It is Farmers Market season again! We’ve updated our Chicago Farmers Market maps for each day so that you can find the markets nearest you at a glance any day of the week. Don’t limit yourself to just one market – you could travel to a different corner of Chicago for a different market every single day […]
Chicago
Earth Day: Easy, Beautiful Ways Designers Can Love the Planet, Today and Every Day
Love your Planet; it is Earth Day! We talk about what architects can do to lessen the impact of buildings on neighborhoods, cities, and our planet.
Coming Soon: Carmen Avenue Sustainable Renovation Adds Openness and Energy Efficiency
We’re about to start construction on the Carmen Avenue house. Our remodel and addition will give this Andersonville home a new lease on life.
Chicago Outdoor Living (and Eating): Sidewalk Cafes, People Spots, and now … the Curbside Cafe
The Curbside Cafe ordinance – permitting restaurants to annex parking spaces for outdoor seating – is Chicago’s newest option outdoor seating.
Chicago’s Odd obsession with Ground Level Parking
It’s hard to see Chicago developers’ obsession with ground level parking when stacking buildings on top of parking only hurts neighborhoods.
The Sears (ahem, Willis) Tower and Chicago’s Skyline
Today we celebrate the Sears (or Willis, if you like) Tower – an anchor and symbol of Chicago since it was completed more than 40 years ago.
Setbacks, Sideyards and the reason we can’t put a window there
In construction terms, a setback means more than discovering an unexpected concrete beam where you wanted to cut a doorway. Today we discuss how they vary and what that means for design and construction projects.
Coming Soon: Wild Blossom Meadery
When artisans create mead, they do it in a meadery. We’re so excited to be done with permitting on the new Wild Blossom Meadery building.
Your Name in Lights: Great Signage For Business
The signage for your business is like its face – the first thing someone sees about you. It is very important to make a good impression. But there are many elements to consider before you “hang out your sign.” Good signage is integrated into the design of the whole business. It should coordinate with your logo and general […]
Chicago Building Types: Worker Cottage
The building types of Chicago form the city around us. Today, how the Worker Cottage formed the back bone of 19th century urban growth.
Feel Warm Even While You Save Energy This Winter
Don’t despair: you can stay warm this winter even while you save energy. Here’s the secret formula!
Dill Pickle Food Coop Expansion: Neighborhood Night & Community Input Session
Thursday was the community input session for Dill Pickle’s new expansion. If you missed it, here’s your chance to contribute!
Furniture Feature: Willow Springs Live Edge Table
Our trusty office cat, Bosco, helps us model the Willow Springs Live Edge Table. This solid and beautiful piece of furniture is the centerpiece of our office meeting area and does double duty as a model of one of our favorite custom furniture pieces available for sale through our Etsy shop or in person through […]
2016 Chicago Recycling Rules: UPDATED JANUARY 2016
There are new (and tighter) 2016 Chicago Recycling guidelines debuting this week. The city has announced that its planning to slap orange REJECT stickers on blue bins that violate the new regs – especially if they contain items in plastic bags – so read up on the new rules to ensure that your recycling makes […]
Year in Review: Moss Projects of 2015
Its hard to believe that 2015 has come to a close already. Here is a rundown of all the great moss projects that wrapped up construction – and started being used for their new purposes – in the last year. Keep reading to check out two new restaurants, a brewery taproom, an optometrist’s office, a […]