Edith Farnsworth House - Plano, Illinois

Rhonda B.

A very interesting 90 minutes on the house built for Edith Farnsworth.
It's $30 for the tour, which is a little on the spendy side, but after the tour you can wander the grounds enjoying the quiet.
It's a 1/2 mile walk from the parking lot to the beginning of the tour, but they will take you in a golf cart if you have mobility issues. Check to see what times the tours are taking place each day.
By the end of the tour for the house, I'm now more interested in learning more about Edith.

Melissa F.

Farnsworth in fall was magnificent. We had a very informative tour and great opportunities to shoot the house, inside and out. Having seen many photos of the house, I was excited, but seeing it in person and being in it exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended.

DWH

The original mid-century glass house and masterpiece of world-renowned Chicago-based German Architect Mies van der Rohe. The home seems to float in the air along the Fox River surrounded by a beautiful 60 acres of trees and prairie filled with unfolding surprises all year round. The drive out from Chicago or the suburbs is easy and relaxing.

The house was built by the pioneering Chicago physician Edith Farnsworth, who commissioned Mies to design her a weekend retreat in 1945. The house was completed in 1951 and has since become a celebrated international architectural destination and museum.

A lovely piece of architectural history with curated art and sculpture on the grounds and in a separate gallery next to the visitor center, as well as periodically in the house itself. The museum also provides informative tours of the house with yearly programming and activities for families. Don’t miss the well appointed gift store with many excellent mid-century modern collectibles and coffee table books.

Definitely a must see for all art and architecture lovers.

Hans M.

Farnsworth House: A Timeless Marvel of Architectural Beauty

Nestled along the serene banks of the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, the Farnsworth House stands as a testament to the genius of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Completed in 1951, this modernist masterpiece embodies the principles of minimalism and the seamless integration of nature and architecture.

The Farnsworth House is celebrated for its elegant simplicity and transparency. Its glass walls dissolve the boundaries between interior and exterior, inviting the surrounding landscape into the living space. The structure’s elevated design creates a sense of lightness, as it appears to float above the ground, harmonizing with the rhythm of the natural world.

Mies van der Rohe’s philosophy of "less is more" resonates profoundly within the house’s design. Every element, from the open floor plan to the meticulous detailing, reflects a deep respect for materials and form. The use of steel and glass not only showcases modern construction techniques but also highlights the beauty of the natural light that dances through the space.

Visiting the Farnsworth House is an experience that transcends time. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of architectural beauty, inspiring countless architects and admirers alike. The fusion of simplicity and sophistication in this iconic work ensures its place in the pantheon of architectural greatness, a serene sanctuary that continues to captivate the imagination.

Hans Maréchal | M+R interior architecture

Alex J.

This is an enormously underrated thing to do in Chicago. I highly recommend a visit for anyone interested in architecture. Learned a lot about the architecture of the building and the history of the building and the people who lived in it. Also they have some large art outdoors on the property and a small indoor art exhibit.

Adrien B.

Worth a visit if you are interested in Architecture. We did a private tour which was very well put together. There is a decent amount of walking on the your as the visitor center is far from the actual house. The walking is through woods along the Fox River (yes there are bugs). The house itself is a masterpiece and worth experiencing in person even if you are already familiar with it from books and other media. It's too bad that inside the house they couldn't find a way to hide the many cameras that sit on top of the central core. I understand they want to keep an eye on the visitors but they could be Integrated better so they don't become an eyesore.

Ahmed

Incredibly beautiful and sublime-

Studied this building many years ago and so to see it in person felt very surreal. This really is the pinnacle of Mies-ian architecture.

The guided tour starts off with a short video at the visitor’s centre, followed by a half mile walk down a trail, until the house gradually appears in between the trees.

There’s both an outdoor tour and an indoor tour component, so you get to truly experience the house. The docent did also leave us with plenty of time to explore on our own afterwards and to take those sweet sweet photos.

From the I-beam detail, to the building’s elevated profile, to the strategic use of white, this building serves as a timeless case study. Seeing it right there in front of you was just genuinely amazing.

Kelton H.

Had the opportunity to visit the Farnsworth House as part of one of Andrew Pielage's photography workshops. This is one of the must see sights of modern architecture. The site and docents are terrific. The house changes with the seasons and weather so plan your trip accordingly.