An Exclusive Look Into Architect Edward Humrich's 1st House In Riverwoods

RIVERWOODS, IL — Riverwoods, the small community enveloped by forest and backing the Des Plaines River, is a hotbed for midcentury modern architecture, most of it painstakingly preserved by loving homeowners.

It's not every day you're given the opportunity to step inside these time portals, even less so ones that remain as hunkered in their era and feature oral history from architects or homeowners.

Patch joined the annual Edith Farnsworth House-hosted Modernist Homes Tour on June 21 to tour five midcentury modern houses — four by architect Edward Humrich, who is known for his plethora of houses in the neighborhood, and one by Keck and Keck, a Chicago-based firm established by brothers George Fred and William.

Among the residences featured on the tour was the Haskell Wexler House, Humrich's first in Riverwoods. Built in 1947, at a time when Riverwoods was still unincorporated, the house at 480 Juneberry Road is named after the eponymous Academy Award-winning cinematographer, film producer and director perhaps best known for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

Although Humrich claimed, at the time, he didn't take inspiration from other architects, tour docents explained that the house's design takes notes from famed prairie-style architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

"It was an exciting opportunity for Humrich to continue to bring his unique 'organic modern' style to the new suburb," the Farnsworth House said of the property. "Designing houses for primarily young families, Humrich often worked within a tight budget. To make even a modest home feel special, he carefully sited his homes to take advantage of the natural setting."

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house, covering just over 2,100 square feet, last sold in 2013 for $510,000, according to Redfin. The property encompasses just under 2 acres of land — a common lot size in Riverwoods.

Take a photographic tour of the midcentury modern home: