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Llanrwst the Miller House in Muskoka, Designed by Eero Saarinen
Ξ September 26th, 2009 | → 5 Comments | ∇ In and Around Muskoka Ontario |
The Miller family have been summering in Muskoka since 1886. In 1950 J. Irwin Miller who was operating Cummins Diesel convinced well known architect Eero Saarinen to travel to Windermere on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka to design him a cottage. Saarinen was never interested in residential design however took on the commission for his fellow Yale graduate and friend. The cottage was built near the family summer home and was a modern style design that represented high art in its day.
Although the Llanrwst or Miller cottage may not appeal to most people it is certainly reflective of the great bond people felt to Muskoka by placing their treasured dreams on our shorelines. Saarinen only designed 7 residential buildings in his life time so to have one in our Muskoka is a treat.
Eero Saarinen is now considered one of the masters of American 20th century architecture with many great achievements credited to him including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Missouri. Miller became Saarinen’s most consistent client with continuous projects from 1950 to Saarinsen’s death in 1961 at the young age of 51 due to a brain tumor operation.
Additional References:
Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future
Muskoka Famed Modernism
Please click on the image for a larger size
on September 26th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Just… WOW! Very intriguing!
on September 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Very industrial looking…I would think they must have an amazing view!!!
Cheers
on October 5th, 2009 at 11:29 am
This cottage burned to the ground a few years back, and was rebuilt in its own image to preserve its history.
on June 30th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
The Millers have been in Muskoka since 1876, not 1886. Also, the building could not be less industrial because the materials are mostly native: the original bass wood was taken from two trees logged from the property; there wasn’t any steel at all in the old building (the current building dept required it upon rebuilding); and all rooms open out into the air- another feature of the old, but true muskoka cottages.
on June 30th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Also, Eero always gave Milton Goeltz most of the credit because he was the Master Builder/ Carpenter and without him, Eero said the building would not have been able to be built. So, you should credit Mr. Goeltz as well. He was a local builder from the town and brilliant at solving problems that the architect and client presented.