The home in Lake Forest, Illinois was designed by architect Robert “Bob” Rasmussen, a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright. Rasmussen designed the home for himself and his wife Joan. However, with Joan's death in 2007 and Bob's death in 2021, the house was in danger of being demolished.

In an effort to preserve the prized property, neighbors purchased the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home in 2022 for $582,000 and sought to find a collector-minded buyer. Now, for the first time, the home is on the open market, priced at $975,000.

The custom walnut sofa in the living room, designed by the architect and owner, is included in the sale price. (Phil Hegel of VHT Studios).

The dining set, which seats eight, is original to the home and is included in the asking price. (Phil Hegel of VHT Studios)

The kitchen, which mimics the circular design of the living room fireplace, is also a veritable time capsule. (Phil Hegel of VHT Studios)

Ideal for Mid-Century Modern Lovers

This 1960s-built home retains many of its original elements, and while it needs careful restoration and maintenance, its distinctive vintage architectural style will undoubtedly appeal to architecture enthusiasts. Lou Zucaro, who handled the listing for Modern Illinois, says that while the house itself is stunning, not everyone appreciates the architectural style.

Rasmussen, who studied under Wright from 1956 to 1957, put a great deal of effort into making sure every detail of the house was perfect, and Zucaro emphasizes that the ideal buyer would be someone who appreciates the house itself and is willing to live in the style of the original design.

Each bedroom features built-in storage. (Phil Hegel of VHT Studios).

The master bathroom has a sunken terrazzo tub, an original amenity to this home. (Phil Hegel of VHT Studios)

From the deck, you can see the mature oak trees on the property. (Phil Hegel of VHT Studios)

This custom bar is located on the lower level of the completed home. (Phil Hegel, VHT Studios)

A very organic architectural design

The 2,406-square-foot home follows Wright's philosophy of organic architecture, which is composed primarily of limestone and glass and is full of smooth curves. The stone fireplace in the living room and kitchen feature rounded corners and original appliances and tile.

Original touches in the home include Knoll fabric draperies and walnut accents, like the built-in bench in the living room, cabinets, desk, storage, and terrazzo tub in the master bath.

The lower level features a rec room, curved bar, wine cellar and workshop/studio space. In addition, the property includes a covered patio and two-car garage. Updates include newly installed HVAC system and finished lower level.

Preserving history: original design materials included

The next owner of the home will receive a design manual, original furnishings, and design drawings written by Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen themselves. This information provides buyers with references to the materials and colors used in the construction of the home. The furniture list for the sale includes 19 vintage pieces such as leather recliners, a dining table (with eight chairs) and an architect-designed walnut coffee table and curved sofa.

Ideal high-end residential location

Located approximately 40 miles north of downtown Chicago and adjacent to Lake Michigan, Lake Forest is an upscale suburb that is popular with home buyers, Zucaro adds, “It has one of the lowest property taxes in Lake County and the state of Illinois, and has excellent public school ratings, and a very livable community environment.”