Benda House

The Benda House, located in Riverside, Illinois, lies about 12 miles (19 km) west-southwest of the Chicago Loop. The house stands within the Riverside Historic District, which is bordered by 1st Avenue to the west, 26th Street to the north, Harlem Avenue to the east, Ogden Avenue to the south, and the Des Plaines River. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1969, and was named a National Historic Landmark on August 29, 1970.^[2]

Designed by Winston Elting, the Benda House stands as a Modern Movement/International Style two-story, single-family residence. Characterized by asymmetrical architecture, it is a brick building with a flat roof. The façades are adorned with a mix of large picture windows and medium-sized corner windows framed in aluminum-clad wood casements. The house's structure involves three-wythe brick perimeter walls supported by a concrete foundation, and the interior partition walls combine wood framing with floor and roof wood joists. Steel elements, including header beams and Lally columns, contribute to the architectural framework. The exterior features brickwork using a hybrid brick type, laid out in common-Flemish bond with raked (originally concave) mortar joints. The house exhibits overhangs, with fir tongue-and-groove soffits and charcoal grey painted fir fascia boards.^[2]

The interior plan features interconnected larger entertaining spaces and smaller service spaces for the kitchen and bathrooms. The first floor encompasses the entry foyer, staircase, living and dining rooms, kitchen, maid's room, bathroom, and porch. The second floor hosts three bedrooms, a bathroom, hallway closets, and an exterior sun deck. The basement contains a main room, storage area, and boiler/laundry room.^[2]

Original architectural elements, such as door hardware, aluminum staircase handrail, fireplace and hearth, built-in cabinetry, and more, are well-preserved. The original wood windows were changed to steel during construction in 1939, then replaced with aluminum-clad wood casement windows in the 1990s, aligning with the architect's design intent. Exterior and interior restoration efforts have been made, ensuring the preservation of materials and details. The landscaping also has been restored, maintaining the house's connection to the original vision for the village.^[2]

Recognized for its preservation, the Benda House received the 2022 Preservation Award from the Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside. The current owners are publishing a book that documents the house's history and restoration process, underscoring its significance as a unique example of 1930s modern architecture.^[3]

The Benda House is noted for synthesizing European-inspired modernism and American organicism, reflecting the architectural ethos of its time. Designed in 1938, the house reflects the evolution of domestic architecture during the early 20th century in the United States. The house's design blends Modern Movement principles with Prairie School elements. With its use of materials and siting, the Benda House exemplifies a modern approach to design for its era. The integration of "Autumtints" brick, a cost-effective alternative to traditional face brick, and the incorporation of glass block elements for both light and privacy mark the house's architectural innovation. These features reflect the prevailing trends of dematerialization and a harmonious relationship with nature that characterized modern architecture during the era.^[2] The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 2023.^[1]