Brickyard

The most distinctive design element is a perforated brick screen wall at the front that creates a layer of privacy between the home and city street while allowing light to pass through. We designed a custom brick, tapered on one side, that creates beautiful shadows and a sense of softness and movement on the facade as the sun moves across the sky.

 

The luxurious, velvety texture of the midnight black screen wall surprises observers accustomed to perceiving brick as hard and structural. This innovative design contrasts artfully with other exterior materials, including glass and exposed steel, which evoke a modern industrial aesthetic.

 

We scaled the structure to be respectful of the neighborhood and used materials that relate to Chicago’s urban landscape. The footprint of the home is L-shaped, defining an open plan sanctuary in the heart of city and sheltering a yard designed for the enjoyment of the entire family.

 

The home employs passive solar design, making it energy-efficient while promoting a sense of wellbeing that comes from a constant connection to nature. Sustainability measures include state-of-the-art solar panels, a green roof, and a Tesla Powerwall.