Naperville's Tosi Homes

History

Don A. Tosi was a prominent postwar designer and  homebuilder recognized for his modernist inspired home designs. As a protege of  renowned mid-century modernist architect Bruce Goff, Tosi served as general  contractor for the construction of the Goff-designed Ruth Van Sickle Ford House  (1950) in Aurora, Illinois. Following completion of the Ford House, Tosi established a  name for himself as a creative, oftentimes eccentric, designer and builder of custom  suburban single-family homes. Tosi's unique built legacy can be seen throughout the  Aurora and Naperville subdivisions erected between 1950 and 1980, particularly in  the West Highlands, Maplebrook, and Cress Creek neighborhoods. Being more than 50 years old these homes are now considered "historic" by City of Naperville Historic Preservation standards.

A  preliminary  list of houses potentially designed by Tosi has been compiled and the number is  over 70. Many of these homes are located in subdivisions with ongoing “tear-downs” being built, so  documenting these unique homes needs to be done before more are lost.

The homes built by Don Tosi are an important part of Naperville’s history. They  exemplify Mid-century Modern style, a significant design movement. Mid-century  architecture was frequently employed in residential structures with the goal of  bringing modernism into America's post-war suburbs. Tosi homes are perhaps the  ultimate examples of Mid-century Modern in Naperville. It is important to document  them.