History
Farnsworth House, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, completed 1951. Conceived as a weekend retreat for Dr. Edith Farnsworth. A model exhibited at MoMA, New York in 1947. The National Trust for Historic Preservation renamed it the Edith Farnsworth House in 2021. One of three private residences by Mies van der Rohe in the United States.
Architecture
Architecture expresses Mies van der Rohe's "less is more" philosophy. Constructed of steel, glass, and concrete. Travertine, plaster, and Primavera plywood used in finishes. Glass walls dissolve interior and exterior boundaries. The structure is elevated 1.6 meters above the floodplain.
Setting
Located in Plano, Illinois, on a 10-62 acre secluded wooded site. The property lies along the Fox River, 55-58 miles southwest of Chicago. The house sits elevated 1.6 meters above the floodplain. Light filters through the surrounding woods, integrating structure with landscape.
Specifications
Total floor area measures 140 m². Simple plan, open living space.
In print
National Register of Historic Places, 2004. National Historic Landmark, 2006. Exhibited: Museum of Modern Art, 1947. Featured: The New York Times (2021), ArchDaily, Divisare, Open Space Series.
