James Daniel Derby House
Architect Lloyd Wright designed the house he built for businessman James Daniel Derby and his family in Glendale in 1926 in the American Modernistic style with Mayan features. He made plentiful use of interlocking precast concrete blocks and dramatic geometric designs. It is one of six houses designed by Lloyd Wright or his father, Frank Lloyd Wright, in a system called Knit-Block. The senior Wright acknowledged his son’s inspiration on the structures he designed. The Derby House “is considered one of the landmarks of modern architecture in Southern California.” Reportedly, James Derby was never able to occupy the house due to a family separation prior to completion of the house. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Glendale, Los Angeles County
Photographer: Al Russell