Farnsworth House

Welcome to the Edith Farnsworth House, an international icon of modern architecture nestled in the serene woodlands of Kendall County, Illinois. I am your guide, and together we will explore this mid-century modern mecca, located…

As we begin our journey along the approach path, take a moment to absorb the profound tranquility of this nine acre woodland plot. The story of this land is deeply intertwined with the creation of the house. …

Standing here before the exterior of the house, the visual impact is immediately striking. The structure appears to float effortlessly above the ground, a pristine, white geometric form hovering within the organic, chaotic beauty…

As we approach the lower terrace, your attention is immediately drawn to the stunning stone beneath your feet. This is travertine, a form of terrestrial limestone deposited by mineral springs, and its inclusion in the Edith…

We now step onto the upper terrace, the covered porch area, bringing us face to face with the defining feature of the Edith Farnsworth House: its walls of continuous glass. The glass is not merely a window; it is the very…

As we cross the threshold and step into the interior living space, you are immediately struck by the sheer volume of the open floor plan. The interior is essentially one large, continuous room measuring fifty five feet long by…

Dominating the center of this expansive, glass-enclosed room is a massive, wood clad central core. This structure is the brilliant mechanical heart of the house, designed to section off the interior without the use of walls that…

At the far northeast corner of the pavilion, tucked behind the massive wooden core, lies the designated sleeping area. The only element separating this intimate space from the rest of the open house is a single, freestanding…

We now look toward the underbelly of the house, the shadowy space between the ground and the floating concrete slab. This critical five-foot void represents Mies van der Rohe's ambitious, yet ultimately flawed, attempt to…

As we conclude our tour and reflect upon the Edith Farnsworth House, we must consider the final chapters of its private ownership. Dr. …