How many stories do these walls hold? Right here stands the Ben Rebhuhn House. It is a testament to architectural vision and personal stories. Designed by the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright, this house whispers tales of creativity and innovation.
The Ben Rebhuhn House was built in 1937. It stands in Great Neck Estates New York. Ben and Anne Rebhuhn commissioned the house. They were publishers of progressive content. Frank Lloyd Wright considered this his third Usonian House. Jacobs I was his first. The Hanna House was the second.
Wright created around 400 buildings across the United States. The Rebhuhn house was one of the earliest Usonian homes built in the northeast. The concept behind the Usonian home was to provide shelter for ordinary people. These homes were typically single story. They featured a concrete slab and a carport. Garages were never included.
The Ben Rebhuhn House boasts a cruciform design. The house features a two-story living room and library. Floor-to-ceiling windows adorn both sides. Imagine a 28-foot-long couch built into the living room wall. Originally the house was built around a tree. It stood in the middle of the dining area.
The Ben Rebhuhn House is built from tidewater red cypress board and batten. The exterior and interior both feature this. Brick and red roof tiles add to its charm. The house liberally uses glass throughout the structure. Windows in the living room nearly reach two stories high. They wrap around three sides with mitered glass corners. The dining room has floor-to-ceiling doors on two outer walls. The library has windows on two sides.
Three cantilevered trellises extend from the library. They extend from the living room and the dining room. These trellises add depth to the house.
Ben Rebhuhn was more than a client to Frank Lloyd Wright. He published many of Wright’s books at Horizon Press. Rebhuhn called Wright “the Beethoven of eye-music”. He also referred to Wright as “the eternal perennial.”
The Rebhuhns sought Wright’s vision again in 1952. They wanted a summer home in Fort Myers Florida.
In the 1970s tragedy struck. A fire damaged the house. During restoration the kitchen and dining area were modernized. The tree perished in the blaze. It was never replaced.
The Ben Rebhuhn House saw a meticulous restoration of its windows and doors. Right Path Windows and Restoration undertook this task. They restored five sets of French doors. They restored three entry doors. All were crafted from cypress. The glass had loosened in the rabbets. The rails and stiles were very narrow. This complicated the restoration process.
Each window and door was uninstalled. They were clamped up and reinforced. This made them square again. The original glazing was reset. Matching the stain on the existing woodwork posed a significant challenge.
Original bronze interlock weather stripping was refurbished. It now works as efficiently as it did nearly a century ago. The original window furniture was also restored. This included sliding bolts strikes and locks.
One unique detail remains. The longest couch ever seen stretches along one of the living room walls. A former worker recalled this detail.
The Ben Rebhuhn House stands as a testament. It is a testament to Wright’s vision. It is a testament to the Rebhuhn’s progressive spirit. It embodies architectural brilliance and personal stories. Its walls echo with history and design. It is a must-see landmark.