Schweikher House

Constructed by and for architect Paul Schweikher in the late 1930s, the low-slung, one-story facade serves a stark contrast to the steel-and-asphalt sprawl that surrounds. In a not-too-distant past, however, the humble home and drafting studio added angular dimension to the town’s precedently rural farmland and an anchored extension to its wide, open skyline. Solid yet intricate, inventive yet familiar, this modest assemblage of timber, glass, and brick introduced the concepts of mid-century modern design to the Midwest before such a term existed. But—perhaps, more importantly—it introduced the voice of a prescient artist who would redefine the landscape of residential architecture within the United States.

Furthering this blend of componentry, Schweikher incorporated dynamic arrangements of glass and masonry throughout the home to create a meeting point between the indoor and outdoor space. By integrating recurring stretches of vertical windows, glazed doors, and textural common brick in most rooms and outland areas, the designer was able to frame the surrounding acreage like artwork and wash the open floor plan in the light of the Midwestern sun. Similarly, by choosing to alternate ceiling heights, utilize slight turns in brick- and woodwork, and include floating shelving and benches, he was able to differentiate each space using a series of visual cues rather than structural divides. Such avant-garde decisions lent a subtle complexity to Schweikher’s design and a palpable richness to the home.

After years of guest-lecturing, Schweikher was offered the position of Chairman of the Yale School of Architecture in 1953. Due to the distance between Schaumburg and New Haven, the family chose to relocate to Connecticut and leave Schweikher House in the hands of Martyl and Alexander Langsdorf, a couple they had previously met through the Chicago arts community. From Schweikher’s tenure at the ivy league institution, he followed consecutive academic opportunities and later retired in Sedona, Arizona