Today we are posting the first document in our “No Detail Too Small” series. As we digitize the materials associated with the Miller House and Garden, we’ve noticed the Millers’ attention to detail is, um, remarkable. Mrs. Miller wanted a permanent location for the can opener & paper towel roll so that neither “becomes a permanent nuisance.”

J. Irwin Miller to Kevin Roche, 13 April 1956, 1/6 Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f006_042)

This design for a TV Cabinet by the office of Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates features a pivot for TV to be swung in and out of cabinet. 

Photocopy of TV Cabinet drawing (8 1/2 x 11 in.) by Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates, 7 June 1974, 9/88, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B009_f088_079)

This is an architectural drawing of the Millers’ “THRONE ROOM,” or commode room as it’s referred to in other correspondence.  In 1999, the Millers requested a grab bar be installed in this portion of their master bathroom and called upon none other than Kevin Roche to oversee the design. While YES, it’s funny to come across a drawing of a toilet within the archival collection of an architectural masterpiece, this document is telling of how carefully any addition or change to the house was considered. It also serves as a reminder that Miller House functioned as a family residence.  Structural changes such as these allowed the Millers to live in their home until the end of their lives and design quality was always considered alongside functionality.

Drawing of 2760 commode room , sent by Irwin Management to Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates, 28 January 1999, 09/82, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B009_f082_045)

As the Millers grew older and found it more difficult to navigate the conversation pit’s stairs and low seating, they asked Kevin Roche to propose changes. His solution included a banister and cushions with a larger profile. 

Read IMA textile conservator Amanda Holden’s recent blog post about the IMA’s interpretation of the pit and the changes the Millers made to it.

Conversation Center drawing by Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates, 3 January 1995, FF 68, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_IIIc_FF68)

As President Johnson’s term was ending, J. Irwin Miller wrote to Johnson to thank him for his service to the country and for allowing him (Miller) to serve Johnson. The Post Office mentioned by Miller would be designed by Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo and Associates.

J. Irwin Miller to President Lyndon B. Johnson, 19 December 1968, 3/22, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B003_f022_025)

In 1970 the Millers were considering replacing their stove top with a newer Thermador. These are a few pages from a brochure which Kevin Roche, John Dinkeloo & Associates sent to the Millers. In the end, the Millers decided against replacing the original stove top.

Three pages from 12-page Thermador brochure, 1960s, 7/63, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ib_B007_f063_054-055, MHG_Ib_B007_f063_064)

Kevin Roche enclosed a proposal for the sound system at Miller House from Sight and Sound Company in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The proposal also includes advertisements for a speaker selector that would control a multi-speaker installation.

Kevin Roche to J. Irwin Miller, 5 March 1956, 1/6, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana (MHG_Ia_B001_f006_052-057)

On this day, Dan Kiley, per the request of Kevin Roche, wrote Mr. Miller to describe how the grass would be cut around the terrace platform. Kiley included a sketch for further clarification.

Dan Kiley to J.I. Miller, 22 October 1956, 1/3, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Ia_B001_f003_005-006)