Structure: R.F. Graf House
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Architect: Herbert Graf
Date: 1923
Tidbit: In the early 1900s, Knoxville had an architectural firm called R.F. Graf & Sons, a firm comprised of architect R.F. Graf working alongside his architect sons (a family business, you know?). At some point, one of the sons (Herbert) left the firm to strike out on his own. The local Knoxville newspaper claims that Herbert studied architecture under Frank Lloyd Wright, although I have not been able to corroborate this statement. What’s more likely is that Herbert read Frank Lloyd Wright’s article “A Fireproof House for $5000“ published in the Ladies’ Home Journal of April 1907. The article features a design that looks awfully similar to the Cullum house.

It doesn’t seem like Herbert made it on his own, so he returned to Knoxville and rejoined his dad’s firm. Some sources say he worked with George Barber‘s firm as well. In the mid 1920s, Herbert served helped design a house for his father, the R.F. Graf House (Herbert was chief designer).

The Graf family lived in this house until 1961, when they sold it to Dr. J.P. Cullum. I’ve never seen an interior shot, but the house is still extant and in perfect condition so maybe the owners will open the place up for a tour at some point.

Wanted to include a couple more photos of houses designed off of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fireproof House for $5,000 designs.

Edmund F. Brigham House, Glencoe, Illinois (left) and Stephen M. B. Hunt House I (right)

Oh and reproducing Frank Lloyd Wright’s article here in full (for those who like original scans)