To give new life to this multi-unit apartment building embedded in the heart of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, interior and exterior improvements were called for this project. New regionally manufactured cement board and operable window units provided the new cladding, while structural and thermal reinforcements served to improve existing building conditions.
Builder: Summit Construction
Structural Engineer: Goodfriend Magruder
This classic Chicago greystone was updated to offer a more contemporary functional plan, while preserving the building’s characteristic interior and exterior ornamentation. The solution provided a new master suite, renovated the main floor kitchen, and created a new recreational zone on the garden level including a great room, sleeping rooms, and additional cooking and dining space. This new zone is connected and unified through a newly inserted corridor composed of site-reclaimed wood. Extensive structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, millwork and exterior facade improvements were necessary to adapt the structure to today’s lifestyle and provide sufficient climate controls. Through the use of an integrated radiant floor technology, utility costs were greatly reduced, while increased thermal comfort was provided.
The Connecting Porch, space created between the interior and exterior, is the guiding element for this affordable and ecologically-inspired home. The design of this single-family residence takes cues from its Midwestern context, using references of farmhouses, cottages and other early settlement buildings. Affordability is achieved at $110/sf through the use of cost-effective, highly durable materials & resources.
The porch space established along the edges and center of this home becomes the principal device for sun and wind filtration to provide an efficient mechanism for climate control. The open frames of the porch are equipped with retractable sun shades. On sunny days, a rich, warm, indirect light filters through the shades and a channel of constant air flow offers circulation to help moderate temperatures. During colder months, these sun shades can retract to allow the building interior to absorb solar energy throughout the home.
This family wanted to bring new life to their kitchen, the busy hub of their urban home. A simplified floor plan made for a more efficient flow and allowed multiple functions, from cooking to homework, to happen simultaneously within the context of the space. An emphasis on affordable, high-impact materials such as quartz countertops, recycled glass tile, and engineered ceramic flooring provide a resource-conscious and durable solution. Energy Star-rated appliances offer economy and value through efficiency-driven technology.
This project investigated the redevelopment of post-industrial land along the edges of one of Chicago’s oldest and fastest evolving neighborhoods known as The Little Village. Home to a predominantly Latino population, The Little Village neighborhood reflects a unique contextual blend of Mexican and Chicago cultures. This project aims to capture the integration of culture through typologies in planning, urban design & architecture. Built and usable green space is balanced in the plan, and climate issues are also carefully considered, with housing units oriented to capture lateral sun and provide wind filtration, and outdoor gathering spaces designed to function throughout the year.
This existing four-square stucco home is quintessential to this suburban context and preserving the character of its street presence is a priority. Thus, the client’s need for additional space will be provided at the rear of the home, with extensive interior renovations, as well as a two-story addition. The project will create a larger kitchen, a new play/sitting area, office space, additional bathrooms and auxiliary spaces for existing bedrooms. The adaptation of the home’s existing resources against new design elements will promote new technologies to provide durability, enhanced climate control and added comfort for many years to come.
Conversion of Chicago’s historic Palmolive Building from commercial space to a 99-unit luxury residential and retail project required a balanced approach to historic preservation, optimized building performance and comfortable living. Energy and climate improvements are achieved through cost-effective weatherization along the existing masonry shell, in addition to new customized, high-efficiency forced air systems. A prefabricated, raised floor technology, featuring high-quality acoustic control materials, provides an innovative solution for coordination of ductwork and conduit throughout. Customized living units combine with the project’s careful attention to detail to define the Palmolive Building as one of the most significant and successful renovation projects in Chicago history.
Design Team
Architect of Record: Booth Hansen
Design Principal: Laurence Booth
Project Director: Joseph Sperti
Project Architect: Jaime Torres
Developer: Draper & Kramer
MEP Engineer: WMA
Structural Engineer: Thorton Tomasetti
Acoustical Engineer: Shiner
The relationship between the street, retail and living space in this 30-story mixed-use development is a direct response to the context of its bustling, urban neighborhood. The elegant, reinforced concrete structure houses one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium units, street level retail space and enclosed parking for residents and visitors. With only a handful of building materials, cost-effective fabrication methods, energy efficient building envelope systems and simple detailing throughout, SoNo Towers seamlessly integrates resources, climate, and technology.
Design Team
Architect of Record: Booth Hansen
Principals: Laurence Booth, Charlie Stetson
Project Architect: Jaime Torres, Andrew Weber
Developer: Smithfield Properties
Structural Engineer: Thorton Tomasetti
M/P Engineer: Advance Mechanical Systems
Elec. Engineer: Innovative Building Concepts
Civil Engineer: MJD Engineering
A 1920‘s courtyard apartment building was adapted to become a new home for the Priests of the Sacred Heart religious community. Extensive structural modifications to the 41-unit building were required to provide offices and common spaces including a reception area, living room, dining room, library, and chapel. A three-story, rear addition provides new corridors to connect previously separated apartments, improving circulation and encouraging a sense of community. Ground floor retail space was transformed into the chapel providing the Priests of the Sacred Heart a strong neighborhood presence and establishing the facility as an accessible resource for the surrounding community. A second phase of improvements will provide sun control devices to respond to Chicago’s severe climate, reducing heat gain during the warm months and allowing heat absorption during the winter months.
Design Team
Architect of Record: McBride Kelley Baurer
MEP Engineer: Fox Valley Engineers
Structural Engineer: GFGR Engineering
Landscape Architect: McKay Landscape
Canopy was asked to explore solutions that would create additional space for a 160 year old home in the historical town of Galena, Illinois. Following multiple studies, this rendered option (shown) was selected by the owner, presented to the township’s Historical Commission, and approved for construction. The circular turret will expand the ground level’s great room and gracefully extend the outdoor porch. On the second floor, the new volume will provide a study for a connecting guest bedroom. The style and proposed materiality of the design respond successfully to the home’s historical context.
