The 1982 Kohler demonstration home was designed by architect Vernon Swaback a former apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright. When commenting on the vision for the design Swaback stated, “we wanted a prominent house- almost cubistic, crystalline – on that corner”. The concept ran in parallel with the 50-Year Master Plan developed by Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. With the intent to further develop the community with a “village center, a wildlife sanctuary, industrial center, a farm community and diverse residential groupings.”

It was designed with the idea of living in harmony with nature and embracing the latest technology, the Sun’s power. The south side of the home featured a dramatic glass enclosed greenhouse designed as a passive solar collector, storing the sun’s warmth. The lower level of the greenhouse was primarily an indoor garden area, the upper level an exercise “zone” and spa room, each area included Franciscan tiled floors to contribute to heat collecting. The north side of the home had an earth berm up to 4ft in some areas to protect the home from the north-westerly winds.

The home is a time capsule to the era and still includes almost all of the original Kohler fixtures.

The upper-level greenhouse included a sunken Kohler Super Spa, a durable teakwood Super Spa entertainment table, and your very own Serra drinking fountain. Other products featured in the home included the Habitat “Environmental Enclosure” in the Master Suite, a powder room featuring the Le Gran pedestal sink in “Black, Black”, Kohler’s IV Georges faucet and accessory line in brass with black accents, an Epicurean Kitchen Sink and a Gibson Bar Sink conveniently located between the kitchen and family room for the ultimate in entertaining guests.