Modern, Again: The Benda House & Garden in Chicagoland

(Hardback)

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Modern, Again: The Benda House & Garden in Chicagoland is equal parts a history of modern residential architecture in America and a rewarding journey of preservation and stewardship.

Ambrose and Sabatinoco-authors of this book and co-owners of the Winston Elting designed Benda housesummarize their in-depth archival research and hands-on work undertaken for the restoration of their 1939 International Style house in Riverside, a historic village designed by Olmsted & Vaux in Chicagos western suburbs. The Benda House was commissioned during a time when excitement for modern architecture, art, and design was very much alive amongst the public in America, partly due to the enthusiasm created by Chicagos Century of Progress International Exposition held between 1933 and 1934 and culminated with the New York Worlds Fair of 1939.

This book features archival materials ranging from architectural drawings to historic building product catalogues alongside contemporary photographs taken before and after the restoration process. Finally, the co-authors discuss their addition of a new landscaped garden that re-establishes the relationship between nature and this modern house while extending Olmsteds vision of idealized suburban living in America.

Author Bio

Serge Ambrose is an architect and engineer focused on residential design and preservation of 20th-century architecture. Ambrose served as a commissioner of the Riverside Historical Commission. From 20162020 he served as Chairman of Docomomo US/Chicago and is currently a board member. Michelangelo Sabatino is a publicly engaged historian, curator, educator, and preservationist whose research focuses on modern architecture and the built environment. He is Professor of Architectural History and Historic Preservation in IITs College of Architecture where he directs the PhD program and is the inaugural John Vinci Distinguished Research Fellow. Sabatino serves on the Board of Directors of Docomomo US.