18303 Lincoln Road, Harvard, IL 60033

Welcome to Casina, a remarkable example of intellectual architecture designed by the late architects Alfred Swenson and Pao-Chi Chang. Constructed with concrete, metal, and glass, Casina is built to endure well beyond our lifetimes. Alfred and Pao-Chi studied under Mies van der Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Mies' influence on modern architecture is evident in this masterpiece. The home is named Casina, derived from the Latin word for "small cabin," and took several years to complete. Set on 10 serene, rolling acres, the house is intentionally positioned to maintain a sense of detachment from its surroundings, allowing the landscape to be admired from a distance. The architects drew inspiration from a Yuan Dynasty scroll depicting two scholars contemplating the vast landscape from an open-fronted pavilion. Spanning 1,500 square feet, the home is bright, open, and breathtaking the moment you step inside. It features dramatic vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling … read more …