Reviews
" Modern in the Middle significantly expands our understanding of modern architecture in the Chicago area by bringing to light a number of lesser-known yet talented architects. The houses and interiors designed by IIT graduates like myself demonstrate that the Miesian legacy was more complex than it might appear at first sight." --John Vinci, FAIA " Modern in the Middle looks beyond Chicago's iconic skyscrapers to show us that this city's residential buildings have also been paradigmatic in shaping modern architecture. The book's scope goes beyond just "midcentury" making the "Middle" a signifier that explores Chicago's central place in the nation's geography and the essential role of the American middle class in defining the idea of "modern housing." Every piece of this carefully assembled volume is insightful and still resonant in our lives today." --Gwendolyn Wright, Columbia GSAPP "This rich and fascinating compendium places the modern houses in and around Chicago in historical and philosophical context. In addition to the descriptions not only of the houses and architects but also the crucial role of the clients, the accompanying original photographs and plans are important parts of the thorough documentation. There is much to be discovered here!" --Cynthia Weese, FAIA "How did we let ourselves forget so much remarkable architecture? Modern in the Middle reminds us that modern architecture has been more diverse and inventive than we seem to remember even in a fabled region such as Chicago and environs. This book is a long overdue corrective for our forgetfulness. May this book enrich our understanding of yesterday's architecture and inform the architecture to come." --Alan Hess, architect and historian "This book transforms the way we view modern residential architecture in Chicago and goes far beyond the iconic Robie and Farnsworth houses, allowing us to discover a largely unknown body of work presented through a powerful collection of photographs." --Tom Avermaete, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, "Fans of mid-20th century modernism, especially as it took shape in the Midwest, will likely want to check out "Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-1975" . . . the book explores how Chicago and its suburbs played a pivotal but overlooked role in developing the modern single-family house." --Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune "Of course, several Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe houses are featured . . . However, the book comes alive with less familiar gems. . . . In each case, the authors briefly delve into the history of the house, the architect, the client, and even the house''s current condition, making you want more." --Architectural Record "[M]ost comprehensive . . . thorough and well-researched." --ARCHITECT "This book is an impressive effort at bringing more attention to these designs of smaller scale but equal skill. . . . [T]his is a study that is overdue." --Interior Design "[A] handsome coffee-table book of masterpieces by architects." --Chicago Magazine "It''s an impressive scholarly work, but also, clearly, a labor of love." --Chicago Reader "Featuring over fifty private residences designed by renowned and lesser-known architects, lush photographs, and definitive essays by its co-authors Susan Benjamin and Michelangelo Sabatino, Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-1975 is the book you want to get lost in. . . " --Classic Chicago "A new book that tells the stories behind a few dozen samples of the rich stock of 20th century modernist homes in Chicago and the suburbs." --Crain''s Chicago Business "Photos are in abundance . . . . The essays are excellent in providing context and making an argument for the appreciation and preservation of many houses in the book." --A Daily Dose of Architecture "A first of its kind for the Chicago area." --Dennis Rodkin " Modern in the Middle significantly expands our understanding of modern architecture in the Chicago area by bringing to light a number of lesser-known yet talented architects. The houses and interiors designed by IIT graduates like myself demonstrate that the Miesian legacy was more complex than it might appear at first sight." --John Vinci, FAIA " Modern in the Middle looks beyond Chicago''s iconic skyscrapers to show us that this city''s residential buildings have also been paradigmatic in shaping modern architecture. The book''s scope goes beyond just "midcentury" making the "Middle" a signifier that explores Chicago''s central place in the nation''s geography and the essential role of the American middle class in defining the idea of "modern housing." Every piece of this carefully assembled volume is insightful and still resonant in our lives today." --Gwendolyn Wright, Columbia GSAPP "This rich and fascinating compendium places the modern houses in and around Chicago in historical and philosophical context. In addition to the descriptions not only of the houses and architects but also the crucial role of the clients, the accompanying original photographs and plans are important parts of the thorough documentation. There is much to be discovered here!" --Cynthia Weese, FAIA "How did we let ourselves forget so much remarkable architecture? Modern in the Middle reminds us that modern architecture has been more diverse and inventive than we seem to remember even in a fabled region such as Chicago and environs. This book is a long overdue corrective for our forgetfulness. May this book enrich our understanding of yesterday''s architecture and inform the architecture to come." --Alan Hess, architect and historian "This book transforms the way we view modern residential architecture in Chicago and goes far beyond the iconic Robie and Farnsworth houses, allowing us to discover a largely unknown body of work presented through a powerful collection of photographs." --Tom Avermaete, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich "There''s nothing better than sitting down with a luxe coffee-table sized book and indulging in some eye-candy." --Advice Sisters, "Fans of mid-20th century modernism, especially as it took shape in the Midwest, will likely want to check out "Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-1975" . . . the book explores how Chicago and its suburbs played a pivotal but overlooked role in developing the modern single-family house." --Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune "Of course, several Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe houses are featured . . . However, the book comes alive with less familiar gems. . . . In each case, the authors briefly delve into the history of the house, the architect, the client, and even the house's current condition, making you want more." --Architectural Record "This book is an impressive effort at bringing more attention to these designs of smaller scale but equal skill. . . . [T]his is a study that is overdue." -- Interior Design "A new book that tells the stories behind a few dozen samples of the rich stock of 20th century modernist homes in Chicago and the suburbs." --Crain's Chicago Business "A first of its kind for the Chicago area." --Dennis Rodkin " Modern in the Middle significantly expands our understanding of modern architecture in the Chicago area by bringing to light a number of lesser-known yet talented architects. The houses and interiors designed by IIT graduates like myself demonstrate that the Miesian legacy was more complex than it might appear at first sight." --John Vinci, FAIA " Modern in the Middle looks beyond Chicago's iconic skyscrapers to show us that this city's residential buildings have also been paradigmatic in shaping modern architecture. The book's scope goes beyond just "midcentury" making the "Middle" a signifier that explores Chicago's central place in the nation's geography and the essential role of the American middle class in defining the idea of "modern housing." Every piece of this carefully assembled volume is insightful and still resonant in our lives today." --Gwendolyn Wright, Columbia GSAPP "This rich and fascinating compendium places the modern houses in and around Chicago in historical and philosophical context. In addition to the descriptions not only of the houses and architects but also the crucial role of the clients, the accompanying original photographs and plans are important parts of the thorough documentation. There is much to be discovered here!" --Cynthia Weese, FAIA "How did we let ourselves forget so much remarkable architecture? Modern in the Middle reminds us that modern architecture has been more diverse and inventive than we seem to remember even in a fabled region such as Chicago and environs. This book is a long overdue corrective for our forgetfulness. May this book enrich our understanding of yesterday's architecture and inform the architecture to come." --Alan Hess, architect and historian "This book transforms the way we view modern residential architecture in Chicago and goes far beyond the iconic Robie and Farnsworth houses, allowing us to discover a largely unknown body of work presented through a powerful collection of photographs." --Tom Avermaete, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich
