When the family purchased a split level single family house in their block, they knew they had to expand it somehow to make it home more comfortably. The house was built in the 60s. The concrete foundations are in good shape so the family decided to keep the basement and foundations, strengthen them, demolish the rest and build the house up two and a half stories.

The new building design stays true to the A frame style of the existing houses in the block. Not being too different in shape and form, it still has the contemporary feel due to the use and juxtaposition of metal, glass and white brick.

The design is mindful of the environment and energy use. The interior takes advantage of a large void with skylights at the roof that brings ample amount of light inside. Almost all rooms, even bathrooms have windows so there is not much need to turn any light on during the day. The sloped roof and dormers are made of white shingles to alleviate the heat island effect and help keep the top floor cool during summer. The flat part of the roof on the back is going to be covered in extensive green roof, and barrels will be installed in the backyard for rainwater harvesting in the next phase of the project.

The owner of the single family house wanted to create more space for their growing family. The house was a two story A frame house, where the second floor was partially located below the sloped part of the roof. We elevated the roof and extended the second floor walls up so the full second floor plan is usable. In addition an attic space is created to be used as an extra family room.

New Stairs to attic Family Room

The existing house is a registered Landmark house in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. As a landmark building in a historically significant area the street view of the house has to remain identical to the existing to be coherent with the surrounding architecture. Our team re-configured all the interior and designed an extension to the back of the house to accommodate the owners’ young and growing family.

The main design goal was to create open yet geometric floor plans to allow different options for family activities, kids to play and study, entertain and accommodate guests. The clients also liked the juxtaposition of old and new, modern and rustic which is incorporated throughout the exterior and interior of the building.

The Project is currently under construction. More pictures of the interior will be added soon.

The existing ranch house is located in Oak Lawn, IL a suburb on the south west of city of Chicago. It was purchased and all the interior finishes were removed prior to be handed over to us for design and structural modifications necessary to create an open plan per the owner’s request. Pictures below are taken of the same living area - before and after the construction is completed.

BNMO design and the client have carefully assessed existing building elements and features with historic significance and in reasonable shape, to be refurbished and reused. Original hallway wood working, fire places, second floor wood partitions and space dividers and of course the main building facade are among those.

The art of masonry; as back yard existing brick wall was weathered and damaged, the mason removed the outer brick layer, flipped them and laid them back. The wall has a refreshed look now (below left)

Interior partition framing, and framing around the existing fire place (below two rights)

Finished interior spaces are shown below. Adjacency of historic and contemporary architectural elements had been a focus in layout of spaces and selection of finishes.

The client is a young family who would like to add to their existing home to make room for their growing family. The existing house is an A frame two story building where the second floor is partially usable as it is located below the sloped roof. The project consists of removing the existing roof and rebuilding one at a higher elevation so that the entire second floor plan is usable. An attic space will be created that will be used for storage.

The existing two flat building is located in the Woodlawn neighborhood in the south side of Chicago. It is owned by one of the non for profit organizations in the neighborhood. It is going to be renovated into 3 residential units for rental. The project is currently under construction.

Parkview Roosevelt Residential Development and Affordable Housing

2840 W. Roosevelt Rd. Chicago IL 60612

Design

Roosevelt residential is a multifamily residential development across from Douglas Park in Chicago's medical district. The program includes ground floor level assigned for retail spaces, six floors of residential units and a fitness room and community event room on the top floor with roof top decks and views to the park and the city.  

The site location and orientation provide the residential units with views to both the park and the Chicago skyline. Therefore units are given full height glass windows. Some are operable and sliding behind a screen of vines to let ample amount of fresh air in while providing solar shading for units facing south. Set backs on the south facade are provided for similar reason, and to allow for unit balconies. Building residential unit types are one and two bedrooms. Parking is provided to the residential units on the north part of the ground floor and in the basement. 

Building construction is planned to begin Spring of 2017 and end Fall of 2018. 

Aspirations

The project team aspires for the project to give back to the community. Also to simply be a better addition to nature and the built environment and a better house for its residents.

• For the project to be socially conscious a percentage of the residential units are designated to be offered as affordable housing. 
• Strategies highlighted in the following diagram are project goals, planned for the building to achieve the Living Building Challenge 3.0 Certification or as many petals* as possible; a higher level of environmental consciousness while providing healthier and more beautiful spaces for the users.

* Petal refers to each category of Living Building Challenge rating system.

Residential units and the event room typical interior views and finishes