2009
Llanrwst the Miller House in Muskoka, Designed by Eero Saarinen
The Miller family have been summering in Muskoka since 1886. In 1950 J. Irwin Miller who was operating Cummins Diesel convinced well known architect Eero Saarinen to travel to Windermere on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka to design him a cottage. Saarinen was never interested in residential design however took on the commission for his fellow Yale graduate and friend. The cottage was built near the family summer home and was a modern style design that represented high art in its day.
Although the Llanrwst or Miller cottage may not appeal to most people it is certainly reflective of the great bond people felt to Muskoka by placing their treasured dreams on our shorelines. Saarinen only designed 7 residential buildings in his life time so to have one in our Muskoka is a treat.
Eero Saarinen is now considered one of the masters of American 20th century architecture with many great achievements credited to him including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis Missouri. Miller became Saarinen’s most consistent client with continuous projects from 1950 to Saarinsen’s death in 1961 at the young age of 51 due to a brain tumor operation.
Additional References:
Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future
Muskoka Famed Modernism
