645 W. Meacham Road Schaumburg, IL 60193

Schweikher - Langsdorf House

Historical Value

The Schweikher-Langsdorf House and Studio is an extraordinary modernist historic house museum designed by the notable architect, Paul Schweikher. Initially, Schweikher built the house as his private residence and professional architecture studio between 1938 and 1953. The building is an amalgam of styles: Prairie, Japanese and vernacular architecture. It also underlines the strong influence of an early twentieth century modernist design.

The one-story house was a complete remodel of an old barn. Built with commonly found materials such as brick, red cypress wood and glass, it embodies a very forward-thinking design in sustainability and engineering. Centered in the living room, the architect built a massive fireplace designed to position the Chicago common bricks presented as its essential element. An extraordinarily structured hearth mimicking the residence's cantilever seems suspended without any visible support. Architecturally its commanding presence creates the house’s character. Throughout, many concealed storages are cleverly built-in the paneling in each of the rooms. Overall, the linear design highlights a Japanese influence assigning shoji screens an active role. The architect had visited Japan and loved Asian elegant aesthetics which were also part of Frank Lloyd Wright's inspiration.

These inexpensive and eco-friendly materials as well as the roof design helped the house conform to its natural environment which was designed by landscape architect Franz Lipp. The interior of the T-shaped house is divided into separate areas: sleeping, living and working areas connected in a way that allow for a constant flow of natural light and air. The studio connected by a breezeway was added to the house and is cantilevered over the large backyard. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The Schweikher-Langsdorf House & Studio was acquired by the Village of Schaumburg in 1999 and then preserved into a house museum.

“In the 1980s she and her husband faced many challenges when the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago threatened to condemn their property and their unique home. However, the Langsdorfs were able to obtain the National Register in 1987 before the house was purchased by the District in 1989. As part of the negotiated contract with the District, the Langsdorfs were granted life tenancy in the house” Sarah Welcome, Schweikher house tours and programming coordinator.

The architect

Paul Schweikher was from Denver, Colorado and graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. After his marriage to Dorothy Miller, they moved to Chicago where he studied at The Art Institute of Chicago. In the 1930s, he collaborated with George Fred Keck and Philip Maher. His works were included in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in 1933 and at the Century of Progress International Exposition. Schweikher joined Theodore Warren Lamb and Elting in 1934 which then later became Schweikher and Elting. After being named chairman of the Yale School of Architecture, he became head of the Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture to then retire in Sedona AZ in 1970.

The owners

Alexander Langsdorf and his wife, Martyl Langsdorf purchased it from Schweikher in 1953. Alexander Langsdorf was an internationally known nuclear physicist involved in the World War II Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago who collaborated with Italian scientist Enrico Fermi. Martyl was a well-known artist whose paintings have been part of acclaimed exhibitions. Also, she is known for creating the Doomsday Clock for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Martyl Langsdorf

MARTYL LANGSDORF, 1917-2013

Martyl Langsdorf was an acclaimed artist whose works appeared in numerous exhibits, galleries as well as museums internationally.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 16, 1917 to Martin and Aimée Schweig, she showed a love for drawing and art early on in life. Martin Schweig, Martyl’s father, was a well known local photographer and Aimée, her mother, was involved in the St. Louis art world. Martyl also was very active within the Ste. Genevieve Art Colony near St. Louis. The Great Depression had a serious impact on her, she painted a mural called “La Guignolée” that can still be viewed today. Martyl graduated from Washington University in St. Louis where she met her husband, Alexander Langsdorf.
A friend of her husband, the founder of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Hyman Goldsmith from the Universty of Chicago asked Martyl to design a cover for the Bulletin. Martyl designed the iconic Doomsday Clock that has been on the cover of every Bulletin since its inception in June 1947.

In the early 1950s looking for a house near Chicago, the Langsdorfs fell in love with the one built by Paul Schweikher. He had recently been asked to join Yale University as chairman of the School of Architecture, and would soon be moving out. Enjoying her new space, Martyl continued to pursue her art. Her paintings are part of many collections which can be found at the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois State Museum, and Los Angeles County Museum of Art just to name a few. Locally, you can see a collection of her paintings at the Rasmussen Meeting Room at the Schaumburg Township District Library.

“Her love for her home was strong, tenacious and palpable. She enjoyed giving tours and insisted on shoeless feet moving across the floors. The Japanese garden on the side and the unique peonies in the backyard were an easy enticement to leave the house. She knew every intricacy and detail of the home and was insistent about the care and upkeep. Her amazing memory and recall allowed her to regale visitors with stories of others who had come before to tour her home” Jane Rozek Schaumburg History Librarian.

Programs

Due to COVID current programming has been modified, please contact tours and programs director Ms. Sarah Welcome for more information.

Some of the past events offered:

Painting workshops
Lectures
Music Concerts
School partnerships
Conversations In The Studio Series

The Schweikher house has recently collaborated with the famous Hubbard Street Dance Company providing a unique space for their modern choreographies. See their Instagram post:

Stay tuned for new programs