Restored Dining Room

Bersbach (Randazzo) Residence Wilmette, Illinois John Van Bergen served as an apprentice in Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio in Oak Park, and later went on to design dozens of residential and commercial buildings throughout Illinois and California. The Bersbach House is considered by many historians as his best residential commission, and is designed to take full advantage of views of Lake Michigan from this lakeside property. The Owners were confronted with a very difficult problem, in that they desired to enlarge the house, without compromising views of the lake from the recently restored Living and Dining Rooms. A strategy was therefore developed wherein the two-bedroom/family room addition was planned as an extension of the lower level of the house, thereby preserving lake views. Designed with materials such as brick, stucco and cypress to complement the existing house, the addition provides additional bedrooms for children and guests, as well as an ideal setting for summer parties and family gatherings. The project was completed in late 2003.