Materials
Loft Nearing Completion
The de-apartmentizing sequence is almost complete. The space will fully revert back to loft status in a couple of weeks. Construction photos inside.
Curried
Our new Downtown restaurant has just entered the permitting process at City Hall. The existing structure has been incorporated into the interior design with exposed masonry wall, sloped concreted ceiling, and sealed concrete floor. That will be contrasted with reclaimed wood, exposed ductwork, and lighting placement. Construction is expected to begin in early February. More […]
Erie Street Loft
Our plans to remodel a two-story loft in River North are shaping up and construction is slated to start in a couple of weeks. The design scheme reintroduces a loft design aesthetic to the existing ‘apartmentized’ layout. The project is designed to utilize reclaimed materials and finishes, LED light fixtures, and an edible roof terrace […]
Byron Driveway Farm
We have an unused driveway in front of our office that only gets used occasionally to load and unload materials. It is pretty useless. After recent water main work under our street the City even repoured the driveway that they tore up to install a new sidewalk ramp. As part of our reclamation of the […]
Reclaimed Elm 100-Mile Conference Table
Designed and fabricated by moss, our new conference table is constructed of materials sourced from within 150 miles of Chicago (150-mile table didn’t have as nice of a ring). All over the world trees are being felled to clear space for agriculture and produce all kinds of wood and paper products. As recent as 2005, […]
Filter Reopens as LEED Gold, Wicker Park Elevated Back to Bohemian Status
I am very happy to confirm that Filter is open for business! We have been working with Jeff, the owner, to open this new space since the old Filter closed in 2007. It has been a long, arduous journey but we are very happy to have Jeff open. Filter was an old hangout for me […]
Dill Pickle, days away (UPDATE 11/20)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozq_f6HAzNo] The shelves are being stocked and final inspection is mere days away (see update below). Good food coming to Chicago soon NOW! UPDATE: We have passed our final building inspection!!! Opening imminent! Celebration ensues.
Fresh Sushi, Reclaimed Barnwood
Resurrected from an existing Chinese restaurant, Zen Sushi will soon has opened its doors at 714 West Diversey Parkway in Lincoln Park. We have created three distinct dining zones in the space that are all connected by sustainable building materials and energy efficient lighting. All wood wall and ceiling finishes have been reclaimed from a […]
Brick Veneer is Wasteful, The Gingerbread House of Architecture
After passing the third new construction, four-story, brick condo building on just one block this afternoon, I commented to my friend that we have to stop using brick veneers in Chicago. It partially made sense when we used it for structure to hold up the floor and roof above (or to an extreme example seventeen floors […]
Case Study: Desert Straw Bale Homes
Straw bale homes could start a revolution.
Straw bale construction: There is no away
So, the name of the blog. Straw bale construction is nothing new and, no, they are not to be confused with hay. Straw is the dried stalk of a cereal plant after the grain has been removed, an agricultural by-product. They typically clutter the ubiquitous landscape of the rural world and are usually burned by […]