Type: Multi Family - New Construction
Program: 4 Duplex Units with Parking
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Client: Ranquist & New Era Development Groups
Construction: G.Corp Development
Status: Completed 2020
Brief: New 10,500 SF Four-Unit Condominium Building with Detached Garage
Parti
Site Location
Organization Model
Organization Diagram
Lower Unit Floor Plan
Penthouse Floor Plan
Street Elevation
Construction Drawing: North-South Section
Construction: Site Excavation
Construction: Foundation & Shoring
Construction: Concrete
Construction: Topping out
Construction: Interior
South facade © Mike Schwartz
Aerial view © Mike Schwartz
South facade © Mike Schwartz
South entry © Mike Schwartz
Lower unit patio © Mike Schwartz
Lower unit patio © Mike Schwartz
Common stair © Mike Schwartz
Entry © Mike Schwartz
South facade © Mike Schwartz
Upper unit master bedroom © Mike Schwartz
Upper unit kitchen © Mike Schwartz
North facade private deck © Mike Schwartz
North facade common stair © Mike Schwartz
In between space with garage © Mike Schwartz
North facade common stair © Mike Schwartz
North facade © Mike Schwartz
South facade © Mike Schwartz
530 Dickens is a new four-unit multi-family building that aims to contribute to an already established architectural dialogue within its neighborhood context. It is situated on a beautiful tree lined street, nested between two noteworthy dwellings which respectively represent two periods of our city’s history. As a result of the Chicago fire of 1871 and subsequent street re-planning, the building site is rather atypical in shape. The southern pedestrian edge maintains an average Chicago lot dimension, yet the property steps and widens as it opens toward the rear.
Tasked to construct four duplex units with dedicated parking on a site with adjacent buildings located directly on the property line yielded an unexpected project outcome. We utilized the side yard setback for an exterior circulation corridor, locating the primary vertical interior circulation at the middle of the building footprint, the wider section of the plan. In this entry procession, we considered the poetic nature of the existing masonry walls as part of the pedestrian experience. In juxtaposing the new, more refined masonry, with the old Chicago common brick we intended to create lasting impressions on both the homeowners and their visitors as they move between the two time periods.
Furthermore, the building is organized as a series of overlapping Tetris-like dwelling spaces. The sleeping rooms are located towards the front, the narrowest section of the building, while the living spaces were placed at the back, where the lot opens up considerably. This arrangement enabled us to efficiently distribute the required building area, meeting zoning height constraints while maximizing for daylight within this bounding lot. In addition, this stacking approach was optimal in providing views and light in each living space, capturing all four orientations. Balconies and terraces are integrated at both ends of the building, promoting social connectivity with the surrounding context and creating opportunity for cross ventilation within each unit.
The outward reading of this building was carefully studied as its massing and scale is visible from numerous vantage points within the neighborhood. In order to integrated it into its context we built upon the surrounding material language of masonry and iron work, bringing the two together in a contemporary way. The formal notion of front, side, and rear was not part of our design conversations, but rather thinking of this building form as a response to the interior organization and site planning strategies. Furthermore, the large surrounding trees were considered not only for shade, but for their ability to paint mural-like shadows on the building’s broad masonry walls. Thus, subtly integrating the existing poetic qualities of place as part of the overall intent.
In our minds, the 530 Dickens building needed to feel like it belonged here, while also marking its place in time and becoming a well-intentioned neighbor for many years to come.