La Miniatura, also known as La Miniatura the Millard House, is a groundbreaking textile block house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1923 in Pasadena, California. It holds a special place in architectural history as the first of Wright’s four Southern California “textile block” houses. Unlike the sprawling Ennis House, the Millard House was designed to be an intimate, vertical residence that “grew” out of its wooded ravine. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains one of Wright’s most innovative works.
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The Millard House was commissioned by Alice Millard, a rare-book dealer and art collector who had previously lived in a Wright-designed home in Illinois. She challenged Wright to provide a house that was both a work of art and a home for her collection.
Preservation and Management
Built on a steep, lushly landscaped hillside, Wright took advantage of the challenging site to create a dramatic structure that feels like an organic part of the garden. Over the years, the home has been meticulously cared for by private owners who have preserved its delicate concrete blocks and unique vertical floor plan. Because it is nestled in a residential ravine, it remains one of the most serene and “hidden” of Wright’s masterpieces.
The Millard House was commissioned by Alice Millard, a wealthy art collector and friend of Wright’s. Millard was looking for a house that would reflect her own unique personality and style, and Wright’s design was the perfect fit. The house was built on a steep hillside, and Wright took advantage of the site to create a dramatic and unexpected structure.
Architectural Style and Innovation
The Millard House is a three-story structure (appearing as two stories from certain angles) with a flat roof and walls of concrete blocks. Wright used local sand and gravel from the building site to color the blocks, ensuring the house blended perfectly with the earth around it. These blocks are arranged in a variety of patterns—some solid and some perforated—to create a striking play of light and shadow.
The interior is open and airy, featuring a double-height living room with a mezzanine and a fireplace that serves as the heart of the home. The house is also notable for its use of natural materials, such as redwood and local stone, which complement the textured concrete. In 1926, Wright’s son, Lloyd Wright, added a separate studio to the property, which further enhanced the “miniature estate” feel of the site.
Plan Your Visit
📍Location
The Alice Millard House is located at 645 Prospect Crescent in Pasadena, California. It is situated in a quiet, historic neighborhood near the Rose Bowl and the Gamble House.
🛑Curb-Side Viewing Only
Please be aware that the Millard House is a privately owned residence and is not open to the public for tours. We kindly ask that you respect the owners’ privacy and refrain from trespassing on the property. The house is tucked into a ravine, making it difficult to see in full from the street, but the upper portions and the unique gate are visible to respectful passersby.
🧳Make it a Trip
Pasadena is an architectural mecca. While visiting the Millard House, you are only minutes away from the Gamble House (designed by Greene & Greene), a masterpiece of the American Arts and Crafts movement. You can also visit Wright’s Hollyhock House in East Hollywood, which is about a 20-minute drive away.
🏨Hotels in Pasadena
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The Langham Huntington, Pasadena – For a stay that matches the luxury and history of La Miniatura, this iconic hotel offers world-class service and historic charm.
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Hotel Dena, Pasadena Los Angeles (Tribute Portfolio) – A creative, modern boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Pasadena.
🎬Movies Filmed on Site
The exotic, almost otherworldly appearance of the textile blocks has made the Millard House a favorite for science fiction productions looking for a “futuristic ancient” aesthetic.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1994) (The house served as the exterior of a Klingon compound in the episode “Blood Oath”.)
Westworld (HBO) (The house appeared in the third season as a high-design residential backdrop.)
Resources, Links & Products
- Culver Frank Lloyd Wright DOF Double Old Fashioned Glass 14-Ounce (Gift Boxed Set of 2, Millard Block)
- Californian Textile Block: Frank Lloyd Wright at a Glance by Abby Moor (Author)
