Located in the Depaul neighborhood of Chicago, the design of this three-story single family house explores the relationship of indoor and outdoor spaces.
The house is conceived as two independent brick volumes connected by a central glass-enclosed stairwell. Along with the convenience of the central scissors stairs, the subdivided volumes’ intimate scale belie the 5,500sf overall size of the house.
The textures of the moulded clay brick, cleft bluestone, hand seamed zinc cladding, and scraped wood floors counter the machined quality of the neatly tailored steel window walls, flush elm cabinetry, and stainless steel counters.
In contrast to the repetitive punched openings of the understated facade, the rear volume’s two-story window wall opens exuberantly to a raised patio. Encircled by terraced seating and landscaping that cloak an existing three-car garage, the patio extends the informal living spaces of the kitchen and family room to the outdoors.
Additional Images
Interior Design: Leslie Jones & Associates
General Contractor: Fraser Construction
Photography: Steve Hall – Hedrich Blessing