Society of Architectural Historians - Chicago Chapter

ON THE ROAD: LASALLE PERU - JUNE 22ND

2008-04-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

On the Road with SAH Chicago Chapter:
Explore LaSalle Peru, the Hegeler Carus Sites, Hotel Kaskaskia and

the Premier Season of the I & M Canal Boat Tour

During the last half of the 19th century the Hegeler and Carus families settled in the Illinois River Valley forming a significant cultural, scientific and publishing empire. Their accomplishments include innovations in metallurgy and mining, philosophy and theology and considerable architectural patronage.

The Carus family sought the best in design talent.including the landmark 16,000 square foot residence by W. W. Boyington with lavish hand-painted and embellished interior by August Fiedler, an exquisite library setting by William LeBaron Jenney, an associated residence by Pond & Pond and even Mies van der Rohe advised the current Carus clan on their home in the late 195o's.

SAH Chicago Chapter’s exploration will include special access and Carus family members will be on-hand. Space is limited. Reserve early. Cost is $75 for members. $85 for non-members. $60 for student members and $70 for student non-members.

ITINERARY: Leave Prairie Av. Bookstore
418 S. Wabash 9:30 SHARP.
Fruit, OJ & Snacks on Bus

Tour Hegeler Carus Sites
11:45 – 1:30

Catered Lunch at HC Sites 1:30 – 2:15

Visit Hotel Kaskaskia
2:15 – 3:00

I & M Canal Boat Tour 3:15 – 4:15

Return Chicago (418 S. Wabash) 6:30

Click here to download the attendee form.

Watch this space for further info and a study guide for the trip.

Weblinks:

The Hegeler Carus Foundation

The I & M Canal

Hotel Kaskaskia

W. W. Boyington

August Fiedler

Questions: Call Keith at 708-358-1394 or email sahchicago@gmail.com

Book Review: Great Houses of Chicago 1871 - 1921

2008-04-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Great Houses of Chicago 1871-1921
Susan Benjamin and Stuart Cohen
Foreword by Franz Schulze and Arthur H. Miller
9 x 12 inches, 334 pages
ISBN: 978-0-926464-39-8 • $75.00
Acanthus Press

Synopsis: An essential reference tool for Chicago architecture, interior design, decorative art and history libraries.

SAH and Chicago Chapter members Susan Benjamin and Stuart Cohen have produced the most comprehensive overview on Chicago’s mansions, castles and residential fortresses. This outstanding volume balances diverse sources and matches the pantheon of architects with those early patrons - the pioneers, nouveau riche and old eastern money.

Nearly 350 sepia toned photographs, drawings, and floor plans are breathtaking in scope and detail. The visual content effectively evokes the muffled footsteps of parlor maids and rebukes by gruff railroad barons. Rare figures of inhabitants intervene only occasionally; a child on a tricycle, Mr. Eliphalet Blatchford in his library but mostly the human presence consists of portraits above highly embellished fireplaces. Even so, readers will derive a clear sense of each family’s private aesthetic and public facade.

Interior design and decorative arts are as compelling as the structures. Paintings, sculpture, textiles, carvings, animal skins, all manner of souvenirs from grand tours and chotzkes galore - are piled in impeccable abandon. It's tempting to search for the few objects that found their way to the Art Insitute's collection.

The Editorial content is superb in providing the ontology of Chicago’s residential style, social context, family history and the sources of wealth. Great Chicago Houses is also peppered with aridly amusing anecdotes. It makes a surprisingly entertaining read.

I was especially touched by the 1903 Julius Rosenwald House by Nimmons & Fellows and the authors' treatment. The book’s testimony to one of the greatest of Chicago’s early entrepreneurs and philanthropists is gracious and the house itself is uncomplicated but beautifully designed.

Julius Rosenwald House
One note for the inevitable 2nd edition: while some photo dates are available in the Illustration Credits, label dates or indication of the probable range when the pictures were taken (circa) or even “date unknown” would provide an even richer context. Knowing if the varnish on the spindles is dry or decades old would add polish to this significant volume.

- Keith Bringe

Charnley House

Holabird Film at AIA Chicago Offices - April 21st

2008-03-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

Photo William Locke, 2008

Refreshments at 5:30 / Film at 6:00 / Discussion with John Holabird at 6:30
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite, #250
Free for Members / $10 for Non-Members
RSVP TO Judy Freeman 773-929-0329 or jrfree3500@aol.com

On Monday, April 21st, the SAH and AIA Chicago Chapters will partner to show a short documentary on the career of John Holabird. Produced and directed by filmmaker Karen Carter, the 20 minute piece was made in association with Holabird’s AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award. We are delighted that Mr. Holabird will be on-hand to answer questions.

John Augur Holabird was born in 1920 in Chicago, the son of architect John A. Holabird and grandson of William Holabird, founder of the firm Holabird and Roche (later Holabird and Root). He studied architecture at Harvard University where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1942 and his master's degree in 1948. Holabird's architectural work included the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, the Ravinia Pavilion and Restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois, and the Intramural Physical Education building at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.

We will also discuss the legacy of Holabird, et al and pending alterations to Riverside Plaza. Primer below.

HOLABIRD, ET AL (SIMONDS, ROCHE, ROOT)

As a primer to the Chapter’s upcoming program on John Holabird we are providing background on his “family firm”. Even though the last partner’s name changed 3 times – the firm’s extraordinary legacy of built designs from the last 127 years is astounding including:

Graceland Cemetery Plan Chapel (1888)
Fort Sheridan, 1890
Monadnock Building (South Half), 1893
Marquette Building, 1895
Gage Group Buildings, 1899
Oliver Building, 1907 & 1920
University Club of Chicago, 1909
Cook County Courthouse/Chicago City Hall, 1910
Soldier Field, 1924
Palmer House Hotel, 1927
333 North Michigan Building, 1928
Palmolive Building, 1929
Chicago Daily News Building, 1929 (pictured above)
Chicago Board of Trade Building, 1930
Foellinger Auditorium Addition, U of I Urbana 1985

In recent years, Holabird & Root has completed the major addition to the Chicago History Museum (then – Chicago Historical Society), the headquarters for Nicor Gas as well as projects for the Federal Reserve Bank, Motorola and the American Dental Association, among many others. - KB

David Bahlman of Landmarks Illinois on the State of Preservation

2008-02-13T22:58:00.000-08:00

ROUNDTABLE AT CHARNLEY PERSKY HOUSE:

David Bahlman on “The State of Preservation”

Bahlman is Executive Director, President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois (formerly Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois). Mr. Bahlman is a veteran in historic preservation and will address recent triumphs and pending tragedies in the State.

Update: Bahlman has recently announced his retirement but has confirmed his participation in the Roundtable.

Tuesday. March 18th
Refreshments at 6:00 / Roundtable at 6:30
Gather at Charnley Persky House
Members only.

RSVP to Keith Bringe
708-358-1394 or keithbringe@comcast.net

PAST CHAPTER EVENTS

2008-01-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

APRIL 2008
John Holabird film and talk at AIA Chicago

The group enjoyed a reception and fellowship in AIA's beautiful new offices at 35 East Wacker.

Bill Locke with John Holabird.

Left to Right: Furniture maker Lloyd Natof, Whitecap Films' Mark Richard Smith who is producing a feature length documentary on Louis Sullivan, AIA Vice President Zurich Esposito and Chicago Art Deco Society President Joe Loundy.

The view from AIA Chicago's office.

MARCH 2008

Charnley House Roundtable: David Bahlman of Landmarks Illinois

David's talk drew a full house and included an overview of his remarkable career - from serving as Director of SAH National (in Philly) to San Francisco Library murals to LPCI's stellar accomplishments at Farnsworth House and more plus where he's going - to an impeccably restored 18th century house in Conneticut. The Chicago Chapter honored Bahlman with a resolution and a plaque. A little praise for Ceasar - and all with the bust of Seymour looking on... We really will miss you, DB.

February 2008

Jordan Mozer: Studio and Associates

XXX = Fun!!!

June, 2007

A tour of Geneva Lake included a champagne reception at the Driehaus Estate

July, 2007

An "insider's tour" of the Fine Arts Building

including a reception in the hidden "Venetian Court"

August, 2007
Members toured the University of Illinois at Chicago in a dual-subject event; Walter Netsch design and the World's Columbian Exposition Collection at Henry Hall.

Dialogues on Design at Lloyd Natof's Studio

January 16th, 2008

Dialogues On Design: Visit Jordan Mozer's Studio

2008-01-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

PLEASE NOTE: EVENT START TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 5:30 PM

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Jordan Mozer and Associates, Ltd. provides architectural and product design services for hospitality, retail and entertainment, such as Disney, Universal Studios, Barney's, Asprey and Garrard of London, George Lucas, The House of Blues, The Rolling Stones, & Cheesecake Factory.
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Tues. February 26th. Gather at 320 W. Ohio, 7th Floor
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Refreshments - 5:30 – Presentation at 6:00.
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Free for Members / $10 for Non-Members
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RSVP TO Judy Freeman at 773-929-0329 or jrfree3500@aol.com by Feb. 20th.
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View more images of Mozer's projects below.

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