The Kalil House, a remarkable 1957 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence located in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. The announcement was made by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, recognizing the home's exceptional architectural significance and historical importance.
The Kalil House represents one of only seven Usonian Automatic homes ever constructed by Wright, making it an extraordinarily rare example of the renowned architect's innovative design philosophy. The Usonian Automatic style was a variation of Wright's broader Usonian architectural movement, which he developed in the late 1930s with the ambitious goal of providing affordable, high-quality housing options for middle-class Americans across the country.
Wright's Usonian Automatic designs, of which approximately 20 were conceived, aimed to further reduce construction costs by incorporating modular concrete elements throughout the building process. This innovative approach was intended to make Wright's distinctive architectural vision more accessible to a broader segment of the American population while maintaining the quality and aesthetic principles that defined his work.
The project was originally commissioned in 1954 by Dr. Toufic and Mildred Kalil, who envisioned creating a home that embodied Wright's revolutionary design principles. However, the construction proved to be significantly more expensive than initially anticipated. The home's estimated cost of $25,000 eventually ballooned to $75,000 by the time construction was completed, demonstrating the challenges inherent in Wright's ambitious architectural concepts.
The residence stands as an exemplary representation of Usonian Automatic design principles and construction techniques. The single-story structure was built using an impressive 2,580 concrete blocks, creating a solid and distinctive foundation for the home's unique aesthetic. The building features a poured concrete floor that provides both durability and visual continuity throughout the space.
One of the most striking architectural elements of the Kalil House is its incorporation of hundreds of stacked rectangular windows, which create a distinctive pattern of light and shadow while maintaining Wright's emphasis on the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. The interior features beautiful mahogany panels and doors that are hung on the inner walls, adding warmth and natural beauty to the concrete structure.
The Kalil House has remained remarkably well-preserved throughout its existence, having been owned by the Kalil family for much of its history. This long-term stewardship has resulted in the retention of nearly all of its original Wright-designed furnishings, including custom lamps, rugs, fixtures, and furniture pieces that were specifically created to complement the home's architectural vision.
According to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, "Kalil House retains an extremely high level of integrity, having undergone no alterations or major restorations since it was completed." This exceptional state of preservation makes the home particularly valuable as both an architectural landmark and a historical document of Wright's design philosophy.
In 2019, the Kalil House was purchased by the Currier Museum of Art, which has taken on the responsibility of preserving and sharing this architectural treasure with the public. Notably, the museum also owns Wright's Zimmerman House, which is located down the street from the Kalil House, creating a unique concentration of Wright architecture in Manchester.
Visitors interested in experiencing these remarkable examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural legacy can arrange tours of both houses through the Currier Museum of Art. This accessibility ensures that future generations will be able to appreciate and learn from these exceptional examples of American architectural innovation and design.
