Frank Lloyd Wright’s final residential design completed in ohio
Frank Lloyd Wright’s final residential design is brought to life in Willoughby Hills, Ohio, with the realization of RiverRock—a home originally conceived as The Penfield House in 1959 but only now emerging from the archives. Long thought to be lost to history, this project is the last unbuilt Wright design still tied to its original site. Central to Wright’s vision, a specific poplar tree still stands where he once imagined it. Two years ago, in 2023, owners Marika and Don Dykstra took on the formidable task of constructing the stone house precisely as Wright intended, making sure every visible detail matches the original blueprints while discreetly adapting to today’s building codes beneath the surface.
all images courtesy of RiverRock
the journey of RiverRock, from blueprint to reality
The story of the RiverRock residence traces back to Wright’s long-standing relationship with Louis Penfield, who commissioned him to design the Penfield House in 1953. However, when plans for Interstate 90 threatened to claim the property, Penfield sought a new home design from the legendary architect. Though Wright had officially stopped designing residences, he made an exception for Penfield, drafting a second home just before his passing in April 1959. Months later, the Penfield family received an unexpected delivery—a mailing tube from Taliesin West containing the finalized drawings. Listed as Project #5909 in the Taliesin Archives, this would be Wright’s final residential commission.
An integral part of the home’s identity comes from its name, RiverRock. Frank Lloyd Wright’s original specification book dictated the use of locally quarried stone, a material that Penfield personally gathered from the Chagrin River throughout the 1960s. Decades later, the Dykstras rediscovered these very rocks in the woods, incorporating them into the construction and solidifying the connection of the residence to both its past and landscape. This discovery inspired a subtle modification of the name, honoring the historical significance of the materials. With meticulous adherence to Wright’s blueprints, RiverRock stands today as both a tribute to his legacy and an extraordinary realization of a long-unbuilt masterpiece.
this project is the last unbuilt Wright design still tied to its original site
A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY INSIDE A WRIGHT residence
Unlike many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes, which are preserved as museums, RiverRock offers an immersive experience, one where guests can live within his architecture as he intended. The residence is available for private stays, allowing visitors to appreciate the design philosophy without barriers or crowds. Nestled within 30 wooded acres along the Chagrin River, the house provides a tranquil retreat.
With three bedrooms, a working wood fireplace, and all modern comforts discreetly integrated, RiverRock can accommodate up to six guests. The home is situated just outside Cleveland, with easy access to cultural landmarks such as the Cleveland Museum of Art and Severance Hall, as well as nearby parks and walking trails.
a home originally conceived as The Penfield House in 1959
Frank Lloyd Wright’s original specification book dictated the use of locally quarried stone
RiverRock stands today as both a tribute to Wright’s legacy
guests can live within the American architect’s building as he intended
RiverRock can accommodate up to six guests
every visible detail matches the original blueprints
the home is situated just outside Cleveland
project info:
name: RiverRock | @riverrockhouseohio
architect: Frank Lloyd Wright
location: Willoughby Hills, Ohio, US
