The interior appears to be one large room fi lled with freestanding
elements. The space is sub-divided but not partitioned, and fl ows
around two wood blocks that Mies called “cores,” one a wardrobe
cabinet and the other a kitchen, toilet, and fi replace block. The larger
fi replace-kitchen core appears almost as a separate house nestling
within the larger glass house. The materials used are quietly
luxurious – travertine fl oors, primavera paneling and silk curtains – and
the detailing minimal and meticulous.
On its completion, Farnsworth House
™
received accolades in the
architectural press, which resulted in many uninvited visitors trespassing
on the property to glimpse the latest Mies work of art. Unfortunately
Mies and Edith Farnsworth had a falling out over the costs, which
had almost doubled the fi nal costs, and the bitter dispute was only
resolved after a long and very public court case.
Though she continued to use her weekend retreat for almost 20
years, Edith Farnsworth often felt intimidated by the openness of the
building. Other complaints included the costs of heating the house
and constantly rusting pillars.
For some critics, Farnsworth House
™
represents the disconnect between
Modernist architecture and the reality of its users’ lives. Nevertheless, the
timeless quality of this house is still regarded with reverent fascination by
new generations of architects and designers around the world.
8
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