920 East Shore Drive - Steel Strand House

This property use to be the demostator house of steel or Zinc from the 1933 World's fair in Chicago; This web-site is the opening for the demonstrator homes of the fair: A Century of Progress Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition. The fair was held from May 27^th to Nov. 1^st; the purpose stated was:

In 1933 and 1934 the Chicago's World's Fair, know as "A Century of Progress" was organized as a not-for-profit corporation in January of 1928. Its charter was to hold a World's Fair in Chicago in 1933.

The "A Century of Progress Exposition" was conceived as a 100 year anniversary commemorating the city of Chicago and a testament to the industrial and scientific a chievements up to that time.

Constructed of concrete, steel and baked iron enamel, the Good Housekeeping Stran-Steel House was priced in the $7,500-$7,900 range, or less than $150,000 in today's dollars. The home was unique in its use of steel, a building material that had formerly only been used for skyscrapers and commercial buildings.

For architects and builders, the Stran-Steel home exemplified a triumph in the use of an innovative building material that, until now, had only been used for skyscrapers and commercial buildings. The Stran-Steel Corporation produced a lightweight steel beam that was more flexible than wood, lighter and twice as strong. The frame of the home consisted of these beams in a network of interlocking joints. Additionally, a key to the steel success as a building material was the use of a specially designed nail that would penetrate the girders to hold wallboard on both the inside and outside of the struture. The result was a sturdy and well insulated building that would withstand even the most severe weather and n atural disasters. More interestingly is the outer covering that was created by the corporation.

To provide a fireproof surface, eight by two feet sheets of three inch thick baked iron enamel were used to cover the outside. The baked surface of the material gave the illusion of brick and also helped to insulate the home. Of course, such an innovative and futuristic building material could only work on an art deco structure in the 1930's. The Stran-Steel House is a prime example of the deco influence on the artists and contractors of the day. Incorporating streamlined lines, elegance and technology is a trademark of the 1933 World's Fair. Many of the buildings that housed exhibits or concert halls personified the more cubist Bauhaus influence.

Promotional Brochure for Steel Strand House (pdf)

Of these homes Monic Brooks writes:

I understand that at least one home, The Good Housekeeping Stran-Steel Garden Home, was sent to a suburb of Chicago. The baked enamel panels deteriorated, I could see them turning gray so it’s possible that’s the one they were referring to but I can’t be sure w/out a photo. It was torn down in 1992. There were two Stran-Steel homes. I believe one is still standing in Illinois.

Also as noted elsewhere the cement street lights that lined downtown Culver till the early 1970's and now some adorn the park was have come from the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair.

I have also heard it be referred to as the "zinc house"; why I am not sure why unless because the color of it reminded on of zinc.

Found in an atricle in the Indianapolis Star article ' Lake Maxinkuckee and its cottages , 1936" and also published in the Culver Citizen that year:

The sensation of this summer, however, is the new "zinc" house which is being erected by Chicago residents. It is fireproof with concrete floors and steel window and door frames. The insulation has been ingeniously designed to keep the house delightfully cool in hot weather. It is of the new ultra-modern architecture and is equipped with many gadgets which would have made the old-timers open their eyes in amazement.

Does anyone have a picture of the "zinc house"?
1935-1953,Jun - 0scar. E. Bransky (Bronsky)

April 1, 1936— All-Steel Cottage Being Built on East Side of Lake

An all-steel modernistic summer home is being built by 0. E. Bronsky on the east side of the Lake Maxinkukcee.

The house will occupy the lots between the Perry and Perkins places.

Mr. Bronsky is an offical of the Standard oil company at Chicago.

This will be the first all-steel house built in this vicinity, and its novel construction will attract considerable interest