About The Design

Originally designed in 1941 to be built for a site in Livingston, New Jersey, the home was ultimately built a decade later about ten miles away in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1951 due to production delays caused by World War II.

Unlike most Usonian homes, the Richardson House is uniquely based on hexagonal geometry, with all floor plan angles measuring either 60 or 120 degrees. Designed as a Usonian home, it embodies Wright’s vision of functional, affordable housing for middle-class families and constructed from red brick, old-growth tidewater cypress, and glass, all set upon a Cherokee red, radiant-heated concrete floor—a signature of Wright’s designs.

Set within a secluded woodland meadow, which has been developed over time and now sits within a more congested single-family neighborhood, the property originally featured a stream, multiple ponds, and waterfalls, with a private entrance hidden from view. Despite its tranquil setting, the home is just 20 miles (or 45 minutes) from Midtown Manhattan.

At the heart of the home is a grand triangular living and dining space, anchored by a prow-like wood-burning fireplace and a sculptural inverted truss pyramidal ceiling—an element unlike any other known Wright design.

Fourteen floor-to-ceiling French doors create expansive window walls, seamlessly connecting the indoors with the outdoors. These doors open onto balconies and a heated in-ground swimming pool, surrounded by a flagstone terrace on the southern side of the home. To the north, a triangular planted terrace extends the outdoor living space. Beyond the main living area, the home features a carport, entry loggia, spacious kitchen, library/studio, two bedrooms, a guest bath, and a master suite with a separate dressing area and private bath. Each room retains its original built-in furnishings—desks, dressers, shelving, tables, chairs, and credenzas—designed by Wright to seamlessly integrate with the home’s aesthetic.

About The Original Owner

Stuart and Elisabeth Richardson were the first owners of the Stuart Richardson House, a Usonian home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Stuart, an actuary, and his wife collaborated with Wright on the home’s design while he was in New York working at the Guggenheim Museum. The couple, along with their daughters, Margot and Edith, resided there until 1970.

Frank Lloyd Wright often referred to the Stuart Richardson House "Scherzo" as a tribute to homeowner Stuart Richardson’s love of music. The name references the lively and playful "Scherzo" movement in classical compositions. This musical influence is also reflected in the home’s design, with architectural details that subtly mimic musical notation.

A meticulous restoration by past owners, Edith and John Payne restored the home’s original brilliance in collaboration with Tarantino Architect owners Lawrence and Sharon Tarantino. Their exceptional restoration work has earned them prestigious accolades, including the American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Design Award, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy’s Wright Spirit Award in 2010 for their outstanding restoration of a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home.

Today, the Stuart Richardson House is currently owned by art advisor Todd Levin of the Levin Art Group, who purchased the home in 2016. It remains a striking example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural brilliance, where geometry, nature, and innovation seamlessly converge.

Original Design Plans

Project 4104: Elizabeth and Stuart Richardson House

Source: Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University
Avery Drawings & Archives
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archives: architectural drawings, 1885-1959
Series VII: 1940s