Pasadena Architecture: The Millard House

The fantastic piece of Pasadena architecture known as the Millard House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The Millard House was built in 1923 and was the first in a series of four houses constructed out of concrete blocks.

Frank Lloyd Wright used concrete blocks for this structure because of their durability. Also, he wanted a cost-friendly modern design that was quick to build, and because of the concrete blocks, it was. Mr. Wright figured that the same interlocking design used in different neighborhoods would unite the area.

Mr. Wright was proud of the Millard House, saying he “would rather have built this little house than St. Peter’s in Rome.” Unfortunately, others who had a more disparaging point of view were critical of Mr. Wright for using common building materials. 

If buildings were working actors, the Millard House would be at the top of the list with a mile-long resume. This historic piece of Pasadena architecture has been featured in films and television shows; there have even been autobiographical documentaries about the Millard House itself. Some of those documentaries are “Unseen Magic: Inside the Millard House” (2006), “Form & Function/Building the Millard House” (2016), and “That Far Corner” (2018). Again, this is a partial list.

The television shows include “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” in the episode “Blood Oath.” This famous piece of Pasadena architecture appears as the Secarus IV home of the Albino, an alien villain. That’s for all you Star Trek fans. “Westworld” was also filmed at the famous home.

On December 12, 1976, the National Register of Historic Places added the Millard House.

In 1969, a panel of elite citizens and architectural experts ranked the Millard House as one of the most significant landmarks in all of Los Angeles. It looks like Mr. Wright got the last laugh on those critics of long ago.

Photo Credit: Interior Design Ideas

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by Gerald Olesker, CEO, ADG Lighting