A jewel of a house that epitomizes Wright’s perfect American home for modern living.

Smith House stands as one of the best-preserved Usonian homes open to the public—a clear expression of Wright’s “Usonian” vision for small, affordable homes. 

Designed by Wright in 1946 and completed in 1950, the house reflects his belief that well-designed architecture should be accessible to all. Conceived as a compact environment, nestled in the landscape, it demonstrates Wright’s mastery of space through built-ins, rooms that flow from one into the next, and a seamless relationship between indoors and out. 

The Smith House retains its original Wright-designed furnishings, along with artworks and studio craft objects by artists associated with nearby Cranbrook Academy of Art. This volume celebrates the integrity of the home, the story of its builders, Sara and Melyvn Smith, and the efforts of Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research to preserve and share it with the public. Beautifully illustrated and deeply researched, it presents a timeless model for thoughtful, human-centered modern living.

About The Author

Namita Wiggers is a curator, writer, and educator specializing in contemporary craft and design, and the founder of Critical Craft Forum. Gregory Wittkopp is Director at Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Kevin Adkisson is the Cranbrook Center Curator and serves as the curator of the Smith House. Nina Blomfield is a former Collections Fellow at the Cranbrook Center, where she researched and documented the Smiths’ decorative arts collection. Deborah Rice is the Head Archivist at Cranbrook Archives.