Robert H. Sunday House

AIA Iowa

Recognitions: Frank Lloyd Wright in Iowa

Project Description

The Robert H. Sunday house is located in Marshalltown, Iowa. It was completed in 1955. By the early 1950s, Wright was seeking ways to reduce construction costs and he developed the “Usonian Automatic House.” Wright believed that this system, which utilized precast concrete blocks without conventional mortar joints, allowed for the elimination of skilled masons so that clients could become more involved with the building of the structure. This would lower the cost of the home. Sunday, who owned Marshall Lumber in Marshalltown, acted as his own general contractor. In fact, he and his wife did much of the work themselves.