiet neighborhood, the house’s daring carport cantilever leads one alongside a series of French doors to the main entry. Inside, the home opens into an expansive living space with a wall of windows that look across a wooded ravine. Alma Goetsch and Kathrine Winckler, both accomplished artists and longtime professors at nearby MSU, infused the home with their passion for integrating art into their daily lives. In fact, all of the artwork hung in the home is by none other than Goetsch and Winckler themselves, making the space not only historically significant but also deeply personal. Usonian homes, like this one, were part of Wright’s vision for decentralized, affordable, and harmonious American living. It should come as no surprise that this home is often considered one of Wright’s most elegant in both form and function.