A house inside the Research Village built by United States Gypsum Company at Barrington Woods, Illinois | architect: O'Neil Ford | decorator: Lucille Knoche

7/26/2025 07:57:00 PM

On a wooded plot known as Research Village, at Barrington Woods, Illinois, are six brand-new houses that have a long history of research behind them. It began in 1952 when the United States Gypsum Company invited leading architects and The National Association of Home Builders to work with company experts on new design and construction ideas and new uses for modern building materials. Work progressed from laboratory to drawing board to scale models. Finally the actual houses were built.

The house selected for publication by HOUSE & GARDEN is long and low and livable, a simple rectangular shape enclosing 1,624 square feet. Outside, it is extended by broad roof overhangs, a carport with storage wall, a paved terrace and fenced-in play yard. Inside, there are four bedrooms and a playroom (an indication that families are getting bigger, and demanding privacy for each person as well as a place for group activities and hobbies); one bathroom, separate lavatory, kitchen-laundry, and a great L-shaped living-dining room that measures 22'6" x 27. All rooms seem even more spacious than they are because big window-walls open them to the outdoors and because high ceilings (9'6") add overhead space.

The floor plan makes skillful use of space. For example, in- side bathrooms are sky-lighted, leaving the outside walls free for main rooms. The master bedroom serves as a buffer between parents' and children's areas; and the playroom is strategically located between the children's bedrooms and the kitchen. Meals and snacks are easily served from kitchen to dining L, playroom or play yard. Children can come and go with no tracking through living room.

To provide plenty of storage space for a large family, there are ingenious built-ins. For example, the storage wall between playroom and lavatory is divided horizontally; the upper half has cabinets that open on the playroom side, and the lower half has a laundry hamper and cabinets that open on the lavatory side. Besides the built-ins and ample closets inside, there is the carport storage wall. This is inexpensive to build and a convenience because all outdoor toys and gardening equipment can be kept close to the point of use.

Because of new construction techniques and new building materials, the house has far more than average comfort, safety and space. Exterior walls are fireproof. Some interior walls, also fireproof, are only 2" thick; compared to the usual 6" thick walls, this adds considerable floor space in a small house. Floors are cushioned with vinyl tile, and ceilings are bordered with acoustical tiles above big windows. The warm-air heating system permits a cooling unit to be added at any time, at moderate cost. It slides under the furnace to cool the whole house through the same ducts that heat it.

Long kitchen-laundry opens to playroom, play yard, dining L: is the vantage point from which mother can keep an eye on the children. Meals are easily served either indoors or outdoors.

Living-dining room is divided by a two-faced storage wall opening on two sides. On dining side, above, are drawers for flatware and table linens, and shelves for china; on living side, right and below, are radio-record player and TV. Color scheme is keyed to sofa fabric, a bold stripe in coarse linen. Playroom, left and left below, is sensibly planned as headquarters for children, hobbies, quick lunches, snacks. Built-in toy shelves can be hidden from view by accordion doors. Round table is two half- circles, easily stacked against wall when not in use.