An Updated Usonian Home Designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice Lists For Under $5M
Built by architect David Henken, this renovated Usonian home in Bronxville, New York, offers a midcentury signature with modern amenities.
Architect David Henken, apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright, designed and built this Usonian home in Bronxville, New York, in 1950.
Most notably, Henken had worked with Wright on the Usonia Historic District in Westchester County, New York, where Wright designed three of 47 homes and Henken, who was the primary coordinator of the project, designed more than a quarter of the houses himself.
The current property on offer at 1 Governors Road was respectfully expanded and modernized in 2012 by architect Markus Dochantschi, founder of studioMDA and the former head of Zaha Hadid Architects in New York.
The Usonian-style house sits on a hill with views of the natural surroundings suffusing every room.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
In true Wright fashion, the home has a strong indoor/outdoor connection: floor-to-ceiling windows integrate the interior spaces with the natural surroundings, and the flooring runs from inside to outside. There are butt-glass windows and long roof overhangs, and most of the rooms offer direct access to exterior decks and private outdoor areas.
Some of the highlights of the home include a cozy, sunken living room; an updated kitchen; and a light-filled master bath. And although this home is more luxurious than the typical Usonian model, the original spirit of the design remains. "The language of Frank Lloyd Wright is still contemporary," says Dochantschi. "[The house] still has the warmth and the character that Frank Lloyd Wright originally had in his buildings."
The sunken living room leads to a large outdoor deck.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
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A brick-inlay fireplace creates a cozy, light-filled nook.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
The living room connects to the deck. Full-height windows with butt-glass corners provide tree-filled views.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
Shop the Look
Knoll Barcelona Chair
When Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was chosen to create the furnishings for the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona, he designed an iconic chair that many may not realize was born with royal roots. He built the Barcelona Chair to serve as seating for the king and queen of Spain, while he also designed a stool for the attendees to rest on. He formed an angular, tufted cushion that comes from a single cowhide—either Spinneybeck® or Edelman Leather. The support is made of cowhide belting straps that are dyed to match the color of the chair. In order to create such precise tufting, 40 leather panels are cut individually and are both hand-welted and hand-tufted with leather buttons. In 1953, Mies van der Rohe officially granted the production rights to Florence Knoll, who was a close friend during their time at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Today, Knoll continues to produce the chair in the U.S.A. to the exact specifications of the original design. Photo Courtesy of Knoll
ShopKnoll Barcelona Couch
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Couch (1930) was added to his Barcelona Collection in the year following the introduction of the Chair and Stool. Still produced to his original specifications, the couch gained widespread popularity in 1953, when architect Philip Johnson selected it for his New York apartment. The cushions – welting and buttons included – come from a single Spinneybeck Volo cowhide and are supported by cowhide belting straps. To create the deep, precise tufting, individual panels of leather are cut, hand-welted and hand-tufted. The frame is made from African mahogany sapele hardwood, with stainless steel legs. The bolster cushion is crafted from coordinating leather and secured to the couch with straps and locking snaps. The Barcelona Couch is a registered trademark of Knoll, Inc., manufactured by Knoll according to the original and exacting specifications of the designer. Made in U.S.A. Photo courtesy of Design Within Reach
ShopOne of the highlights of the home is the luxurious, modern kitchen which was enlarged and updated during the renovation.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
Having an open dining/kitchen area allows for easy entertaining.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
Most of the south-facing windows are floor-to-ceiling, maximizing sunlight during the winter. Windows on the northern side are smaller, minimizing the loss of heat on that side of the home.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
The master bedroom features its own private deck.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
The updated master bath is flooded with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight above. The surrounding trees provide users with privacy.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
The home has a total of six bedrooms.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
There are five-and-a-half baths in all.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
Roof overhangs help reduce solar heat gain during the summer months.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
The home sits on a .65-acre hilltop site with fantastic views and beautiful landscaping, including mature oaks, maple, elm trees, Japanese maples, and magnolias.
Photos by Chris Collins Studio and courtesy of William Pitt • Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty
1 Governors Road is now being listed for $4,995,000 by Kathleen Collins of William Pitt + Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty.
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