Fifty-foot-wide lots rarely appear in Chicago and most urban areas, making them a valuable find. Unfortunately, some homes fail to utilize their full potential in that extra space. At our Ravenswood charred wood and glass project, an early-aughts addition disrupted the home’s natural flow, severing its connection to the backyard and side garden.
Our client sought a home that fully integrated with the outdoors and harmonized with its surroundings. They envisioned usable outdoor space, an outdoor kitchen, and room for large family gatherings. We removed the poorly designed addition and created a new split-level family room, kitchen, and dining room—perfect for entertaining.
Split Level Charred Wood & Glass Addition
Like some other notable moss projects, Wine Enthusiast Retreat and the Cedar House Among the Trees, the client’s desire for a space for entertainment led us to a familiar split-level design concept. We designed the addition as a slab-on-grade structure, creating space for a family room and mudroom with ample storage for the vast array of sports equipment common in today’s athletic world. We set this new space four feet below the adjacent kitchen and dining room, creating a flow between levels. The arrangement provides extra ceiling height to the family room with the associated tall glass walls, allowing light to penetrate deep into the interior of the floor plan (a common problem with Victorian architecture). The change in floor elevation makes for easy conversation between the family in the kitchen and the family room.
We frequently used charred wood siding, known as Shou Sugi Ban, in our designs. In this project, charred wood wraps the new addition, effectively blending with the black-frame design of the doors and windows. Unlike less refined construction methods that simply glue siding to the building envelope, our approach utilizes furring strips to keep the wood away from the exterior weather barrier. Typically referred to as a ‘rainscreen,’ this design detail allows moisture to drain safely behind the charred wood, preventing damage and ensuring durability.
All photos courtesy of Tony Soluri Photography
Bringing the Outside In with a Folding Glass NanaWall
Dissolving the boundary between the interior family room and exterior terrace is achieved with a 14′ wide x 7′ tall folding glass NanaWall that completely folds away, nesting in the corner of the space, out of the way of circulation paths and furniture arrangements. The design blurs the distinction between inside and outside spaces, allowing larger family gatherings to spill easily onto the terrace and outside kitchen, effectively doubling the size of the family room.
In our Midwest climate, an insect screen is a necessity, and its requirements and limitations must be factored into the design of the sliding door system. To address this, our design detail creates a pocket for the Phantom insect screen to hide while not in use and be easily deployed when needed. Between all these small design decisions lies the larger structural framework required to create such a large door opening in the first place. To achieve this, we coordinate with our structural engineer, door supplier, and insect screen fabricator to ensure that this detail comes together, allowing the crew to easily construct it at the job site.
Examples of schematic design and massing option sketches were developed early on in the design phase.
Victorian Elegance Meets Modern Minimalism: A Charred Wood & Glass Transformation
A common dilemma is that an older, often 100-year-old original structure needs updating or removal of previous additions. How does the old interface work with the new? We prefer to let the new spaces be perceived as new and simply clean up the vintage portion. Especially important for this project was maintaining the landmark property tax status. How can we enhance the safety and address code deficiencies of a vintage structure while preserving its historically significant details? We ran into this head-on right as you walked in the front door. The intricately built interior wood stairs needed repair to improve safety, and the stained glass window needed repair.
Our design solution replaced the Newell post, fixed worn-out pickets in the railing system, and maintained the stained glass window. The front parlor, foyer, and fireplaces were maintained and restored. The blending between the older front parts of the structure and modern rear portions happens in the circulation space. The placement of reclaimed interior doors, lighting, and artwork subtly implies it.
Approaching from outside the home, the front facade appears as it did 100 years ago. You only get a peek of the charred wood and glass addition when you walk down the side yard. This glimpse hints at the modern addition that marks the north end of the new family room. Rounding the corner to the rear terrace is where you fully experience the expanse of glass. Here, you’re fully immersed in the outdoor kitchen, with a connection to the tree-lined yard and terrace.
Modern Luxury Kitchen Design With Custom Bronze Exhaust Hood
An artisan-made bronze hood anchors the kitchen’s design, drawing attention over the cooktop. In contrast, the custom range stands out against off-white lacquer cabinets, but the space isn’t purely monochrome. Thoughtful design details add contrast, breaking up the white backdrop. Quartz countertops and a matching backsplash pair with the bronze faucet and plumbing fixtures. As a final touch, a custom bronze band wraps the island, separating it from the cabinets and tying it in with the bronze accents.
The renovated primary en suite bathroom with the existing conditions pictured below
Charred Wood and Glass Addition: Existing & Construction Photos
