May, 11, 2011,
11:00 AM

Saarinen Miller House now open

Designed by Eero Saarinen 1953, Miller House “expands upon an architectural tradition developed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—epitomizing the international Modernist aesthetic—with an open and flowing layout, flat roof and stone and glass walls.” With interiors by Alexander Girard and gardens by Dan Kiley, the house is a showcase of 20th century design.

Now run by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the newly-restored house opened to the public on May 10th. Design Arts Society, Indiana Landmarks, and Indiana ASLA will host a Miller House symposium and tour on Friday, May 20. Learn more.

Why Columbus? Diesel engine manufacturer, Irwin Miller, led an effort to modernize his hometown after WWII. The result is more than 70 buildings and public art works by modernist powerhouses including Saarinen, I. M. Pei, Cesar Pelli, Robert Venturi, Richard Meier, John Carl Warnecke and Harry Weese.

We first read about this on WorldArchitectureNews.com. Photograph by Ezra Stoller.

› Read more
May, 11, 2011,
9:00 AM

Harry Weese, Reconsidered

On Saturday, May 14th, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is presenting a symposium and tour covering the work of Chicagoan Harry Weese, a leading modernist architect and ardent preservationist.

Not only was Weese the creator of architectural masterworks, but he also played a key role in historic preservation, civic planning, and urban renewal. Former employees and clients, family members, historians, and critics will gather to share personal anecdotes and put Weese’s legacy in historical context.

And on Sunday, May 15th, CAF will host a tour of Weese’s work and his preservation efforts in Chicago, from Hyde Park to Old Town. The tour will be conducted by Robert Bruegmann, author of The Architecture of Harry Weese, and professor of Art History, Architecture, and Urban Planning at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Tickets are required.

Photo source: Ben Schumin.

› Read more
May, 6, 2011,
8:00 AM

A Brief History of the Barcelona Chair—From Mies van der Rohe’s 125th birthday celebration at S.R. Crown Hall. On hand was Michael Jefferson of Wright auction house to present a history of the Barcelona chair and some perspective on Mies’ furniture at auction.

› Read more