John Morris
October 10, 2013
The Roloson row houses on Calumet Avenue on the South Side are a set of four attached units with dramatic front gables. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1894, they represent a transition period in his career. These houses were one of Wright’s earliest commissions–only one year after leaving Louis Sullivan’s firm.
If you look past the gables and window patterns, you might think these houses are similar to others in the neighborhood. However, a closer inspection reveals a subtle understanding of fractal geometry and visually appealing proportion.
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Andi Marie
September 26, 2013
The West Side once was so grand and prosperous, from the greystones and storefront structures that are mostly empty shells to the magnificent churches. It is not hard to imagine how they once were, from the ornate detailing to the Corinthian pillars.
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John Morris
September 20, 2013
About two months ago, the Belmont ‘L’ station in Avondale was in the press as a secondary part of CTA’s retirement of the 2200 series railcars. This transit station in the International Style, along with sister stop Logan Square, was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill along with the then-new stainless steel cars in the late 1960s.
Although often overlooked as an architectural treasure, Belmont is a beautiful example of functional minimalism.
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John Morris
September 13, 2013
Although clearly appearing abandoned (see update), this house in Bridgeport is not on a real prairie. To its left is the Stevenson Expressway, to the right is Palmisano Park. The park features rolling hills and grassland, and only opened a few years ago. The land was at one time used as a quarry, and later a landfill.
The effects of a highway are clearly visible in the nearby parcels. Surrounding vacant lots and overgrown sidewalks indicate a past long forgotten.
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