Merit in Architecture Winner

Charles F. Glore House

Built in 1951, the Charles F. Glore House is notable for Frank Lloyd Wright’s application of Usonian principles on a larger, more elaborate two-story residence.  This historic modern house by America’s great architect with an in-line plan, two-story living room, broad roof eaves, natural materials, and modern architecture offers a sharp contrast to the Neo-Classical style estates adjacent to the Lake Forest site.

After not selling in the real-estate market in three years, the Glore house was in danger of being demolished and the two-acre parcel being subdivided by developers.  The property is a spectacular parcel one block off of Lake Michigan, wrapped on two sides by wooded ravines, and located in one of the most affluent areas in the United States.  The Owners, Frank Lloyd Wright Enthusiasts, added the following elements to the program: all work had to be done in a manner consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation, the design and detailing had to receive the endorsement of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, and the work had to be done within a limited budget.

A family room addition providing needed informal living space was inserted into a cramped, functionally obsolete, covered terrace.  The new addition steps back from the face of the balcony and roof above.  This was consistent with the architectural vocabulary of the house at the adjacent dining room.  Details such as the T-shaped columns, mahogany paneling, and spindle screens maintain continuity between old and new.  Nestled under the second floor balcony the family room extends the original plan module making a natural transition from informal interior living space to the outside terrace and ravine beyond.  The outside terrace, built in 1987, was lowered to the new floor elevation of the family room to blend exterior and interior space.  The plan of the terrace realizes the original Frank Lloyd Wright terrace design which was never built.

The sensitive balance of Wright’s design intent and contemporary market demands resulted in the property being sold shortly after construction was complete.  This Frank Lloyd Wright House will be preserved for future generations by the new Owners, an architect and her husband.

2008 AIA NEI Sponsors

Platinum
AMSCO Engineering
M.G. Welbel & Assoc.

Gold
Berg Engineering Consultants, Ltd.

Silver
20/10 Engineering Group, LLC
AVI Midwest
Degler Design, Inc.
Design Perspectives
Drucker Zajdel Structural Engineers
ECS Illinois, LLC
Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd.
Euclid Insurance
Illinois Brick Company
R. I. Johnson & Associates
Northfield Block Co.
W.B. Olson, Inc
Ragnar Benson Construction, LLC
The George Sollitt Construction Co.
W-T Engineering

Contributor
Aerotek Architecture & Engineering
Aucutts - A Robinson Brick Co.
Building Stone Products
City Five Development
Clay Products
McCluskey Engineering Corp.
Metro Design Associates, Inc.
RAMM Brick & Supply

We extend a special “Thank you!” to our new and returning 2008 sponsors. Sponsors enable AIA Northeast Illinois to provide many of the programs and events that are held during the year. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please call the chapter office at 630/527-8550.