Type: Residential-Interior
Program: High-Rise Condo Unit
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Construction: Harder Brothers, Inc.
Status: Completed 2014
Brief: Renovation of a 750 SF space, including custom millwork
Concept Sketches
Study Model
Existing Plan
Proposed Plan
Enlarged Study Model
Pre-Existing Conditions
Construction: Shelving Detail
View of Living Space © Bill Zbaren
View of Dining Space © Bill Zbaren
View of Kitchen © Bill Zbaren
View of Storage Volume © Bill Zbaren
View Towards Sleeping © Bill Zbaren
View of Sleeping Area © Bill Zbaren
Glass Partition Detail © Bill Zbaren
View from Kitchen © Bill Zbaren
View Inside Bathroom © Bill Zbaren
Bathroom Detail © Bill Zbaren
Bathroom Entry © Bill Zbaren
Entry Door Detail © Bill Zbaren
The renovation of this lower floor apartment began with a clear intent, to achieve unobstructed views towards the lake from all vantage points within the unit.
First, the sleeping and living arrangements were re-configured and separated with a floor to ceiling glass wall. The inherent properties of the material enables one to see the lake at any given time, either in the reflection or directly through. The applied gradient pattern in the glass adds a sense of privacy within this fully open plan. To further maintain the sight lines, we hid the large living clutter, integrating it within the perimeter demising zones. Behind what appears as a continuous wood wall, an abundance of storage space is allocated, while the floating shelves and low profile millwork add a sense cohesive stitching between the various living zones. Even in the selection of the furnishings we tried to keep the views clear choosing elements that are not opaque or solid. In the kitchen, the deepest and darkest area of the apartment we borrowed natural daylight through the bathroom space, by creating a direct aperture towards the lake through the layers of “smart” glass enclosure in the shower wall.
As a result, we achieved our initial intent, while paying subtle tribute to the building’s refined clarity and to its architecture master of less is more.