Located on a 6-corner intersection at the gateway to one of Chicago’s historic residential neighborhoods, the western façade is designed to respect the existing more pedestrian streetscape. The design continues to borrow mass and scale from the neighboring buildings through the inclusion of a central entry and a vertical compositional emphasis. The quiet of the neighborhood is juxtaposed with urban movement as the rear site line is adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway. This eastern façade is designed for the commuter with speed in mind. It has a horizontal emphasis with banding and rhythmic window openings taken from a snap shot of the traffic patterns. Metal spandrel panels are painted Lambourghini yellow to further bring the context of the road to the structure above. The juncture of these two opposing experiences is resolved at the corners through the introduction of an all glass bay element to create a contemporary take on the historic corner.

This hybrid wine and cheese store/bar takes cues from the proprietor’s philosophy on wine – an understanding of the wine process presented in a laid back manner, focusing on the personal experience with wine rather than a clinical or “correct” experience. To create a space that aligned with the philosophy, intimate and comfortable lounge seating is provided on two distinct levels. The architectural details themselves are appropriated from the wine making process. A curved ceiling canopy is finished with cork for sound absorption; the booth, floor and many cabinetry details use natural white oak, instrumental to the wine-aging process; and ambient lighting with stark white resin counters and table tops serve as platforms for maximizing the color experience of the wine. The setting is an armature for the wine tasting experience. Its design exposes, even educates, the consumer to the wine-making process without feeling instructive or obtrusive.

New construction office building (LEED-Silver) Capitalizing on a high visibility location, the commercial building program sets out to achieve a Silver LEED rating, a decision that will be both environmentally and fiscally responsible as the space fills with young-upstart companies attracted to its sustainable design. A distinctive form is created through two simple yet unique concepts: a will not to add to urban landfill and a desire to preserve history. The existing 2-story building is saved through an addition that cantilevers over it in an effort to maintain the existing building’s historic presence on the streetscape. Some of the sustainable elements are true amenities to future occupants. These include a habitable green roof with a usable terrace, a regulation bocce court for work time recreation and carefully oriented window openings that flood light into all interior spaces. The site also includes the adaptive re-use of an existing warehouse whose painted-over façade is to be stripped, preserved and highlighted via a new façade paneling and lighting system. In the void between the two buildings an extensively landscaped interior courtyard space is being created for tenant use.

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