Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright
Year: 1939
Photographs: Frank Lloyd Wright, Grant Mudford, Elena Schmidt, B22 Design, Bobak Ha’Eri, J Jakobson
Project Supervision: John Lautner
Client: George D. Sturges
City: Los Angeles
Country: United States
The George Sturges House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1939 and supervised by John Lautner, is the only Usonian home built in Southern California. Located in Brentwood, Los Angeles, this steel-reinforced residence is cantilevered over a hillside, creating a striking floating effect. The 1,200-square-foot (110 m²) home features an open-plan living area, two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a panoramic 21-foot wrap-around deck. Built with redwood, brick, concrete, and steel, it embodies Wright’s vision of functional, affordable, and modern living. Inspired by Wright’s Jacobs House (1937), the Sturges House was commissioned by George and Selma Sturges as an efficient yet aesthetically warm dwelling. Actor Jack Larson owned the home from 1967 until 2015, and in 1993, it was designated Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #577. Recognized as a landmark of American modernism, the house exemplifies Wright’s innovative approach to organic architecture and engineering.
In the 1930s, amid significant changes driven by internationalization and industrialization, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) conceived the Usonian Home, a concept intended to bring modern architecture to the American middle class. Wright believed that the greatest American achievement was the creation of a broad middle class, and he saw Usonian houses as the ideal model for simple, efficient, and affordable dwellings. Characterized by open plans, native materials like brick, stone, and wood, L-shaped layouts, overhanging roofs, natural lighting, and passive solar heating, Usonian homes embraced functional beauty while integrating harmoniously with their surroundings.
One of the finest examples of this vision is the George Sturges House (1939), located in the Brentwood Heights neighborhood of Brentwood, Los Angeles, California. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and supervised by John Lautner, a Taliesin apprentice who later became a renowned architect, the Sturges House is the only Usonian home built in Southern California. While Wright designed several homes in the region, such as the Ennis House (1924) and the Hollyhock House (1921), these followed his earlier textile-block and California Romanza styles, whereas the Sturges House embodied his fully developed Usonian principles.
The Sturges House is a one-story, steel-reinforced residence built on a hillside lot, appearing to soar dramatically over the slope due to its cantilevered design. The entire structure is supported by a single concrete slab and steel beams, creating a striking sense of weightlessness. The house spans 1,200 square feet (110 m²) and features a 21-foot wrap-around panoramic deck, extending the living space and providing stunning treetops and city views. Constructed from concrete, steel, brick, and redwood, the home’s material palette reflects Wright’s signature aesthetic—a blend of warmth and modernity. The redwood walls and ceiling create an inviting atmosphere, while the open floor plan enhances functionality. The interior layout is highly efficient, with a spacious living-dining area occupying one-third of the home, while two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a small storage space fill the remaining area. A downstairs bonus room offers additional space. One of the most striking features is the cantilevered terrace, which extends the living area into the surrounding landscape. The horizontal lines of the deck and panoramic upper level give the structure a floating effect, resembling a ship or an aircraft in motion, echoing the 1930s fascination with speed and modern engineering.
The story of the George Sturges Residence began in 1938, when George and Selma Sturges, inspired by Wright’s work featured in Architectural Forum, sought to commission him for an affordable, modern home. They were particularly drawn to Wright’s Jacobs Residence (1937) in Madison, Wisconsin, which is considered the first Usonian house. Within months, Wright completed the design, and construction was overseen by John Lautner. Wright later described the Sturges House as “one of the simplest things we have done and one of the best”, emphasizing how it perfectly embodied Usonian ideals. Unlike his earlier Los Angeles homes, which used pre-cast concrete textile blocks, the Sturges House embraced redwood and brick, aligning more closely with Usonian prototypes like the Jacobs House, Rosenbaum House (Florence, Alabama), and Malcolm Willey House (Minneapolis, Minnesota). Wright’s broader vision for Usonian homes extended beyond architecture—he saw them as part of a societal transformation, where machines and industrialization would revolutionize construction without sacrificing warmth and natural aesthetics. He advocated for new technologies, such as prefabrication and modular design, but rejected the cold, mechanical look of pure steel-and-concrete structures. Instead, he sought to blend modern materials with organic, native elements that evoked a sense of home.
From 1967 until his death in 2015, the Sturges House was owned by actor and playwright Jack Larson, best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen in the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV series. In 2016, following Larson’s passing, the house was listed for auction by Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA), with an expected price of $2.5–$3 million. However, no qualified bidders registered, and the home was withdrawn from sale. Proceeds from any eventual sale were designated to benefit the Bridges/Larson Foundation, which funds scholarships for UCLA film students. Located at 449 North Skyewiay Road, Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, the house was designated as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #577 on May 25, 1993, recognizing its significance as a landmark of American modernism. Although the home remains privately owned, it can be easily viewed from the street, allowing architecture enthusiasts to appreciate its cantilevered design and unique hillside placement.
The George Sturges House remains a pivotal project in Wright’s career, marking a high point in his Usonian designs. It is often compared to his most famous cantilevered work, Fallingwater (1935–1937) in Pennsylvania, showcasing his ability to merge engineering ingenuity with organic architecture. Unlike Fallingwater, which was designed for a wealthy client, the Sturges House was built with a modest budget, staying true to the Usonian ethos of affordability and accessibility. Even decades later, the Sturges House stands as a testament to Wright’s forward-thinking approach—a seamless blend of form, function, and the natural environment, demonstrating that modern architecture can be both innovative and deeply humane.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: 449 North Skyewiay Road, Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA 90049, United States
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
Amerikan zevksizliğinden bir örnek.
Was this home damaged during the big fire a few months ago? I remember reading something about it during that time. Thank you for any information.
Is the home furnished with original FLW furniture?
I do not believe the home was damaged by the fires. My son lives very near there. Looks like the exterior wood needs some TLC though