David Adler, Architect The Elements of Style

David Adler (1882-1949) was one of the most important architects designing homes and estates in the United States during a period known as that of the "great American house." Adler's works-which range in date from 1911 to 1949-were truly American, offering an enormous range of stylistic expression on the exteriors and a simpler definition of interiors than traditional European models allowed.

This important book features seventeen homes and one private club designed by Adler, all of which are beautifully reproduced in full-color with newly commissioned photographs by the firm of Hedrich Blessing. Highlights of this volume include the Stuart-style country house in the manner of Sir Christopher Wren, built for Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Crane in Ipswich, Massachusetts; the Celia Tobin Clark residence, in Hillsborough, California, in which Adler used English half-timber construction; and the William McCormick Blair House, built in Lake Bluff, Illinois, a Colonial New England farm house that constituted a new experiment for Adler.

The book also presents examples of Adler's interior designs, which respond to the demands of modern life by featuring both the use of new materials and historical elements or furniture acquired during his European travels.

Other Adler homes featured in this book include:

Mrs. C. Morse Ely House (1915), Lake Bluff, Illinois;

Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Crane House (1925-28), Ipswich, Massachusetts;

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Field House (1925-27), Sarasota, Florida;

Mrs. Celia Tobin Clark House (1929-31), Hillsborough, California;

Mrs. Kersey Coates Reed House (1931-32), Lake Forest, Illinois

This lavishly illustrated book is the catalogue for a major exhibition on the work of David Adler, which will be held at The Art Institute of Chicago from December 6, 2002 to May 18, 2003.

Martha Thorne is Associate Curator, Department of Architecture, at The Art Institute of Chicago.