John Rattenbury was a principal architect and planner for Taliesin Architects until 2003. A former Wright apprentice, Rattenbury has made efforts to educate the public about Organic Architecture. Almost a decade ago, he gained the attention of the mainstream via his brilliant and stunning design for Life Magazine's 1997 Dream House. This project was much in the spirit of Wright's 1938 Life Magazine Dream House because of its adherence to the same principles. The flexibility of this design and the various options have made it a Life Dream Home that has been built in multiple iterations all over the USA.
Two books Rattenbury wrote, A Living Architecture and A House for Life, attempt to express the essence of what Organic Architecture is all about. Both books have the same core mission, to get the ideas (not style) of Organic Architecture into the hands of those outside Taliesin's walls.
Some have criticized A Living Architecture as being un-scholarly and simplistic, but seem to miss the point that it is meant to be accessible to the lay person. The book outlines and details Wright's twelve architectural principles, while providing case studies of designs utilizing these ideas...all created by Taliesin Architects.
A House for Life, is written in a way that informs the reader about Wright's principles and then discusses the process of working with an architect and builder (i.e., The Design/Build Team) who understand these principles. Fans of Sarah Susanka's, The Not So Big House series would enjoy this material. The message is simple: A moderate-cost house can be both functional and beautiful. In doing so, we can create an environment that raises the level of quality of life for those who live within.
Images courtesy of Wayne Source and Amazon.com
I used to have a copy of the article from Life Magazine for the mentioned 1997 house for life, but for the life of me I cannot find it. Do you have a copy your could email me? At this point I am actually looking for the interior paint colors. If I remember correcctly the ceilings were alpine white and the walls a shade of mocha. I would like the actual shades and or paint brands used.
Thanks!
Posted by: Chris | Nov 02, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Unfortunately, we don't--but if anyone else has one they can scan, we'll be happy to post for everyone to enjoy.
Posted by: Eric | Nov 03, 2010 at 08:50 AM
I went to a boarding high school (St. Georges) in Vancouver BC with John Rattenbury 1942 -1946
and would like to re-connect with him.
Tom Lymbery
Posted by: Tom Lymbery | Jan 12, 2011 at 06:18 PM
We built the life dream house. Very beautiful. Love for rattenbury to see it..
Posted by: Betty Bearden | Jul 17, 2011 at 07:05 PM
How would I acquire a set of construction plans for the 1997 house for life, or plans for estimating construction cost? I came across it some years ago. I now own property which would suite it and would like to explore the possibility of constructing it.
Thank you
Posted by: George Young | Sep 05, 2011 at 03:27 PM
http://sunsethouseplans.com/plans/LDH1997L
Posted by: S McN | Sep 07, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Thank you.
Posted by: george young | Sep 08, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Finished our dream house in 2006. Excellent floorplan. Expanded bedrooms at either end of house, raised roof pitch, shed dormers, eliminated lite shelves inside, rear porch became sunroom, 2 fireplaces, attached 3 garage. I think Roddenbury would appreciate the finished product. Michigan's Upper Penninsula. Visited Taliesin last week. The tour was enlightening
Posted by: William Kremer | Oct 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I want to build this house in western North Carolina. Does anyone know a builder who has experience with this design?
Posted by: Keith Bell | Oct 19, 2011 at 05:10 PM