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Urban Renovation (Foster Dale Architects) Created from composite materials, the deck gives this modern home a desirable outdoor space in a crowded city lot.
Urban Renovation (Foster Dale Architects) Created from composite materials, the deck gives this modern home a desirable outdoor space in a crowded city lot.
Chicago Net Positive Home (Kipnis Architecture + Planning) Architect Nathan Kipnis’ plans utilized super-tight construction, skylights, and carefully calibrated air flow to increase natural light and ventilation while lowering energy usage. Landscape designer Julia Bunn enlivened the 400-square-foot roof with a green rooftop garden.
Chicago Net Positive Home (Kipnis Architecture + Planning) Architect Nathan Kipnis’ plans utilized super-tight construction, skylights, and carefully calibrated air flow to increase natural light and ventilation while lowering energy usage. Landscape designer Julia Bunn enlivened the 400-square-foot roof with a green rooftop garden.
Chicago Net Positive Home (Kipnis Architecture + Planning) Built for the owners of Uncommon Ground—a pair of cafés, one of which boasts an organic rooftop garden—this 2,900-square-foot home boasts an array of sustainable design features, from custom cabinetry made from insect-damaged wood to a treehouse-style study wrapped in reclaimed barn wood.
Chicago Net Positive Home (Kipnis Architecture + Planning) Built for the owners of Uncommon Ground—a pair of cafés, one of which boasts an organic rooftop garden—this 2,900-square-foot home boasts an array of sustainable design features, from custom cabinetry made from insect-damaged wood to a treehouse-style study wrapped in reclaimed barn wood.
The three-bedroom home wraps around the atrium between the garage and main building. Since the garage faces the alley, this orientation opens up the front yard and garden. The big sliding doors off the atrium help the home connect with the community, supporting sidewalk interactions. "The idea was to draw the space back out to the neighborhood," he says, "and create different levels of security and privacy."
The three-bedroom home wraps around the atrium between the garage and main building. Since the garage faces the alley, this orientation opens up the front yard and garden. The big sliding doors off the atrium help the home connect with the community, supporting sidewalk interactions. "The idea was to draw the space back out to the neighborhood," he says, "and create different levels of security and privacy."
Shelton's team also made sure sustainability went hand-in-hand with affordability. The rainscreen double-wall system with Hardie Panels and the corrugated metal roof reflect sunlight and provide a less expensive, less maintence-intensive house, while strategically placed windows aid cross-ventilation and help cool the home during the humid summer months. The sloped roofs also empty into a rainwater collection system that feeds into the garden.
Shelton's team also made sure sustainability went hand-in-hand with affordability. The rainscreen double-wall system with Hardie Panels and the corrugated metal roof reflect sunlight and provide a less expensive, less maintence-intensive house, while strategically placed windows aid cross-ventilation and help cool the home during the humid summer months. The sloped roofs also empty into a rainwater collection system that feeds into the garden.
El Dorado designed the interior of the ADA-compliant home with accessibility and ease of use in mind, with simple layouts and enhanced cross-ventilation.
El Dorado designed the interior of the ADA-compliant home with accessibility and ease of use in mind, with simple layouts and enhanced cross-ventilation.
Shelton was impressed with the way the organization opened up the volunteer labor force to new material exploration and alternative construction methods. "I was blown away by Heartland Habitat's willingness to try something new, especially when they have a model that’s not broken," he says.
Shelton was impressed with the way the organization opened up the volunteer labor force to new material exploration and alternative construction methods. "I was blown away by Heartland Habitat's willingness to try something new, especially when they have a model that’s not broken," he says.
Shelton looks at the finished results as more of a spec home of sorts, with lessons that can be applied to future projects. "I really appreciate the midcentury California and Eichler homes, and the attention they took to indoor and outdoor flow," he says. "It’s important in this context. The first thing that happens is people mount a satellite dish and then shut down."
Shelton looks at the finished results as more of a spec home of sorts, with lessons that can be applied to future projects. "I really appreciate the midcentury California and Eichler homes, and the attention they took to indoor and outdoor flow," he says. "It’s important in this context. The first thing that happens is people mount a satellite dish and then shut down."
Architect Josh Shelton said some of the midcentury influence that shaped the Heartland Habitat prototype in Kansas City came from a previous project, his own home, which featured slotted doors and an entry courtyard. The overall design rests on the idea of the outdoors as a social gathering space. "I've been fascinated with how you can extend the climate of a place like Kansas City into the domestic space," says Shelton. "You don’t see a lot of homes like this built in the city. Ventilation and circulation can really open up the home and add a few more months of not using air conditioning or heating."
Architect Josh Shelton said some of the midcentury influence that shaped the Heartland Habitat prototype in Kansas City came from a previous project, his own home, which featured slotted doors and an entry courtyard. The overall design rests on the idea of the outdoors as a social gathering space. "I've been fascinated with how you can extend the climate of a place like Kansas City into the domestic space," says Shelton. "You don’t see a lot of homes like this built in the city. Ventilation and circulation can really open up the home and add a few more months of not using air conditioning or heating."
Starbucks Drive-Thru (Chicago, Illinois) This demi-sized, 700-square-foot coffee shop in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood is one of a growing number of modular experiments from the big chain. This LEED-certified structure is hopefully a play towards better building practices as opposed to a means to plop a store on any available space.
Starbucks Drive-Thru (Chicago, Illinois) This demi-sized, 700-square-foot coffee shop in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood is one of a growing number of modular experiments from the big chain. This LEED-certified structure is hopefully a play towards better building practices as opposed to a means to plop a store on any available space.