Jacobs 1 Usonian House

Wright coined the term Usonia to capture his idea of "affordable" architecture. His Usonian homes hug the earth both figuratively and literally. As in all of his homes, natural materials and colors are used throughout and the fireplace is a central feature.

Jacobs I was completed in 1937 and is located in Madison, Wisconsin. Over 140 Usonian homes were eventually built based on the groundbreaking ideas first expressed in this home. Usonian homes share an open plan, allowing free flow and sight lines between the living room, dining room, and kitchen. This concept was incorporated in the typical American ranch house that became common starting in the 1950's.

The home is a declared National Historic Site and is inscribed in the World Heritage List along with seven other Wright buildings. Although in private hands, it is open periodically for public tours.

The model is detailed inside and out. When you look through the windows you can see the central fireplace. The contours of the site are modeled to give a sense of the home's relation to the earth. The brick and siding on the exterior are modeled to scale.

Each kit comes complete with all required parts. All you’ll need to provide is a good quality glue, a knife to remove individual parts from their sheets, and a flat work surface to construct the model. Select the Model Kit + Acrylic Display Case for a stunning display that protects your model, or choose the Finished Model + Acrylic Display Case if you'd rather not build it yourself.

To assemble this scale model, you will need a flat work surface that is at least 18" by 18"; white glue, brands like Elmers or Titebond Premium work well; and a knife to separate wood parts from the sheets.