House of Tomorrow

Designed as the house of the future, this house included its own airplane hanger. Glass walls offered views from every angle and so taxed the experimental air conditioning system that cooling system failed. [Cultural Sites of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore; National Park Service, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore; Porter, Indiana]

1933 Century of Progress Exposition

The House of Tomorrow is one of five structures from the 1933-34 Century of Progress exposition in Chicago, Illinois. It was designed by George F. Keck and reflects European modernism. The design conveyed the ideals of the fair and its emphasis on science and technology. [House of Tomorrow, Beverly Shores-Century of Progress Architectural District; HABS No. IN-243-A; Historic American Building Survey, Department of the Interior; 1994, pg 2]

Bartlett Development

After the close of the Century of Progress, the structure was sold to Robert Bartlett for $2,500. Bartlett was developing a residential subdivision in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The house was placed on a barge and moved across Lake Michigan to Indiana. In April 1938, Bartlett sold the house to become a private residence. [ibid, HABS No. IN-243-A, pg 3]

Design

The building was octagonal in design using aluminum fascia with vermiculite interior walls. Plate glass walls are the most notable feature of the building. A airplane hanger was included, set four feet lower than the ground floor. [ibid, HABS No. IN-243-A, pg 4] When the house was moved to Beverly Shores, the ground floor was modified to make use of the garage and airplane hanger for living space. A carport was added. Windows were modified so that the occupants could open and close them to control the internal environment. [ibid, HABS No. IN-243-A, pg 5] The interior is designed around a central staircase in the duodecagnol structure. Most rooms are wedge shaped.

References

ee also

* Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
* List of Registered Historic Places in Indiana

External Link

* [http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/225.html] Encyclopedia of Chicago history

* [http://www.nps.gov/archive/indu/History/Century_of_Progress_homes.htm] Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Century of Progress Historic District