The Main Zimmerman house image

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Photograph by Sean Dungan

An understated entrance and closed façade provide privacy from public gaze. Sheltered by the landscape, the Zimmerman House was designed as a space for relaxation where the couple could pursue their interests in music and art.

Zimmerman House, Presentation Drawing, 1950

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There were several versions of the design. In this early drawing, the dining area is located in the living room far away from the south-facing window. 

Early version of floor plan and elevations, 1950

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The house was built on a corner lot. The unusual diagonal orientation provided space for a private garden at the rear of the house that was designed by Wright.

Garden plan, 1952 

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Lucille Zimmerman played an important role in the development of the layout of the house. She requested plenty of room for kitchen supplies to make her busy life as nurse, secretary, and art enthusiast easier. 

Workspace floor plan with built-in cabinet layout, 1951

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After reviewing the preliminary architecture drawings, the Zimmermans requested more daylight. John Geiger, Wright’s on-site apprentice, altered the design to provide both a clerestory in the kitchen and a skylight in the master bathroom. 

Exterior elevations with added clerestory, June 2, 1951

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Wright’s Usonian houses often utilized in-floor heating. Piping for hot water heating was cast into the concrete floor. 

Heating and plumbing plan, June 2, 1951

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Wright designed free-standing and built-in furniture that became part of the fabric of the house. At the request of the Zimmermans, Wright also designed a quartet stand.

Furniture plan, 1951

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Common to post-war architecture, the Zimmerman House makes use of cast concrete blocks as structural and ornamental features. Wright designed specific block patterns for each house.

Perforated block detail, undated

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Wright made changes to his designs as the clients provided feedback. Compared to the floor plan of 1950, this rendering situates the dining area in proximity to the large, south-facing french doors. 

Revised general plan, June 11, 1951

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A selection of the original architectural drawings and plans for the Zimmerman House in Manchester, New Hampshire. 

Drawings and Plans

Typical of Unsonian homes, the street facing façade is enclosed, providing privacy.

Front façade

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View of rear façade. Typical of Unsonian homes, the back of the home opens up to nature.

Rear façade

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The carport is open to the garden providing a calming view when arriving home.  

Carport

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The front door is understated enhancing the sense of seclusion.

Front entrance

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As you enter the house from the expansive driveway, the visitor confronts a brick wall within a confined space.  

Front door

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The movement from compressed to expanded spaces, which is a typical characteristic of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, is illustrated perfectly at the entrance. The claustrophobic feel beyond the threshold is relieved by the wide and open rooms to the left of right. 

Entrance hall looking toward the living room

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The dramatic transition from a compressed space into an expansive space creates a sense drama.  

Living room looking east

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The workspace (kitchen) is at the heart of Usonian homes, providing easy access to the living and dining spaces.

Kitchen

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The French doors in the dining provide a seamless transition to the porch and gardens.

Living room looking southeast to the patio and backyard

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The patio is outfitted with electrical outlets and a telephone jack providing an additional living space during the spring, summer, and fall.

Looking west toward the patio and exterior of the living room

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The board and batten ceilings of the interior rooms pass through the exterior window walls. In the master bedroom the rhythm of the gabled ceiling projects to the exterior providing a deep eave for shading the sun.

The guest bedroom and main bedroom are designed with cathedral ceilings and mitered windows. Both rooms are below grade giving the sense that the house is emerging from the earth. They also have windows facing the backyard maintaining the house's overall sense of seclusion.

Main bedroom looking southwest

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Dramatic views and cantilevered roof is a hallmark of Frank Lloyd Wright’s style.

Looking east from the carport entrance

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East side of the property looking southwest toward the exterior of the storage room

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Photo Gallery

Isadore Zimmerman contacted Frank Lloyd Wright requesting he design a home for them. He notes his dislike of 
“coldly efficient” buildings such as modern European houses and hoped that a commission from Wright would provide a warm home environment.  


Dr. Isadore J. Zimmerman to Frank Lloyd Wright, June 27, 1949

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Wright’s studio replied with a brief letter asking the Zimmermans to meet with the architect at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin, to discuss the clients’ wishes.

Frank Lloyd Wright to Dr. Isadore J. Zimmerman, July 13, 1949

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The Zimmermans outlined a detailed list of specifications for their new home. They emphasized the importance of music in their lives and their wish to make space for instruments and sheet music. 

Dr. Isadore J. Zimmerman to Frank Lloyd Wright, August 24, 1949

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The Zimmermans were eager to start the construction of their house and wrote to Wright to ask about the project timeline. 

Dr. Isadore J. Zimmerman to Frank Lloyd Wright, March 25, 1950

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A year and a half after their initial letter, Wright notified the Zimmermans that the preliminary sketches are ready.

Frank Lloyd Wright to Dr. and Mrs. Isadore Zimmerman, October 11, 1950

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1950-10-11_FLWLetter (original)

The Zimmermans participated in the planning process and requested several changes to the preliminary design with attention to minor details such as replacing a tub with a shower. 

Dr. and Mrs. Isadore Zimmerman to Frank Lloyd Wright, October 26, 1950

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The Zimmermans requested additional changes to the design including specific alterations to the workspace.

Dr. Isadore Zimmerman to Frank Lloyd Wright, January 25, 1951

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The Zimmermans shared their passion with other Wright clients and collected literature about his architecture. 

Dr. and Mrs. Isadore Zimmerman to Eugene Masselink, Wright’s secretary, April 5, 1951

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The press took an early interest in Wright’s work in Manchester. The Union Leader newspaper approached Wright regarding a feature article on the Zimmerman House.  

George E. Connell, City Editor, Manchester Union Leader, to Frank Lloyd Wright, September 5, 1951

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Lucille Zimmerman asked Wright to design stationery to complement their new home. 

Eugene Masselink to Lucille Zimmerman, September 15, 1951

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1951-09-15_Masselink(FLW)Letter (original)

Wright’s on-site apprentice John Geiger participated in the design process and worked closely with the Zimmermans.  For instance, he suggested possible alterations to the design to accommodate Mrs. Zimmerman’s request for more daylight in the workspace. 

John Geiger, Wright’s on-site apprentice, to Frank Lloyd Wright, October 11, 1951

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Eugene Masselink sent drawings for the music stand that was custom made for the Zimmermans and similar to Wright’s personal quartet stand.

Eugene Masselink, Wright’s secretary, to John Geiger, onsite apprentice, February 13, 1952

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John Geiger, Wright’s onsite apprentice, notified Wright that the house was complete.

John Geiger, Wright’s onsite apprentice, to Frank Lloyd Wright, April 19, 1952

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A selection of letters between the Zimmermans and the Wright studios.

Historic Documents

THE ZIMMERMAN HOUSE was commissioned by Dr. Isadore and Lucille Zimmerman in 1949. The two-bedroom home embodies Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian architectural concepts. The compact design contrasts narrow passages with dramatic, open spaces that blend different functions, in a manner which predicts today’s open-plan homes. The house is constructed of brick and Georgia cypress, and retains its original furniture and garden, both designed by Wright.