WUNDERLUSTRE

Touring The Gordon House: Frank Lloyd Wright's Hidden Northwest Gem

The Gordon House Exterior View

Recently, I found myself craving a change of pace and traveled away from the energy of my city to spend a few days simply enjoying a different landscape. But apparently, even on a getaway, I can’t quite turn off my curiosity.

As I began looking for things to explore locally, I stumbled upon an architecture tour of the Gordon House, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright’s work has been a longtime interest of mine, and over the years I’ve made a point of visiting several of his houses, including the iconic Fallingwater in Pennsylvania and Hollyhock House in Los Angeles. Each experience has left me with a deeper appreciation for the way Wright created spaces between architecture and landscape, creating homes that feel rooted in their surroundings rather than simply placed upon them.

What began as a spontaneous search for something interesting to do became an unexpected architectural adventure—and an opportunity to discover a Frank Lloyd Wright house I knew surprisingly little about. The Gordon House was about to become the highlight of my weekend, and a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding discoveries are the ones you weren’t planning to make.

Usonian Built Ins
Gordon House Gift Shop
Gordon House Kitchen

A little background on the architect

 

Frank Lloyd Wright was a legendary American Architect who revolutionized modern design through his philosophy of organic architecture and the creation of the Prairie Style. 
He is known for key concepts such as 

 

  • Organic Architecture: Wright believed in designing buildings that lived in complete harmony with their surrounding natural environment.  Rather than put a home on top of a hill, he would rather build a home into the slope of a hill to create an unobtrusive profile to the landscape.
  • Prairie Style: He pioneered this style for residential homes, featuring low, wide roofs, strong horizontal lines, and open-plan interiors that broke away from traditional box-like rooms.
  • Usonian Homes: He created affordable, functional, and stylish single-family housing concepts designed for middle-income Americans. 
  • Total Environment: Wright viewed furniture as a “room within the room”, matching the structure’s exact wood palette, proportions, and horizontal lines  

the gordon's usonian dream

The Gordon House exemplifies the Usonian concept amidst the tranquil landscape of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. As the only structure in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, it showcases his architectural philosophy. Built to be “organic and democratic,” the house features open and flexible spaces suitable for various uses. Usonian architecture aims to be affordable and efficient, utilizing simple materials such as concrete and wood, along with open floor plans. Typically one storey (although the Gordon residence has 2) with low-pitched roofs, Usonian homes are filled with natural light and blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings.  However, the Gordon House currently lacks a key element: the “seamless integration of the structure with its natural surroundings”. This is due to the fact that the Gordon House is not situated on the land for which it was originally designed.  In fact, as an act of preservation, the house was moved from its original setting (Scenic views of Mount Hood out one window, and the Willamette River on the opposite side).
 
In 1956, while vacationing in Arizona, Conrad and Evelyn Gordon visited Taliesin West, the winter home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Gordons had an opportunity to meet with Wright, who accepted the commission to design a house for their farm on the south bank of the Willamette River, in the area of Wilsonville, Oregon.  
 
Gordon House Back Stair
Gordon House Childrens Room

construction and legacy

The original construction of the home was completed following Wright’s death, under the supervision of his former apprentice, Burton Goodrich. The design of perforated wooden window treatments (fretwork) functions as built in light screens and display patterns unique to the Gordon House.   Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings often showcase unique repetitive patterns that are specific to each location, many of which include stained glass. Aligning with the Usonian concept, the Gordon Home fretwork acts as a cost-effective alternative. Designed for maximum efficiency, inventive storage solutions are used throughout the house and eliminate the need for a basement and attic.
 

After the Gordons passed away, the home was purchased by another family who planned to demolish it to build a bigger, more modern home in its location.  The Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy, a charitable organization whose mission is to preserve Wright’s legacy, stepped forward and struck an agreement with the new owners to save the house on the condition that it be moved from the site.  The house was dismantled and moved 24 miles from its original site in Wilsonville, Oregon to its current setting, The Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon.  The Gordon House is now located in an oak grove, designed to closely resemble its original site in Wilsonville.  It maintains a true North compass orientation in accordance with Frank Lloyd Wright’s specifications for optimal natural light and ventillation.  While the view of the Willamette River has changed, it’s now complemented by a tranquil rural landscape that evokes that original farm setting.  It was reconstructed to serve as a public museum, and remains the only building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright open to visitors in the Pacific Northwest.

 
Gordon House Master Bedroom
Mexican Chairs featured in The Gordon House

The Gordon House Tour

I purchased tickets for an architectural tour on the Gordon House website, and looked forward to my visit. Upon entering the home, I recalled lessons on Frank Lloyd Wright that I learned in college and his vision of creating environments where one feels “Born into” a space. The entryway was compact and shadowed, a stark contrast to what lay beyond. With a gentle shift, the foyer opened up to reveal a vast living area, bathed in a warm, dappled light that poured in through the intricately designed fretwork panels. I instantly noticed the built-ins and custom furniture in the living room, including some small tables and a banquette. Wright was known to view furniture as a part of the architecture, and this scenario is beautifully on display in the Gordon residence.
 
To the right of the entry, the master bedroom felt both intimate and distinctly Wright. Sleek built-in storage disappeared into the architecture, leaving the room open and serene.  The room was given some warmth with a carefully curated collection of elegant Asian artwork. The pieces offered a quiet reminder of Wright’s time in Japan, an influence that found its way into his architecture through his appreciation for simplicity, craftsmanship, and the beauty of carefully considered space
.  
The kitchen, modestly tucked away off the back of the living space (as Wright detested clutter), includes the original red Formica, and was styled with charming appliances that echoed the period’s aesthetic, blending seamlessly into the home’s character.
Climbing to the second floor, you are greeted with a small creative nook where Mrs. Gordon had thoughtfully set up a loom, ready for weaving. On either side of the stairwell sit the children’s rooms, each featuring built-in wood cabinetry and shelves, plus rows of fretwork panels across the windows, allowing just the right amount of both privacy and light.
 
The entire home exuded a simple elegance, and it was easy to imagine the Gordons enjoying their life designed for functional beauty.  I thoroughly enjoyed my architectural tour of the Gordon House.  The tour guides provided a well informed history of the Gordons themselves, while pointing out all the little details that make the space unique.  Although it seems a little sad to not be able to fully experience Wright’s vision in the original location, I still found the Gordon Home to be a testament to the Usonian concept. Visiting this architectural gem offers a unique opportunity to explore not only Wright’s innovative design principles but also the rich history that envelops the house and its occupants. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or simply seeking a moment of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Gordon House invites you to step into a world where beauty, budget, and functionality converge.
 
 
Gordon House Fretwork above Built Ins

Visitor Info...

Advance tickets are available at https://www.thegordonhouse.org/

Experience a guided tour of the only Frank Lloyd Wright design built in Oregon.

Open Hours

Spring & Summer Hours (March–November)

Wednesday–Sunday
Guided tours at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm

Fall & Winter Hours (November–February)

Friday–Sunday
Guided tours at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm

Buy Tickets Now

Adult: $20

College & University Students with ID: $10
Youth (Ages 12–18): $5
Child (Age 11 & Under): Free
Gordon House Members: Free
FLW Reciprocal Site Member with Card: Free

Location

The Gordon House is located in Silverton, Oregon, next to the Oregon Garden. When driving, follow signs to the Oregon Garden.

869 W Main Street
Silverton, Oregon

 

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