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[ T H E W I L B U R C . P E A R C E H O U S E | F R A N K L LOY D W R I G H T ] [continued from page 94] Signature Frank Lloyd Wright touches abound in the Because of the home's rare status among Frank Lloyd home, including a small entryway that keeps visitors Wright designs, Pearce has allowed certain groups to tour from lingering there and instead draws them inside. The his house. "Many of the people who visit the house have blurring of indoor-outdoor boundaries is accomplished much more experience and knowledge of Frank Lloyd through Wright's characteristic floor-to-ceiling glass doors Wright homes than I do," he says. "As they look at the and windows. And instead of a garage, a cantilevered, house, I'll ask them, 'how would you fix this,' or 'what would overhanging roof provides a carport, a word coined by you do here?' I'm always trying to get new ideas and it's a Wright himself, if you believe everything you read on great help that they're willing to share their knowledge." Wikipedia. But the best part, quips Pearce, is that "unlike a typical garage, there are no posts or walls to back into Owning a historic home, admits Pearce, does not come with your car." without its drawbacks. "It's a challenge to wash 53 windows, and with glass in almost every wall, it's not a Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the home is home for someone who cherishes privacy," he says. Normal that it is one of only 60 Usonian houses Wright built in wear and tear can also present some headaches. Three the U.S. The term Usonian describes Wright's vision of years ago, he had to rebuild the septic tank because it had architecture for the average American. Usonian houses been infiltrated by the roots of oak trees growing on the are made with local materials and are characterized by flat property. Still, Pearce feels privileged to own a home of roofs, a modest footprint, radiant-floor heating, clerestory such historic significance. windows and a visual link between indoor and outdoor spaces. "Restoring this home is the project of a lifetime, but when my father transferred the property to me, I didn't ask "Most architects build small homes and get bigger, but whether I wanted to do it," relates Pearce. "I grabbed it and Wright turned it around and started huge and went small," said this is something I have to do. No discussion. Keeping explains Pearce. "Usonian homes were built from common it in the family is a big part of my joy; it's history and it's my materials designed in a way that had artistic value. He'd family history. It's always been our house." use grade raw unpainted concrete blocks and make an exceptional design with that." ARCHITECT | DESIGN | BUILD 12.13.2013 97