The Shavin House, a rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is currently on the market for $1.6 million. Located on Missionary Ridge, the home is constructed from native Tennessee Crab Orchard stone and Louisiana cypress, featuring Wright’s “compression and release” architectural principles and expansive glass walls to integrate the indoor and outdoor environments.
Why is the Shavin House an architectural rarity?
The property is a physical manifestation of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. According to current owner Karen Shavin, the home was designed to treat the surrounding landscape—including views of the Tennessee River and Lookout Mountain—as the primary artwork of the interior. Shavin noted that the home contains no art hangings because the environment itself serves that purpose.
The structure utilizes mitered corner windows and clerestory lighting to maximize natural light. It also features built-in furnishings and a cantilevered carport roof. While Wright provided the design, Shavin stated her father served as the general contractor for the construction.
How does the home integrate with the Tennessee landscape?
The residence is built primarily from Tennessee Crab Orchard stone, a material that anchors the house to its specific geographic location. This choice of native stone, paired with Louisiana cypress, allows the structure to blend into the ridge. The property also includes native gardens and a pond specifically designed for the site.
This approach aligns with the philosophy of Frank Lloyd Wright. By using local materials, the Shavin House minimizes the visual disruption between the man-made structure and the natural valley.
What happens to the home’s original design integrity?
Maintaining the authenticity of a Wright-designed home presents a challenge for future owners. Karen Shavin revealed that her parents made various changes to the residence over the years, stating, “only I hold the secret to what’s original and what’s not.”
For collectors of architectural history, this creates a tension between modernizing a home for 21st-century living and preserving the original blueprint. Shavin expressed a hope that the next owner will treat the property as a long-term residence that remains “attuned to nature” and “oriented towards beauty.”
How does the $1.6 million valuation compare to other Wright properties?
The listing price of $1.6 million reflects the square footage and location on Missionary Ridge and the architect. While many Wright-designed homes are preserved as museums, a private residence of this caliber remains a commodity in the Southeast real estate market.
The value is driven by specific architectural details:
- Mitered Glass: Corner windows that create a seamless transition.
- Cantilevered Elements: The carport roof.
- Native Materiality: The use of Crab Orchard stone increases the home’s historical and regional significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Shavin House?
The house was designed by the famed U.S. architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Where is the Shavin House located?
It is located on Missionary Ridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee, overlooking the Tennessee Valley.
What materials were used in the construction?
According to the owner, the home is built primarily of native Tennessee Crab Orchard stone and Louisiana cypress.
What is the current asking price?
The home is listed for $1.6 million via Sotheby’s International Realty.
What do you think about the balance between modernizing a home and preserving architectural history? Let us know in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into historic real estate.
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