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The outstanding quality of the architectural design, materials and construction of this house and grounds is enough to rank Van Bergen at the top of his profession. There is little else of this period in architecture to equal this masterpiece.
Some locals claim that this is a Frank Lloyd Wright design. Others say that the Ewings wanted a Wright design but found his moral character disagreeable, and so chose Van Bergen at the recommendation of Jens Jensen.
What Van Bergen himself wrote in a letter to a colleague in October, 1967 should put any speculation to rest:
"I just found out that the Spencer Ewing house in Bloomington, Illinois was architected by F.L.W. and the present owner (a Mr. Owens) has the plans signed by Wright to prove it. I doubt that Wright ever saw the Ewing house. Jens Jensen introduced me to the Ewings and Wright had nothing to do with the project. That's a new trick to me, but then anything may happen!. I only wish I could get photos of this Ewing home for it is one of my best."
His description of the house:
"Stratified limestone walls, tile roofs. Large country home with interesting stone work and tile second story window course. Jens Jensen designed pool and landscaping"
Some interesting features include:
The exterior is stone up to the second story windows and glazed ceramic tile above. The fascia of the deep overhanging eaves are decorated with an abstract wooden "hawthorn" motif.
Inside, the milled trim and casings are all oak. The floors and stairs are quarter sawn white oak. There are three bedrooms upstairs, each with bath - plus a servants suite with a separate stairway. An elevator in the center of the building connects the basement to the kitchen on the first floor, to the servants suite on the second, to the attic.
The small pool house/shelter is all stratified limestone with a flat roof and has a massive limestone fireplace inside.
The house and grounds are superbly and meticulously maintained. Architectural blueprints survive as do Jensen's landscape blueprints. Also, presentation drawings still exist for an earlier, more elaborate design that was rejected by the client.
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