SAN FRANCISCO — Frank Lloyd Wright designed hundreds of landmark buildings and homes during a prolific career that spanned more than seven decades. But in what is widely considered a first and only for the famed architect, Wright indulged a young boy’s humble request for a doghouse in 1956 and sent him designs for the structure.
“I was probably his youngest client and poorest client,” said Jim Berger, now 68.
Berger rebuilt the doghouse last year with his brother, using the original plans. It was featured in a documentary film and will be displayed during screenings starting this month.
Wright designed Berger’s family’s home in San Anselmo, Calif., prompting the then-12-year-old Berger to ask his dad whether Wright would design a home for his black Labrador, Eddie.
Berger’s dad said he didn’t know, so Berger decided to write to the great architect himself.
“I would appreciate it if you would design me a doghouse, which would be easy to build, but would go with our house …,” read the letter dated June 19, 1956. “(My dog) is two and a half feet high and three feet long. The reasons I would like this doghouse is for the winters mainly.”
Berger explained that he would pay Wright from the money he made from his paper route.
“A house for Eddie is an opportunity,” Wright wrote back. But he said he was too busy at the time and asked that Berger write him back in November. Berger did so, and the plan for the doghouse followed — at no charge.
Berger said the original doghouse was not built until about 10 years after he received the designs. Eddie had died by then, so Berger’s father and brother built their house for another family dog.
