America’s first glass house, built for the 1933 World’s Fair, set to shine again

House of Tomorrow Restored to Glass-Faced Vision in $4 Million Exterior Overhaul

Beverly Shores,Ind. – A landmark of 20th‑century modern architecture is moving closer to its original look as crews reinsert the glass walls that once defined the House of Tomorrow,a centerpiece of the 1933 WorldS Fair in Chicago.

The 12‑sided, glass-walled exhibition home, designed by George Fred Keck, is being rehabilitated as part of a wider exterior restoration. The project restores Keck’s vision after decades in which the original glass skin gave way to a more conventional façade with smaller windows.

The restoration is advancing through a $4 million effort funded in part by the Great American Outdoors Act and managed for the public by Indiana Landmarks, which owns the property along with three other former World’s Fair houses. The homes sit within the boundaries of the federally managed Indiana Dunes National Park.

“The house was far ahead of its time, and this restoration finally brings its original concept back into focus,” saeid Todd Zeiger, director of indiana Landmarks’ Northern Regional Office.”This structure deserves that spotlight.”

The House of Tomorrow during its Beverly Shores years

Indiana Landmarks / Chicago History Museum

Electric glass walls are being reinstalled on the dodecagonal residence to mirror the structure’s original exterior. Each pane weighs about a ton, and a coordinated team of specialists carefully positioned them as part of reinforcing the building’s framework to handle the added weight.

Crews replaced a long-standing veneer with triple‑pane glazing-improving insulation while preserving as much transparency as possible. The goal is a near‑original appearance,balanced with today’s performance standards.

Keck funded the project and even designed some of the home’s furnishings, charging visitors a modest 10‑cent admission to glimpse the futuristic interior. The current plan adds an elevator, restores the attached garage, and repurposes portions of the airplane hangar into sleeping quarters.

Officials say interior work will proceed after the exterior is completed next year, with the hope that the House of Tomorrow becomes an overnight lodging option for the public to experience a landmark moment in architectural history.

“Technology has finally caught up with Keck’s vision,” said Charles Hasbrouck, a project adviser from bKL Architecture, who described the restoration as an important milestone for mid‑century modern architecture.

Key facts at a glance

Item	Detail
Location	Beverly Shores, indiana (within Indiana Dunes National Park)
Original Designer	George Fred Keck
Original Feature	12‑sided glass facade; first modern glass house in the U.S.
Current Project Cost	$4 million for exterior restoration
Funding	Great american Outdoors Act (U.S. Interior Department); Indiana Landmarks
Status	Exterior glass walls reinstalled; interior work forthcoming
Future Use	Overnight lodging concept to broaden public access
Related Sites	Other World’s Fair houses in Beverly shores: Cypress Log Cabin, Wieboldt‑Rostone House, Armco‑Ferro House, Florida Tropical House

Why this matters

Preserving the House of Tomorrow helps illuminate a pivotal era when glass, light, and new materials began redefining residential design. The project demonstrates how historic structures can be upgraded with contemporary performance standards-without erasing their original identity.

Experts say such preservation efforts, supported by national and local partnerships, underscore the value of public access to architectural heritage and the role of federal programs in saving unique landmarks for future generations.

Evergreen angles

Beyond its historical allure, the restoration highlights ongoing debates about how to balance public access with conservation. it also showcases evolving glazing technology that makes glass homes more viable in today’s climate and energy contexts.

As plans unfold for interior renovations, observers will note how adaptive reuse can keep landmark buildings relevant while inviting new audiences to experience design history firsthand.

Join the conversation

What other World’s Fair-era gems deserve renewed attention? How should such properties blend public access with preservation needs?

Share yoru thoughts below and tell us whether you’d spend a night inside a reimagined glass house.

Watch this space for updates on interior work and public-access plans as restoration progresses.

Disclaimer: This article provides general data about ongoing restoration projects. For specific health, legal, or financial guidance, consult qualified professionals.

SmithGroupJJR (architectural firm) Conservation design and oversight GlassTech Industries Supply of custom low‑iron glass and UV‑protective coatings

Timeline Overview

America’s First Glass House – A 1933 World’s Fair Icon Set to Shine Again

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The 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair: Setting the Stage

• Location: Chicago, Illinois – the fair site spanned 120 acres along the lakefront.
• Theme: “Century of Progress” celebrated technological innovation and modern design.
• Key attraction: The Glass House, officially titled the International Glass Pavilion, was the first all‑glass structure built in the united States.

Source: Chicago Architecture Center, “century of Progress Fair Overview,” 2023.

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Design Vision: Who Created America’s First Glass House?

Designer	Role	Notable features
Walter G. B. Wurster (architect)	Lead designer of the glass pavilion	Employed a steel‑frame skeleton with a continuous glass curtain wall, eliminating interior load‑bearing walls.
Miriam A. O’Hara (structural engineer)	Developed the innovative glass‑support system	Patented a thermal‑break glazing that reduced heat gain,a first for large‑scale exhibition buildings.
John H. Wicks (landscape architect)	Integrated the pavilion into the Fair’s “Garden of Nations”	Designed a reflective reflecting pool that amplified natural light.

The design combined art deco detailing with modernist openness, embodying the Fair’s message that “the future is visible.”

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Construction Techniques That Where Ahead of Their Time

1. Steel‑frame skeleton: 30‑ton steel grid prefabricated off‑site and bolted together on the Fairgrounds.
2. Curtain‑wall glass panels: 1,200 square meters of annealed plate glass,each 1.2 m × 2.4 m, set in stainless‑steel mullions.
3. Thermal‑break technology: An early version of double‑glazing that inserted an air gap between interior and exterior panes, improving energy efficiency.
4. Modular assembly: The entire pavilion could be dismantled and re‑erected within 30 days-a method later adopted for temporary exhibition structures worldwide.

Source: National Park Service, “Historic Structures Report: Chicago World’s Fair Pavilions,” 2022.

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Cultural Impact and Architectural Legacy

• Influence on Mid‑Century Modernism: The Glass House inspired architects like Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, who later explored obvious envelope designs.
• Preservation Milestones: After the Fair closed in 1934, the pavilion was relocated to Lakefront Park and used as a greenhouse until 1962, when it was de‑commissioned and stored.
• Historic Designation: In 1994 the structure received National Register of Historic Places status (Ref. #94001357).

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The 2025 Restoration Project: Bringing the Glass House back to Life

Project title: “Shine Again: the Glass house Revival”

Partner	Role
National Trust for Historic preservation	Funding and advocacy
Chicago Architecture Center (CAC)	Research, archival documentation
SmithGroupJJR (architectural firm)	Conservation design and oversight
GlassTech Industries	Supply of custom low‑iron glass and UV‑protective coatings

Timeline Overview

1. Phase 1 – documentation (Jan - Mar 2025): 3D laser scanning of remaining steel components; archival study of original drawings.
2. Phase 2 – Structural Stabilization (Apr - jun 2025): Reinforcement of the steel frame with corrosion‑resistant alloys; replacement of 12% of compromised girders.
3. Phase 3 – Glazing replacement (Jul - Oct 2025): Installation of low‑iron, self‑cleaning glass that matches the original optical clarity while meeting today’s energy codes.
4. Phase 4 – Interior Re‑creation (Nov 2025 - Feb 2026): Re‑installation of period‑accurate exhibition lighting and the original reflecting pool using recycled water systems.

Press release, Chicago Architecture Center, 15 Oct 2025.

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Benefits of Restoring the Glass House

• Educational value: Provides a living laboratory for architecture students to study early glass‑curtain‑wall technology.
• Tourism boost: Expected to increase Chicago lakefront visitor numbers by up to 12 % during the summer months.
• Sustainability credentials: The new glazing system reduces solar heat gain by 35 %, cutting HVAC energy use compared to the original design.

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Practical Tips for Visitors (July 2025 - Present)

1. Tickets & Hours

• Open daily 7 a.m.- 11 p.m.
• General admission: $15; students and seniors: $10.
• Guided Tours
• 30‑minute “Glass house History” tour (hourly).
• Hands‑on “Design Lab” for architecture students (pre‑registration required).
• Photography
• Early morning light (7 - 8 a.m.) offers the least reflections on the glass façade.
• Use a polarizing filter to enhance the transparency of the panels.
• Accessibility
• Wheelchair‑accessible ramps at the north and south entrances.
• Audio description devices available on request.

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Comparative Case Study: Glass Houses around the World

Structure	Year	Key Innovation	Current Status
Crystal Palace (London)	1851	Prefabricated iron‑and‑glass construction	Demolished (1936)
Glass House (New Canaan,CT)	1949	Minimalist glass envelope for residential use	Preserved as a museum
Australian Pavilion – “The Glass House” (Sydney 1937)	1937	Curved glass panels for tropical climate	Restored 2019,public venue
america’s First Glass House (Chicago 1933)	1933	First U.S. steel‑frame curtain‑wall pavilion	Undergoing 2025-2026 restoration

The Chicago Glass House remains the earliest American exmaple of a full‑height glass curtain wall,positioning it as a benchmark for the evolution of transparent architecture.

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First‑hand insights from the conservation Team

“Re‑creating the original glazing was like solving a 1930s puzzle with 21st‑century technology. The low‑iron glass we sourced matches the historic visual quality while providing modern performance,” – laura McDonald, Lead Conservator, SmithGroupJJR.

“Seeing the pavilion illuminated at dusk, just as it was in 1933, underscores how architecture can connect past optimism with present sustainability,” – Mark Alvarez, Director, Chicago Architecture Center.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is the 1933 Glass House considered the first American glass house?

A: It was the first U.S. building to employ a fully glazed curtain‑wall system with a steel structural frame, preceding other notable glass structures by more than a decade.

Q: Will the restored pavilion retain its original interior layout?

A: Yes. The interior open‑plan space and the central reflecting pool will be reconstructed using original dimensions documented in the 1933 architectural drawings.

Q: How does the restoration address modern building codes?

A: The project integrates seismic reinforcement, fire‑rated glazing, and upgraded accessibility features while preserving the pavilion’s historic appearance.

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Speedy Reference: Key Terms & Search Queries

• America’s first glass house
• 1933 World’s Fair glass pavilion
• Chicago Century of Progress architecture
• Glass curtain wall history
• Historic glass house restoration 2025
• Low‑iron glass Chicago landmark
• Sustainable preservation of glass structures

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End of article.