NEWS
Mid-Century Modern Dream House Tour December 2+3
Special event is a fundraiser for restoration of Keck-designed House of Tomorrow.
Contact: Brian Berg 312.282.8260
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HIGHLAND PARK, IL (Oct. 30, 2017) — What if you took a futuristic home built in 1962 and filled it with rare vintage furniture of the era, to create a Mid-Century Modern Dream House?
Preservation group Chicago Bauhaus and Beyond and Wright Auctions are collaborating on the first ever Mid-Century Modern Dream house in the Chicago area. The event will be a fundraiser for the restoration of another famous Keck home, the 1933 House of Tomorrow. Indiana Landmarks is planning to restore the World’s Fair house, which has been designated a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Experts from Wright auction house will create a stunning mid-century interior design using a selection of rare furniture and art objects to be sold at auction on December 14. The combination of vintage collectible furniture in the unique home will create an interior that mixes elegance with a bit of “Jetsons’ futurism.” Visitors will be inspired to learn more about “Mad Men”-era design during short talks from experts throughout the day.
The two-day event will be held at a 1962 Keck and Keck home in Highland Park, IL, famed for its oval design, built around an indoor swimming pool with retractable roof. The home features a 70-foot-long open living room/dining room/family room that looks onto the pool. A sunken bar area, terrazzo floors, and built-in cabinets add touches of mid-century elegance.
Megan O’Sullivan, of Chicago Home Curator, tells more about the house: “Built in 1962 by brothers George Fred Keck and William Keck, icons of Modernism, the 5 bedroom, 5 bath, 5,000+ square foot ranch sits on a private, wooded 1.72 acre lot. One of their last custom projects, Keck and Keck designed this home as a fully enclosed brick walled oval, with a swimming pool in the center that could be reached through every room in the house, for year-round use.”
“The home utilizes passive solar heating with radiant heated floors and fixed Thermopane windows with metal louvered vents for fresh air—hallmarks of Keck designs. Surrounded by nature and thoughtfully designed, all the principles of Modernism are incorporated in the design” said Joan Gand, tour organizer from Chicago Bauhaus and Beyond, who also lives in a Keck home.
Chicago Bauhaus & Beyond is a non-profit organization which celebrates and promotes 20th century modern architecture and design.
Wright is the premier auction house specializing in modern and contemporary design. Since its founding in 2000, Wright has handled more than 40,000 lots across the spectrum of 20th and 21st century design.
Indiana Landmarks revitalizes communities, reconnects people to heritage, and saves meaningful places. With nine offices located throughout the state, including one in Gary, Indiana Landmarks helps people rescue endangered landmarks and restore historic neighborhoods and downtowns. For information on membership in the nonprofit organization, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.
When: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 + 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: 2077 Partridge Lane, Highland Park, Illinois
$10 suggested donation at the door
www.chicagobauhausbeyond.org
www.wright20.com
http://www.chicagohomecurator.com
https://www.indianalandmarks.org/about/special-projects/house-of-tomorrow/
Stay up to date on the latest news, stories, and events from Indiana Landmarks, around the state or in your area.