Old Town Modern Home / dSPACE Studio

Project: Old Town Modern Home
Architects: dSPACE Studio
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Area: 4,300 sf
Photography: Tony Soluri
Text by dSpace

This Old Town modern home was built in 1972. Designed by Bruce Graham, architect of the Sears Tower, it remained unaltered by the original owner until our client purchased it. The exterior had deteriorated beyond repair and the interior needed a new floor plan to accommodate the client’s lifestyle, including flexible space for parties of 100 people.

The design direction was to restore the exterior in accordance with landmark guidelines, open the interior, and increase natural light while respecting existing architecture. Program requirements included 4 bed/3.5 bath (original was 3 bed/3 bath), two bars, new kitchen, spa-like bathrooms, and a landscaped yard with a strong connection to interior space.

The entire home was reconstructed. On the exterior, new rough-cut cedar siding was selected to exactly match original specs, and layered landscaping compliments the architecture.

The floor plan was reimagined around an existing two-story atrium with a glass roof. Interior walls were moved and new herringbone flooring unifies the open space. We relocated the original fireplace to a side wall, expanding views of the garden, and added a sculptural 18ft surround of hand-selected Kenya Black marble from Italy. This marble was also used for artful detailing in the gallery, atrium, and dining areas.

The original steel staircase, inspired by a 1951 Mies van der Rohe design for the Arts Club of Chicago, was restored. It leads to a new master suite, created from the original family room. A lofted media space, created from space originally used for storage, has a new glass railing system offering views to the atrium and living room below.