Modern Snapshot: Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House

Radiant floor heat never felt so good. I had finally made the pilgrimage to Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House on the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, 47 miles west of Chicago. It was only November but the Chicago area was hit with winter-like cold and I was not prepared.

As our small tour group walked from the visitor center to the house, we took in the crisp air and view of the river, which has flooded the house several times. As we approached the glass house, the tour guide stopped us and gave his overview of the house, which was finished in 1951 and the subject of bitter lawsuits between Mies and his client, Dr. Edith Farnsworth. Finally, he saw me shivering to death and we finally were allowed to enter the shrine but not before we took off our shoes as we approached the door. With all that glass, you feel as if you are outside even when indoors but the radiant feet on my sock-clad feet was enveloping. Warmed up, I was able to take in the view of the river from inside and appreciate the simple yet complex work by the Bauhaus master. Here are few images to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

Event: Modernizing Mies’ MLK Library

If you want to see what initial plans look like for possible changes to Mies van der Rohe’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, the National Building Museum is hosting an event with the architects from D.C.-based Martinez & Johnson and the Dutch firm Mecanoo Architecten. The event will be held Thursday, June 18 from 12:30–1:30 pm at the museum. The event is free but but pre-registration is required. Register and learn more here.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, aerial view. Rendering courtesy DC Public Library.

Mies’ Highfield House in Baltimore Marks 50 Years

Mies van der Rohe’s Highfield House in Baltimore this weekend marked 50 years since it opened its doors to residents. Seems like the more traditional-minded neighbors did not approve when it was originally built. The condo (it was originally apartments) building just north of Johns Hopkins Homewood campus was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. (The only other building in Maryland designed by Mies is the 1962 One Charles Center office building, which is also on the National Register of Historic Places.)
I found one unit currently for sale. The 2 bed/2 bath is listed for $199K.
A view of Mies’ Highfield House from N. Charles Street.
Built in 1964, the 15-story reinforced-concrete and glass structure is perched on columns that shelter a glass-enclosed lobby with its Mies-designed Barcelona chairs, ottomans and coffee table.

Appropriate furniture in the lobby, which features terrazzo floors.

Mies’ plan, originally designed as an apartment building, included the surrounding grounds with a sunken pool and landscaped recreation area.
Mies’ minimalist modern landscape on the back terrace.
Mies’ modern planting beds.
Highland House’s back terrace and sunken swimming pool.
Back lawn area with free-standing screen.
A shot of the back of Highfield House through the minimalist plantings.

Finalists to Present MLK Library Ideas

Happy Martin Luther King Day. I thought it was appropriate to give an update on the expected renovation and modernization of Mies van der Rohe’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in DC. In late December, three architecture teams were selected as finalists to present plans for the library. Each firm will present two ideas: “One of a stand-alone library and one of a mixed-use building with additional floors,” according to the library. “Both design ideas are intended to show each team’s vision and approach to renovating the central library. No decisions have been made on the type or extent of the renovations or additions to the library.”
The three firms selected are: Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson Architecture; Patkau Architects/Ayers Saint Gross with Krueck +Sexton; and STUDIOS Architecture/The Freelon Group.
In early February, the firms’ design ideas will be displayed at the library, in neighborhood libraries and on the library’s website. The three teams will present their design ideas and approach at a public meeting Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. in the MLK Library’s Great Hall at 901 G St. NW.
If you want to make recommendations, you can submit your ideas through this link.
The only Mies-designed building in Washington, the library was designated in 2007 by the District of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Review Board as a historic landmark–both the interior and exterior. It was also listed that same year on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mies-designed MLK Library was designed in 1968 and finished in 1972. Experts are examining what should be Read More >

Event: Building Museum Explores ‘Miesian’ Architecture

The National Building Museum’s Architecture 101 series will explore “Miesien” architecture on July 20. Kevin Herrington, professor of art & architectural history at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), will examine the architecture of, or influenced by, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe which is characterized by large expanses of plate glass, visible steel framing and minimal structural decoration. The discussion runs from 11 am to 12:30 pm. You can sign up here.
Mies’ Crown Hall at ITT.

Modern Snapshot: Mies’ Crown Hall at IIT

1961 bust of Mies by Hugo Weber.
I saw this tweet posted yesterday: (CREATION/DESTRUCTION – S. R. Crown Hall’s interior during finals week at Illinois Institute of Technology) along with this picture. I had a chance to stroll through Crown Hall–designed by Mies in 1956–during a quieter time this summer. There was no one else on the top open floor with 18 foot-ceilings, which is used to hold various classes simultaneously. I did spot a few students in the library downstairs and some models scattered throughout the work rooms. A National Historic Landmark, the building underwent major exterior renovations in 2005. All I could think as I toured the building was: What a space to study architecture. (If only I was better at math and a bit younger.)

Below are various views of the building’s top floor.

I could use some terrazzo floors like these.

The Future of Mies’ MLK Library

Interesting post from DCist about the debate over the composition of a panel that is looking into what should be done with the Mies van der Rohe-designed Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The eight-person panel convened by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) has no DC residents. The question is: Is that a good thing or not ? Residents were invited to give comments to the Board of Library Trustees at a public meeting Wednesday evening and the panel’s presentation of findings and recommendations will be open to the public. The presentation will be held, Friday Nov. 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Great Hall of the MLK Library if you want to go hear for yourself.
The only Mies-designed building in Washington, the library was designated in 2007 by the District of Columbia’s Historic Preservation Review Board as a historic landmark–both the interior and exterior. It was also listed that same year on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mies-designed MLK Library was designed in 1968 and finished in 1972. Experts are examining what should be done with the historic building.