John C. Pew House

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938 for research chemist John C. Pew and his wife, Ruth, this Shorewood Hills residence is a two-story example of Wright’s Usonian ideal of economical, well-designed housing for middle-class clients. Built on a narrow, sloping site overlooking Lake Mendota, it was angled to the lot so two sides could capture lake views, and it steps down the hillside toward the water. Supervised by William Wesley “Wes” Peters of the Taliesin Fellowship, the house became known as a compact, inventive counterpart to Fallingwater, valued for combining modest cost, careful siting, and strong architectural effect.

Madison, Wisconsin · United States