Philip Maher designed the house at 1110 Chestnut Avenue, built in 1923 for George and Helen Bichl, while he worked with his father’s firm, George W. Maher Sons, Planners and Architects. Although not as well known as his father, Maher was recognized as a significant architect who combined architectural historicism with his father’s more progressive Prairie Style.

Two approaches to architectural design were recognized in the early 20th Century. These included the historic revival, which carried over from the 19th Century, as well as a new approach that sought more modern designs considered appropriate to the times. Philip Maher’s designs were a combination of both schools of thought.

Philip Maher began practicing architecture using historical styles and forms, which he then later abstracted and simplified. His father’s influence is evident in Philip Maher’s style of abstracted ornamentation.

The house at 1110 Chestnut Avenue, similar to 1040 Chestnut Avenue, displays several characteristics of a historic designer’s approach to architecture. The long rectangular massing of the house and arched openings are representative of the Italian Renaissance style. Maher’s use of an arched theme can be seen in the two open, multi-arched loggias: one on the front of the house that marks the main entrance, the other on the east side that serves as a formal entrance to the sunken garden. The arched theme is also seen throughout the interior and exterior of the house in a number of doors and windows.

Maher’s more modern and progressive style of architecture is also expressed throughout the house. It can be seen in his decorative abstracted vine and leaf pattern on the exterior of the house, as well as in his interpretation and application of his father’s motif-rhythm theory of ornament. The decorative pattern can be found in cut stone and the blind arches over both the front entrance, garage doors, and at the tops of the brick driveway piers.

Philip Maher also designed the house directly east of 1110 Chestnut. 1040 Chestnut was built for Dorothy and Edward Schager the same year the Bichl House was designed. The two homes were built (by their father) for sisters Mrs. Bichl and Mrs. Schager. Both houses are entered by a set of gates and have a shared landscape that originally contained a large swimming pool and pergola, a sunken rock pool or grotto, a trellis that still exists and small fountains. The formal landscape design stylistically resembled a 17th Century Italian Renaissance garden.