Steinway Street: Views of a village

One of the stops we made on our tour through Columbus, OH over the weekend was Rush Creek Village.

Have you heard about this place? According to the city's website:

The organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, demonstrated in his Usonian houses, was the major inspiration for Rush Creek Village. Construction actually began in 1956 with the house of Martha and Richard Wakefield, who then became the builder of the neighborhood as well. The designer was Theodore van Fossen, who planned the entire community, defining the individual sites and designing the original houses. The architectural unity of the project was ensured by the rule that the original owners could receive their deeds to their chosen properties only after their plans had been approved by van Fossen.

Isn't that fascinating? All the families who wanted to build in this neighborhood had to have their designs approved before they could build!

No other organically designed community of this size and architectural consistency exists. Each Rush Creek house is unique, but also represents an application of principles common to all. The initial siting of the entire community allows for extended vistas, while the deliberate placement of walls maintains privacy. The community represents a deliberate effort to make excellent architecture available to people of moderate means, while providing an alternative to the standard suburban development. The overall undertaking survives as a remarkable achievement for its time and place.

I think it's amazing how the houses blend right in with the landscapes!

You might have noticed quite a bit of concrete block...

Because the terrain was not bulldozed to accommodate the houses, concrete block was used as a cost-effective way of setting the houses into the landscape. In cases in which houses were partially below grade, the use of block also permitted this same material to continue on to upper levels. Van Fossen felt that concrete block, when used properly, interacted well with other materials, such as wood and glass.

In addition...

Deed restrictions govern the structure and the exteriors of the houses, as well as major changes in landscaping, which could affect the vistas of the neighbors. The deed restrictions serve the continuing purpose of preserving the unique character and architectural integrity of Rush Creek Village. These are significant factors in maintaining the economic value of houses in an area where each is an integral component of the whole.