The Barrington House was designed and built by Don Erickson with help from his son. Erickson trained with Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin which did a great deal to inform Erickson and his modernist designs.

A video from 2010:

 

 

A video from 2009:

 

 

The unfortunate nature of this house is that after Mr. Erickson passed away, his widow sold the house to a Mr. Grodman who, after making significant changes to the house, failed to meet obligations that eventually led to foreclosure. According to this article in Crain’s Chicago Business, an agent who has been in the house says it has been “gutted”.

Indeed, I have read elsewhere that items such as cabinetry and fixtures have been placed at auction.

The agent, Lou Zucaro, wrote an article for Modern Illinois before the foreclosure on the house and its present demise at this address. Quite a few pictures of the residence may be found there.

Here is a special article in the Chicago Tribune after the death of Mr. Erickson.

Here is more on Don Erickson at Chicago Bauhaus and Beyond.

As an example of Don Erickson’s work so reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright examine his J. Mayes Residence of 1954. (Also known as the Round House.)

 

 

 

As with Frank Lloyd Wright, Mr. Erickson used builtins extensively and designed most of the furniture is his homes.

 

 

Don Erickson was a bit more in the International vein than Frank Lloyd Wright in many of his buildings but he is still referred to as an organic architect. He many times used natural materials such as stone and wood panels.

 

 

HBosler