Eddie's House
A young boy writes to the world's greatest architect
Enormous thanks to Jim Berger and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
Frank Lloyd Wright died on this day in 1959, following an illustrious 70-year career during which he designed upwards of 1,000 structures and completed over 500 buildings—a remarkable achievement that led to his posthumous recognition as the “greatest American architect of all time” by the American Institute of Architects. Just three years before Wright’s death, in 1956, he embarked on what would become his smallest and most unusual project. It began with a letter from Jim Berger, the 12-year-old son of a former client, in which he made an endearing request: he sought Wright’s expertise to design a house for his dog, Eddie, complementing the family’s home. Incredibly, Wright agreed, delivering a set of drawings for “Eddie’s House” the following year. Construction was eventually completed in 1963. This unique creation remained the only doghouse Frank Lloyd Wright ever designed, adding an extraordinary footnote to his legendary career.
The Letters
June 19, 1956
Dear Mr. Wright
I am a boy of twelve years. My name is Jim Berger. You designed a house for my father whose name is Bob Berger. I have a paper route which I make a little bit of money for the bank, and for expenses.
I would appreciate it if you would design me a dog house, which would be easy to build, but would go with our house. My dog’s name is Edward, but we call him Eddie. He is four years old or in dog life 28 years. He is a Labrador retriever. He is two and a half feet high and three feet long. The reasons I would like this dog house is for the winters mainly. My dad said if you design the dog house he will help me build it. But if you design the dog house I will pay you for the plans and materials out of the money I get from my route.
Respectfully yours,
Jim Berger
Dear Jim:
A house for Eddie is an opportunity. Someday I shall design one but just now I am too busy to concentrate on it. You write me next November to Phoenix, Arizona and I may have something then.
Truly yours,
Frank Lloyd Wright
June 28th, 1956
Dear Mr Wright
I wrote you June 19, 1956 about designing my dog Eddie a dog house to go with the house you designed for my dad. You told me to write you again in November so I ask you again, could you design me a dog house.
Respectfully yours,
Jim Berger
The Plans
The Result
Oh! How wonderful was this?
What a genuinely great correspondence, and how polite and articulate was young Jim.