Francis Faulhaber House, 1958, mid-century modern Usonian Style, 1261 West Westwood Drive. The T-shape plan includes casual family spaces to the right (dining room, kitchen, family room, half bathroom, and studio), a formal living room and den at the center, and the private suite of bedrooms and bathrooms to the left.
The thoughtful design of the Faulhaber House at 1261 Westwood, its use of natural materials and innovative features, make it one of Adrian's most important contributions to mid-century modern architecture, reflecting the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright and the vision and craftsmanship of Francis Faulhaber. The architect and original owner, Francis Faulhaber, envisioned a home that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, capturing the essence of the Usonian style that was first popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wright's Usonian style was a transformative approach to affordable housing, aiming to make architecturally beautiful homes accessible to the middle class. Introduced during the Great Depression, when Herbert Jacobs challenged Wright to design a home in Madison, Wisconsin, for just $5,000, Usonian homes feature open floor plans, natural materials, and large windows for ample light. These homes often lack basements and attics, favoring functionality with built-in furnishings. Deep overhangs and flat or low-pitched roofs were designed for passive solar heating, while radiant-floor heating is a hallmark of Wright's innovative approach. Wright's effort to harmonize these homes with their natural surroundings further underscores his commitment to creating spaces that are both beautiful and practical.
The word Usonian was coined by James Duff Law, a writer in the early part of the twentieth century who claimed in 1902: “We of the United States, in justice to Canadians and Mexicans, have no right to use the title ‘Americans’ when referring to matters pertaining exclusively to ourselves.” He suggested that instead, citizens of the United States should be called “Usonans” or “Usonians,” which was an abbreviation of “United States of North America.”
Francis Faulhaber, born on August 20, 1914, in Adrian, became an architect just as the Usonian style was emerging. After graduating from Adrian High School in 1932 and the University of Michigan in 1938, he founded Faulhaber & Associates Architectural Firm in Adrian. Twenty years later, he would build his own home. Throughout his career, he designed numerous notable buildings in the area, including schools, churches, banks, and community buildings. Some of his major projects include the YMCA building (now Creek Enterprises, Inc.) on Maumee Street, Saint Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Adrian Catholic Central High School, and Madison High School.
Faulhaber's design philosophy is evident in his home's open floor plan, flat roof with overhanging eaves, and the use of natural materials such as native wood and brick. The house's exterior boasts the same brick as other notable buildings that he designed, including Courthouse Commons at 227 North Winter Street, which housed his design firm, and Riverview Terrace apartments at 400 College Avenue.
One of the Faulhaber House's most distinguishing characteristics is its 59 large and tall windows. These windows, strategically positioned to face the central courtyard and the backyard rather than the street, invite natural light into the home while offering privacy and picturesque views of the surrounding mature trees, which he carefully incorporated into his house plan. The windows' clean lines, simplicity, and lack of ornamental trim contribute to the home's understated elegance.
Wright's Usonian style was a transformative approach to affordable housing, aiming to make architecturally beautiful homes accessible to the middle class. Introduced during the Great Depression, when Herbert Jacobs challenged Wright to design a home in Madison, Wisconsin, for just $5,000, Usonian homes feature open floor plans, natural materials, and large windows for ample light. These homes often lack basements and attics, favoring functionality with built-in furnishings. Deep overhangs and flat or low-pitched roofs were designed for passive solar heating, while radiant-floor heating is a hallmark of Wright's innovative approach. Wright's effort to harmonize these homes with their natural surroundings further underscores his commitment to creating spaces that are both beautiful and practical.
The word Usonian was coined by James Duff Law, a writer in the early part of the twentieth century who claimed in 1902: “We of the United States, in justice to Canadians and Mexicans, have no right to use the title ‘Americans’ when referring to matters pertaining exclusively to ourselves.” He suggested that instead, citizens of the United States should be called “Usonans” or “Usonians,” which was an abbreviation of “United States of North America.”
Francis Faulhaber, born on August 20, 1914, in Adrian, became an architect just as the Usonian style was emerging. After graduating from Adrian High School in 1932 and the University of Michigan in 1938, he founded Faulhaber & Associates Architectural Firm in Adrian. Twenty years later, he would build his own home. Throughout his career, he designed numerous notable buildings in the area, including schools, churches, banks, and community buildings. Some of his major projects include the YMCA building (now Creek Enterprises, Inc.) on Maumee Street, Saint Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Adrian Catholic Central High School, and Madison High School.
Faulhaber's design philosophy is evident in his home's open floor plan, flat roof with overhanging eaves, and the use of natural materials such as native wood and brick. The house's exterior boasts the same brick as other notable buildings that he designed, including Courthouse Commons at 227 North Winter Street, which housed his design firm, and Riverview Terrace apartments at 400 College Avenue.
One of the Faulhaber House's most distinguishing characteristics is its 59 large and tall windows. These windows, strategically positioned to face the central courtyard and the backyard rather than the street, invite natural light into the home while offering privacy and picturesque views of the surrounding mature trees, which he carefully incorporated into his house plan. The windows' clean lines, simplicity, and lack of ornamental trim contribute to the home's understated elegance.
The courtyard in the Faulhaber House includes a water feature and floor-to-ceiling windows that allow natural northern light into the family room, the dining room, and main entrance. Photograph courtesy of Kay Swartzlander.
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This view of the Faulhaber House is from the updated kitchen, through the dining room and inro the hall that leads to the formal entrance, living room, and the private bedrooms beyond. The courtyard windows are to the left.
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The interior of the Faulhaber House is impressive. It originally had a smoking area in the living room and a heated courtyard. The in-floor hot water radiant heating system not only heats the house but also the home's water, eliminating the need for ducts for central air. The formal living room is sunken and features a wall of windows and a red brick fireplace with floating wood mantel, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The master bathroom features a built-in sunken shower, and the kitchen, once adorned with hanging cabinets and orange paint, now includes a modern island. Faulhaber's attention to detail extends to the house's layout, with wider hallways than those typically found in Wright's designs. The house also includes numerous built-ins, skylights and water features, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Essay © Peter Barr, 2025
Essay © Peter Barr, 2025
The family room is flooded with natural light from the corner windows and includes some the home's more eccentric features: the larch-wood beams capped with facia boards, rustic earth-toned brick walls, and a cozy fireplace that floats on a limestone hearth.
