19145 Strathcona Drive
Set on the edge of Detroit’s historic Palmer Woods neighborhood, the Turkel House is a rare gem: the only two-story Usonian Automatic ever built and the sole Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence within the city limits. Completed in 1958 for Dorothy G. Turkel, the home is composed of more than 36 patterns of precast concrete blocks laid on a two-foot square grid, with an L-shaped configuration, a flat roof, and no attic or basement—hallmarks of Wright’s innovative vision.
Yet beyond its architectural significance, the gardens surrounding this extraordinary structure are equally compelling and offer visitors a serene, immersive experience. Designed to complement Wright’s philosophy of blurring the boundaries between indoors and out, the current landscape brings his organic vision to life with clarity and reverence.
Installed roughly a decade ago, the gardens were a complete transformation of what had once been an overgrown and untended yard. “Most everything under 12 feet tall was brought in,” explains homeowner Dale Morgan. Landscape architect Richard Hass of Stewart Hass and Associates (Eastpointe) conceived the design, while Tuzinowski Landscape continues to provide expert installation and maintenance. The result is a harmonious blend of art, architecture, and ecology.
Drawing inspiration from prairie-style landscaping that Wright favored, the gardens showcase plants indigenous to Michigan. Winding gravel pathways lead visitors through curated beds filled with native perennials, ornamental grasses, and seasonal blooms. Sculptures are thoughtfully placed among the greenery, adding a touch of modern artistry without disrupting the landscape’s natural flow.
Sound and space are also thoughtfully considered in the garden design. Although the property borders bustling Seven Mile Road, rows of hydrangeas and hedges of juniper help dampen the hum of passing cars, creating a surprisingly peaceful urban sanctuary. This use of natural buffers reflects Wright’s belief that even in dense environments, one could achieve a sense of privacy and tranquility through thoughtful planning and landscaping.
The terrace and central fountain serve as focal points, inviting quiet reflection or conversation, while connecting seamlessly with the home’s airy interior—especially the striking two-story living room, which Wright called the “music room.” With more than 200 pierced, light-admitting concrete blocks filtering sun and shadow, the interior echoes the textured, dappled quality of the outdoor spaces.
The Turkel House and its surrounding gardens form a unified composition of light, form, and function. Though Wright’s Usonian Automatic method ultimately proved more costly than intended, the home’s elegant simplicity and seamless connection to nature remain timeless. Today, through loving restoration of both architecture and landscape, the current owners have realized a vision that is not only true to Wright’s original intent, but also alive with their own passion for beauty and design.
Visitors are invited to enjoy the gardens at a leisurely pace—observe the way plantings echo the home’s geometry, pause beside the fountain, or simply sit and listen as the breeze moves through the foliage. This is a space where nature and architecture speak quietly, but profoundly, in unison.