Inside Frank Lloyd Wright's Hidden Masterpiece in Detroit: Dorothy G. Turkel House Tour

Video Description

Tucked away in the heart of Detroit, the Dorothy G. Turkel House is a stunning example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian Automatic design, built in 1955. Today, it’s owned by florists Norm and Dale who have lovingly restored the home, turning it into a personal sanctuary and a celebration of American architectural history. “Usonian Automatic” refers to Wright’s vision of affordable, modern homes built from modular concrete blocks. “Usonian” speaks to open, flexible layouts meant for everyday living, while “Automatic” reflects the idea of simplified construction using pre-cast blocks. While the design was innovative, by the time Norm and Dale found the Turkel House, it had suffered years of neglect. The plumbing, electrical, and roofing were in serious disrepair. But the bones of the house—Wright’s vision—remained strong. Even arriving at the house feels intentional. A long driveway lined with a ribbon of red concrete creates a sense of quiet anticipation. The entrance isn’t grand or obvious; it’s subtle almost as if it’s encouraging you to partake in an explorative game. Once you find the front door, you step into a small, low-ceilinged space that immediately stirs curiosity and you’re given choices about which way to turn. A staircase to the left leads to the private spaces. Straight ahead, glass doors open to the rear garden, and to the right is the music room where Wright’s mastery becomes clear. A narrow hallway suddenly opens up into a soaring space filled with light. Each window is a perfect 24-inch square, framing the outside world like a series of living paintings. Along the walls, built-in shelves originally designed by Wright now hold personal items and treasures collected by Norm and Dale over the years. These little touches turn the home into a reflection of their personalities. The red concrete floors (one of Wright's signature features) anchor the house to the earth, while a silk-and-wool rug adds warmth, its shimmer changing with the light. Furniture includes faithful reproductions of original Wright designs, including a pair of angular kitchen chairs now used in the dining room. (And while they look beautiful, they’re famously uncomfortable, often sparking fun conversations with guests about Wright’s love of form over function.) Stepping out of the music room, guests pass under a low balcony before emerging into a bright, open outdoor space. Originally meant to be a terrace (though it was never completed by Wright), this area has been transformed by Norm and Dale into a peaceful sculpture garden, complete with a tranquil water feature. (FYI: It’s one of the best vantage points for seeing the full length and scale of the home.) Back inside, the kitchen has been updated with modern cabinetry and sleek stainless steel countertops which serve as a respectful nod to Wright’s preferred materials. Oversized windows keep the garden in view at all times. As Dale puts it, living in the Turkel House feels like “living in a garden structure.” Heading up Wright’s signature stairs, known for their shallow and gentle incline, you find yourself in a quiet gallery. One direction leads to the bedrooms, the other to a balcony that looks back over the music room. A detail worth noticing: the balcony railing continues past the glass and straight through to the outside, seamlessly connecting interior and exterior. The bedrooms themselves are compact and minimalist (about 12 by 10 feet) with built-in furniture and high ribbon windows. Wright believed bedrooms should be for rest and privacy, not lounging. The design subtly encourages people to spend more time in the home’s shared spaces, engaging with each other and the surrounding environment. Overall, for Norm and Dale, restoring and living in this remarkable home has been a labor of love. They’ve preserved Wright’s vision while adding their own layer of meaning to it, thus proving that even the most iconic spaces can still evolve and inspire. Enjoy the full episode of Open House here: https://youtu.be/imQaxA1KTtA Subscribe to Open House TV on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/openhouseyoutubesub Open House TV INSTAGRAM: https://bit.ly/2T0aorL Open House TV TWITTER: https://bit.ly/2szkqEX Open House TV FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/2TXSztC