“In many ways, the Dr. Dauchy and Frances Migel House is the most intriguing of the three Troutner designs in this (Troutner Historic) district. Although the Aupperle residence is distinctive for its tall A-frame design, and the Poitevin house for its innovative roof structure and circular plan, the Migel house is a radical departure from either of those two. Built in 1956, the house sits on a 3.7 acre parcel in the south half of the District. It is a single-story structure laid out in what can perhaps be described as a clipped triangular star. The house itself consists of three “wings,” over which, and offset by 40 degrees, is a raised triangular roof segment which from above somewhat resembles a six-pointed star. This effect is enhanced by the quartzite patio which follows the orientation of the offset roof segment. For descriptive purposes, the three wings of the house are designated according to the approximate compass direction toward which they project; that is, northwest, east, and southwest.
Overall, the house encompasses approximately 2,820 square feet, including the two-car garage space. It sits on a concrete slab foundation, much of which (both interior floor and exterior patio) is covered with quartzite flagstones. Each exterior end of the truncated portion of the “star” curves slightly away from the center and is composed of quartzite stone. The exterior walls between these three stone walls are comprised of vertical overlapped cedar boards below large frame picture windows. Some of the windows have been replaced with doublepane units which did not change either the dimensions of the openings nor the appearance of the original design. Above most windows are fixed transom-lites which provide additional natural light to the interior. On the east and southwest wings are large sliding glass doors which provide access to the primary flagstone patio on the southeast side of the house.
The interior of the house is dominated by quartzite flagstone floors and walls, wood paneled walls, and tongue-in-groove wood ceilings. Despite the darkness of the materials, the ample windows provide well-illuminated interior spaces. Floor to ceiling stone walls, along with the massive stone fireplace in the interior, add a substantial presence to the hallways and interior spaces. Aside from the garage described below, the interior of the house is remarkably intact, including the paneling, cabinetry, light fixtures, and folding wood accordion doors. The east wing was originally designed as a two-car garage, but within 5 years after construction, it was converted to a den. On the north exterior of the former garage a single person door and vertical cedar siding replaced the two garage doors, while the south exterior has vertical siding and a floor-to-ceiling picture window.”
“The primary architectural significance of the Migel house is the extraordinary tri-partite design of the floorplan. For a relatively small footprint, the house provides an unusual amount of “privacy” in that the three wings are physically and functionally separate from each other. The center of the house, and the center of human activity, is the kitchen/dining/living space which works as it should, a commons for the occupants.”
Source: National Register of Historic Places, Troutner District nomination form (https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Art_Troutner_Houses_Historic_District_08000868.pdf)