| Farnsworth House. Photo: Jon Miller, Hedrich Blessin. Courtesy of National
One of three homes that Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) designed in the
United States, the Farnsworth House was scheduled to be sold in a Sotheby’s
auction on December 12, 2003. The threat that it might be purchased and relocated
became very real. Its relocation would have irrevocably severed the stunning
conversation with the site that Mies achieved.
One month later, George W. Bush unveiled his plans for extended manned exploration
of Mars and the Moon with the goal of living and work on the lunar surface.
Instead of exploring and build on another planet, we should be looking at the
architectural gems that currently surround us. That such a significant artifact
as the Farnsworth House could potentially moved from its original setting instead
of being purchased and preserved on behalf of all Americans to enjoy and study
in perpetuity is distressing. How many historically and architecturally significant
structures continue to be threatened and lost? Why are we turning a blind eye
to the art constructed in our own backyards?
Commissioned by Dr. Edith Farnsworth as her weekend home, the elevated steel
and glass rectangle appears to float five feet above its bucolic site alongside
the Fox River, near Plano, Illinois. The building has called a temple and a
sanctuary more than a residence. It is certain that it is one of the most significant
houses built in the 20th century and a precursor to Philip Johnson’s Glass House
in New Canaan, Connecticut.
In this instance, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Landmarks
Preservation Council of Illinois had the winning bid of $6.7 million, and the
Farnsworth House stays put. Once the objective of the Trust’s continuing campaign
to raise the $5 million for operating and support expenses is achieved, American
public will be able to visit the house as a museum upon its original site along
the Fox River. They will be able to reside there briefly, contemplating the
graceful simplicity of Mies’ design. Surely this is a better investment than
W’s $12 billion feasibility study for Martian and lunar gated communities. At
least some architecture here on Earth should be saved for those of us that will
not be able to afford the ride into space.
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