Farnsworth House

Designed and constructed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe between 1945 and 1951, the Farnsworth House was commissioned by Edith Farnsworth, M.D, a prominent Chicago nephrologist. The Farnsworth’s pristine property along the Fox River was intended to be a weekend cottage where she could escape from city life. In 1947, a model of the house was displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, two years before construction even began on the Farnsworth House.

What Mies van der Rohe actually designed was an architectural masterpiece and an icon of the international style. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

The signature sugar maple tree featured in the model, which has since died, is said to have inspired van der Rohe in selecting the precise site for the home. In this model, the light Aspen wood of the house contrasts beautifully with the stunning tree sculpture made from American Cherry. The attention to detail continues inside the house model, visible through clear acrylic windows. The fireplace in the center of the home is highly detailed, and doors and cabinets, also in cherry, are nicely modeled.

Each kit comes complete with all required parts. All you’ll need to provide is a good quality glue, a knife to remove individual parts from their sheets, and a flat work surface to construct the model. Select the Model Kit + Acrylic Display Case for a stunning display that protects your model, or choose the Finished Model + Acrylic Display Case if you'd rather not build it yourself.

To assemble this scale model, you will need a flat work surface that is at least 18" by 18"; white glue, brands like Elmers or Titebond Premium work well; and a knife to separate wood parts from the sheets.