Saturday, December 27, 2008

Farnsworth House.

To me, this is the most beautiful house in the world. I love the simplicity of the steel and glass structure. I believe that good architecture takes into account the surroundings; the landscape of which the building is going to be part of. It should incorporate the beauty of the world outside into its design.

The Farnsworth House is the perfect example of this. It is built in Plano, Illinois by the Fox River. It was built in 1951 and designed by the famous German architect, Mies van der Rohe. The house is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

Why am I featuring this house (besides the fact that it is one of my favourite buildings) is that in September 2008, tropical storm Lowell, flooded the flood plains (which the house is on) by 8 feet higher than its normal water level. The house has already been elevated by 5 feet and it was not enough to stop the water from entering the house. The interiors of the house was covered in 2 feet of water. Fortunately, the employees saved the furniture by boat.

Anyway the house is opened for tours again even though light restoration work is underway. 

The Farnsworth House taken on the 18th Dec 2008. It looks beautiful in winter.


View of the House from the inside.


Look at how beautiful the trees look from the house.


The Farnsworth House in Autumn.


Chairs lined by the glass wall.


The living room of the house.


The Floods in September 2008. 


This is how the house should sit above flood waters.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree, it is the best. You might enjoy this article by another visitor who thinks this amazing building is "sublime".

http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2004/july-august/ja04feature2.html

Sandra Liao. said...

Thank you very much. I love the article that you have posted. It presents a very different perspective to the already lovely house.