Frank Lloyd Wright-designed doghouse on display

Master modernist architect Frank Lloyd Wright wasn’t above lying down with dogs. In fact, the late designer once drafted a doghouse—reportedly his only doghouse—for a 12-year-old kid. And it will be on public display starting in June.

Eddie’s House, as it’s known, has been kept in storage since it was donated by Marin resident Jim Berger, who, in the late 1950s, wrote to Wright to ask him to draw plans for a doghouse. He even promised Wright that he’d pay him from the allowance he earned for his paper route.

However, the doghouse in question is an exact replica that Berger rebuilt from the original masterplans after the original canine pad was tossed in the garbage.

According to a press release, “The original doghouse was eventually discarded, but Berger—a retired cabinet maker living in the Sacramento area—received permission from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in 2011 to build a replica doghouse from the original Wright sketches.” Berger then donated the replica of Eddie’s House to the county in May 2016.

Plot twist: Eddie never used even the thing. “The dog never slept in it,” said Berger. “No dog ever slept in it.”

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Wright’s birth, the doghouse will be on display inside the designer’s largest structure.

“The Marin County Civic Center is the largest existing Frank Lloyd Wright building, so with the doghouse, both the largest and smallest Wright buildings are going to be here in Marin for the public to see at the same time,” said Gabriella Calicchio, director of Marin’s cultural and visitors services.

The doghouse will be available for viewing from June 8 to September 8 at the Civic Center Library branch.

• Frank Lloyd Wright [Curbed]
• Frank Lloyd Wright [Curbed Chicago]