Program requirements included five bedrooms, contemporary kitchen with butler’s pantry, children’s play space, and a two-car garage. The new design respects the 19th century character of the home at the front and is distinctly 21st century at the back. Off the foyer, a salon with original fireplace mantle offers space for conversation and is separated from the dining room by tailored pocket doors. Custom ceiling details and an over-size oval window on the landing of the main staircase offer a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional elements.
The back of the home transitions to an open, light-filled space. A contemporary kitchen with large island extends into a double-height addition. The addition has a glass window wall and employs passive solar design to take advantage of its southern exposure, and the original masonry back wall was replaced with a sculptural exposed steel moment frame, a nod to Chicago’s architectural history and industrial past.
An artful two-story bookcase rises from the great room, accessed by a secret panel from the office loft above. The office is a calming space that overlooks the landscape and a Moooi light fixture hanging in the great room. Sustainable design elements include high efficiency mechanicals, durable finishes, new thermal building envelope, and energy efficient LED lighting throughout.
