The latest residential renovation project in the queue is a Victorian house in the charming Ravenswood neighborhood. The design incorporates ample natural light and outdoor living by connecting a rear addition to the backyard while maintaining the Victorian form’s scale on the street-facing side. We included a dedicated dog lobby within the modern stucco addition to cater to the owners’ pets. In addition, we are converting the current garage into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to make the most of the expansive, double-wide lot.




Expanded Living Space & Yard Connection
Our client wanted to upgrade their home by adding a primary suite, expanding the kitchen and family room, converting the basement, and modernizing the interior layout. The complete gut renovation involves removing two unfortunate rear additions and constructing a second story main suite with a gym, pouring a new concrete patio, and extending the living area to create an integrated kitchen, dining, and living space — all at grade, forming a bridge between the indoors to the backyard.
The earlier rear additions tacked onto the house during a remodel lack historical significance and disrupt the connection between the living areas and the backyard. To address this, we plan to preserve the front portion of the house, eliminate the rear appendage, and install a steel-framed addition. By incorporating steel beams and columns into the rear addition, we create a solid structural support system. This not only enables larger window openings but also creates overhangs that serve both as passive cooling and protection from the rain.



The main suite in the modern stucco wing will transform into a luxurious oasis, featuring an en suite bathroom, a designated area for a home gym, and a strategically located laundry room for maximum convenience. Expansive windows will provide views of the backyard and rear terrace, bathing the space in natural light. Recognizing that basement laundry rooms can be gloomy; we advise clients to opt for a more cheerful laundry spot — a light-filled space closer to the closets. In line with enhancing doggo functionality for our clients’ furry friends, we’ve designed a mud room with a dog-friendly lobby, easily accessible from the rear porch.
Chef-Worthy Kitchen
The renovation takes the cordoned-off kitchen and opens it up to the sunken family room with a wood stove and radiant heat floors, making it a more welcoming gathering space. Given our clients’ passion for cooking and entertaining, we designed an oversized centerpiece island, which we dubbed the Megatron island. Its expansive countertop offers plenty of room for prepping dishes and doubles as a casual dining area.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the butler’s pantry, acting as a transitional space linking the kitchen to the backyard. This versatile nook serves multiple functions: storage, additional prep space, and a designated coffee bar or wine storage space. This design element frees up valuable kitchen counter real estate. To preserve a cohesive design aesthetic throughout the house, we’re replicating custom millwork from the kitchen in other parts of the house.
Mud Room & Dog Lobby
The dedicated mud room, located off the kitchen, creates a buffer between the outdoors and the inside of the home. With storage for coats, shoes, and everyday essentials, it keeps the outdoor mess away from the cozy inside vibes. The mud room includes a dog lobby—designed to cater to the doggo family members. There’s comfy seating, spots to stash all their gear and outfits, and a quick route to the backyard. We’re all about pampering pets and making good boys feel special with their own modern designed room — minus an Eames chair.


Pictured are massing sketches of the modern stucco addition we presented to our clients during the schematic design phase. The final design is the combination of all the best elements.


Retro Basement Guest Suite
Let’s talk basements – usually dank, underutilized spaces filled with dilapidated gym equipment and stacks of storage boxes. Recognizing the untapped potential of the unfinished basement, we decided to relocate the uninspiring laundry room to the main level. By doing so, we’ll convert the neglected basement into a cozy retreat with a private guest suite. With radiant floor heating, the space will stay toasty, while a retro bar with a disco ball adds some flair — making it another perfect entertaining space.
Radiant floor heating appeals to us for several reasons. First and foremost, we value its superior comfort, as it radiates heat close to people. Unlike forced air heating systems, it circumvents air circulation, minimizing the risk of triggering allergies among occupants. Moreover, by reducing duct losses, radiant floor heating can surpass the efficiency of comparable heating methods, possibly leading to a decrease or elimination of wasted energy.
Sun, Snow & Stucco
In our quest to modernize the front exterior of the old house, we’re removing the Victorian-era front porch. In its place, we’re installing a minimal, functional covered porch sans the dated columns and ornamental characteristics that weren’t part of the building’s original design. This transformation connects the interior to the outdoors, giving the house a more contemporary look while maintaining a respectful balance with the surrounding neighborhood.
Are you tired of shoveling snow? You’re not alone. Although Chicago is known for our harsh winters and entertaining DIBs tradition, shoveling does not rank high on the fun meter. To minimize the back-breaking chore, we have installed an electrically heated mat system to melt the snow on the entrance stairs and along the sidewalks around the building. With embedded tubing underneath the concrete, snowmelt systems thaw snow and ice by circulating a glycol solution through the tubing.
Dealing with century-old structures presents several challenges, and this building was no exception- it has several layers of overlapping siding and isn’t insulated. To address this, we’re removing the outer vinyl sheets and asphalt shingle siding to create a cavity where spray foam insulation can be applied. Following this, we sealed the walls with a proper air and water barrier and rigid continuous insulation. Given the number of walls needing coverage, we looked at several exterior finish materials that would add texture. Consequently, we’ve specified a Chicago-hearty, modern stucco, which is durable and budget-friendly. To top it all off (literally), we are installing solar panels on the rear flat roof section of the building.
Accessory Dwelling Unit: Multifunctional Space for Living
There’s been an uptick in the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units thanks to the ADU ordinance approved by the City in 2020. The project’s location is within the ADU pilot zone boundaries, and our clients want to replace the existing garage with a livable, secondary space. We designed an ADU structure that respects the privacy of the main house’s backyard and integrates with it aesthetically.
The renderings below are the starting point, with the final materials yet to be decided once the modern stucco addition is complete.


Renovation Construction & Historic Photos





