"We of the Middle West are living on the prairie. The prairie has a beauty of its own and we should recognize and accentuate this natural beauty, its quiet level."      —Frank Lloyd Wright, 1908

Central Illinois’s weather is dramatic. Severe storms can appear and disappear within an hour; a cloudless afternoon sky may provide no evidence of morning showers. Sunsets often become dramatic spectacles. This is in sharp contrast to the unending acres of farmland stretching uniformly to the horizon. The steady cycle of the seasons, the certain chronology of renewal, and the relation of people to the land all contribute to the character of this environment.

The landscape of Central Illinois is stark and subtle; patience and contemplation are necessary to appreciate the complex beauty that is often not evident at first glance. An ability to observe and appreciate such subtlety is a skill invaluable to an architect.

Living in the heart of farm country also has many tangible benefits: locally grown organic produce is readily available; apple orchards, pumpkin farms, and even a reindeer ranch are all nearby and open to visitors, and the Urbana Farmers’ Market (May-October) is noted as one of the best in the state.