10/11/2026
a recent photographic survey of milwaukee’s burnham block, a collection of six homes designed by frank lloyd wright between 1915 and 1917.
these buildings are premier examples of his american system-built homes, an ambitious early-20th-century initiative to provide affordable, small-scale housing for middle-class americans. factory-precut lumber was shipped by rail to reduce construction waste and labor costs.
the designs feature continuous stucco exteriors unified by horizontal wood bands; prairie-style interiors with prominent moldings and uniform trim based on a strict 24-inch grid; and bands of clear and decorative leaded-glass windows that bring natural light into compact, functional living spaces.
over the past 109 years, several burnham block homes have deteriorated, undergone insensitive modernization, or faced structural threats. alterations often obscured wright’s original intent: the model c3 house at 1835 s. layton blvd. had its open porch enclosed, a “pizza hut-style” asphalt roof added, and synthetic stone installed over the historic stucco; another duplex received aluminum siding.
local preservation ordinances helped prevent demolition, and the site is now protected as a local historic district and listed on the national register of historic places. the volunteer-led nonprofit frank lloyd wright’s burnham block, inc. is leading extensive restoration work. after restoring the 805-square-foot model b1 bungalow—a project that required asbestos-stucco and lead-paint remediation—the organization secured a $407,000 federal save america’s treasures grant toward an $814,000 interior and exterior restoration of the model c3 cottage, scheduled to continue through 2026.
courtesy of bld. 51 archive.
