Science: Usonian Architect

About four miles from Spring Green, Wis., the hills splay into two soft ranges to let a fast stream flow toward the Wisconsin River. Facing southwest over this valley a big, long house folds around the summit of one hill, its roof lines parallel to the line of ridges, its masonry the same red-yellow sandstone that crops out in ledges along the stream. Under snow the house melts easily into the landscape. Its name is Taliesin, a Welsh word meaning

"shining brow." Its history is one of tragic irony. Its character is one...