You’ve probably seen the big-name Frank Lloyd Wright houses—the ones like Fallingwater that basically look like they’re defying gravity over a waterfall. But tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in Cincinnati is something a lot more personal. It’s the Cedric G. and Patricia Neils Boulter House, and honestly, it’s one of the most underrated examples of Wright’s "Usonian" vision you’ll ever find.
It doesn’t look like a museum. It looks like a home.
Built in the mid-1950s, this place wasn't for a millionaire or a tycoon. It was for two classics professors at the University of Cincinnati. It’s got this weirdly cool mix of high-brow architectural theory and "kinda" messy, real-life practicality. If you’ve ever wondered what it would actually be like to live inside a piece of art without feeling like you’re in a gallery, this is the house to look at.
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The Story Behind the Boulter House
Architecture usually starts with a plot of land, but this one started with a family connection. Patricia Neils' parents already lived in a Wright-designed house in Minnesota. When she and Cedric got married, Wright basically promised he’d build one for them too. That’s a pretty intense wedding gift.
They ended up with a lot in the Clifton neighborhood that most builders would have laughed at. It was a steep, "leftover" hillside that seemed impossible to build on. But Wright loved a challenge. He took that sloping half-acre and turned it into the foundation for a "solar hemicycle" design—basically a house that curves and angles to catch the sun.
Construction kicked off in 1954. It wasn't exactly smooth sailing. While Wright’s Usonian homes were supposed to be affordable for the middle class, the budget for the Boulter House ballooned. It ended up costing about $36,000, which was a massive chunk of change back then, especially for two professors. By the time they finished the additions in 1958, it was a fully realized masterpiece, but it definitely wasn't "budget" in the way we think of it now.
What Makes the Architecture Different?
Most people expect a Wright house to be all about the horizontal lines. And yeah, the Boulter House has those. But because of that steep hill, it’s actually two stories. That’s pretty rare for a Usonian.
Wright used a four-foot square module to lay the whole thing out. It’s built from concrete block, Douglas fir, and some really beautiful African and Philippine mahogany. It feels heavy and grounded, but then you see the glass.
Passive Solar Before It Was Cool
The house faces southeast. This wasn't just for the view of Rawson Woods Park. Wright was obsessed with the idea of "passive solar."
- The Winter Sun: Low winter light pours through the 10-foot tall windows, hitting the "Taliesin Red" concrete floors.
- The Thermal Mass: Those concrete floors soak up the heat and keep the place warm at night.
- The Summer Shade: Deep roof overhangs block the high summer sun so the house doesn't turn into an oven.
It’s smart, low-tech engineering. Honestly, it’s more sustainable than a lot of "green" houses being built today.
The "Ship" in the Woods
People in Cincinnati often call it the "Ship House." When you look at it from the downhill side, you can see why. The cantilevered balcony juts out like a prow, and the way the wood and glass are stacked makes the whole thing feel like it’s floating through the trees.
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Inside, it’s all about compression and release. The entrance is small and kinda cramped—very typical Wright. But then you turn a corner and the space just explodes into a 44-foot long living room. The mezzanine level (where the bedrooms are) is actually suspended from the roof joists by iron tension rods. It’s a structural flex that keeps the floor plan open and airy.
Living With a Masterpiece
The Boulters lived there until the late 80s. Imagine raising two kids in a house where you can't just go to IKEA and buy a bookshelf because everything is custom-fitted to a 4-foot grid.
After the Boulters, the house went through a few owners. One of the most important eras was when Chuck Lohre and Janet Groeber owned it. They weren't just living there; they were basically the house's personal trainers. They spent 15 years restoring the mahogany, updating the kitchen to be actually functional, and pumping foam insulation into the concrete blocks to make it energy efficient.
They even managed to reduce the home's energy consumption by something like 70%. That’s a big deal because, let’s be real, Wright’s houses are famous for being drafty and having leaky roofs.
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The 2019 Auction and the Fire
In early 2019, the house hit the market for $695,000. It sold in one day. People were flying in from all over just to get a look at it. The new owner, Brook Smith, bought it with the idea of making it a retreat for creatives.
But then, tragedy sort of struck. In August 2019, while the house was empty, a fire broke out. It caused about $100,000 in damage. Luckily, because the house is made of so much concrete and heavy timber, the core structure survived. It was a close call that reminded everyone how fragile these historic sites really are.
Today, it remains a private residence. It's tucked away at 1 Rawson Woods Circle. If you try to drive by, you might barely see it through the trees—and honestly, that’s how Wright intended it. He wanted his houses to "be of the hill, not on the hill."
Actionable Insights for Architecture Lovers
If you’re a fan of Wright or just interested in mid-century modern design, the Boulter House offers some real lessons you can actually use.
- Orientation is everything. If you’re building or renovating, look at where your sun comes from. A well-placed window and a deep overhang can save you a fortune on AC.
- Small can be grand. The bedrooms in the Boulter House are tiny—some are only 98 square feet. But they feel okay because they open up to balconies or overlook the massive living room. You don't need 4,000 square feet to have a "big" house.
- Honesty in materials. Wright didn't hide the concrete block. He didn't paint the mahogany. He let the materials speak for themselves. In a world of plastic and veneers, there's a lot of value in "real" textures.
- Respect the grid. If you’re designing a space, pick a module (like Wright’s 4-foot square) and stick to it. It creates a weirdly soothing sense of rhythm that you feel even if you don't notice the math.
The Cedric G. and Patricia Neils Boulter House isn't just a museum piece. It’s a living example of how architecture can be smart, beautiful, and slightly difficult all at the same time. It’s a reminder that great design isn't about how much money you spend, but about how well you understand the land you’re standing on.
Your Next Step: If you want to see the interior details without trespassing, search for the HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) drawings for the Boulter House online. The Library of Congress has high-res floor plans and sections that show exactly how those tension rods hold up the second floor—it's a fascinating look at the "guts" of the design.