West Chicago CAPE Summer Program Field Trip to the Edith Farnsworth “Glass House”

What does modern architecture, nature and West Chicago students all have in common? The Edith Farnsworth House!

This historic floor to ceiling glass house was Dr. Edith Farnsworth’s weekend home. Dr. Farnsworth was a patron of the arts and sciences.  She was a skilled violinist who studied in Italy, and a doctor who earned her medical degree at Northwestern Medical School during a time where only four women were accepted into each class. The Edith Farnsworth House, or Glass House, was designed by famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.  His modern architecture is internationally known including the famed buildings such as the Barcelona Pavilion and the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Crown Hall.

Besides its historical and architectural significance, the Glass House was selected as a field trip destination due to its new connection with West Chicago. Javier Chavira, one of the current featured artists at the house, held workshops in West Chicago through a partnership with the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage. During the workshops, Chavira taught students how to make their own version of his circular abstract art pieces.

Then at the Farnsworth House, the students saw Chavira’s artwork in the gallery and the Glass House.  Chavira’s exhibit Within Nature- Dentro la Naturaleza will be on display at the Glass House up until September 15, 2024. 

In addition to seeing Chavira’s art, students witnessed how art and nature can balance each other. The Glass House is located in Plano, IL next to the Fox River and surrounded by lush forests. To reach the house, the students walked through a winding dirt path within a canopy of trees. Some students commented that they had never been on a nature walk before and they found the walk very peaceful. 

Before entering the house, everyone took off their shoes and donned a pair of shoe booties. This requirement was bewildering to the students because they had never visited a house where they could not walk, touch, or sit on anything. When asked if they would like to live in a glass house, some students said yes because they could see the river and trees all day and a beautiful sunrise and sunset. Others said no because the house had no privacy and might be easily robbed or damaged in a tornado. Despite the opposing opinions, all the students recognized that the house had an impressive ambiance and beautiful furniture.

The site where the Glass House is located features a mirrored installation by Avid Wallace Haskins called Landscape + Light, which will be on display through 2024. From a distance, the cubes are invisible with only a blue circle hinting at its existence. The optical illusion was a highlight for the students who circled the piece multiple times to understand its structure. 

Thank you again to the Edith Farnsworth “Glass House” for welcoming District 33. We look forward to more opportunities in the future!