The Brauner Residence Gallery

1948
S.312

2527 Arrow Head Rd.
Okemos, Michigan 48864

I visited the Brauner House on the morning of Sunday, September 1, 2024.  After the disappoint of the Schaberg House drive-by, I was heartened to see that I had a better view of this home from the street.  As Arrow Head Rd. deadends, this house is on the left, perched on high ground above Herron Creek.  Erling Brauner acted as his own contractor and built the house in 1949, completed a year after it was designed by FLLW in 1948.  The house is constructed with double hollow-core concrete block, with each block measuring 4 x 8 x16 inches, and is laid out on a 4-foot-square grid pattern.  In this design FLLW appears to be refining his Usonian home concept, placing the wing extension directly behind the living room and attaching the master bedroom at the side of the kitchen workspace through a sort hallway off the main gallery.  The home appeared to be uninhabited, and in a state of disrepair, with a blue tarp covering part of the structure.  I hope this home is someday redone to take advantage of the beautiful setting overlooking the creek.  Of particular note is the huge abstract mailbox and nicely designed outdoor light fixtures.  Here are the photos I managed that morning.  

The Wright  Thoughts…
As I was picking out the photos for this page and contemplating my experience at the Brauner House, I got to thinking.  If Mr. Wright got upset that Mary Palmer dared to use folding chairs in his creation, how do you think he would feel about blue tarps and junk cars?  I think we all know the answer to this one!