role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: institutional / adaptive re-use

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Daylight Studio, Architecture | Enspect Engineering, Structural Engineering | EVA Design & Engineering, Civil Engineering | McCallum Associates, Landscape Design | Build Corps, General Contractor

about: this conversion of a former car repair shop and warehouse to a black box theater was imagined as a relatively accessible alternative to a small neighborhood institution's main theater. See also Edge Theater w/Peter Eric Siegal, to which this theater was annexed. The annex’s lobby was envisioned as a lateral extension of the street.

role: design architect

client: private

project type: single family residence / new construction

location: Miller Beach / Gary, Indiana

collaborators include: Peter Eric Siegal, Structural Design | Lee Companies, Architect of Record & General Contractor

about: maintaining the immediacy of the dunes and lake for resident, guest and neighbor was paramount with this gazebo and shed replacement. The site’s existing cottage was maintained as a guest house.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Studio CM, Interior Design | Peter Eric Siegal, Structural & MEP Design | InBalance, General Contractor

about: a single continuous space from the front entry to the rear elevated garden was envisioned for this renovation of an existing Lincoln Park residence from the late 90’s. Primary living and the occasional large gathering can be easily accommodated by varying the furniture type and location. A secondary, relatively protected path between a garage and basement bike storage and mud room was also a driver.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / kitchen addition + renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Peter Eric Siegal, Structural & MEP Design | S. N. Peck, Builder, General Contractor

about: improving the functionality of an existing kitchen and engaging the space of a back yard were paramount with this kitchen renovation and small rear addition to a row house along Hyde Park’s historic Professors Row.

role: associate architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: Draper Street Properties

project type: single family residential / conversion

collaborators include: Peter Eric Siegal, Lead Architect & Architect of Record | Forum Design Build, General Contractor | VHT Studios, Photography

about: relative aesthetic neutrality and flexibility drove this speculative single family conversion of a classic Chicago two-flat located on an eclectic street with atypical access to natural light and views to an adjacent play lot.

role: associate architect, schematic design through construction documents

client: private

project type: institutional / adaptive re-use

collaborators include: Peter Eric Siegal, Lead Architect & Architect of Record | Moshe Calamaro & Associates, Structural Design | Building Engineering Systems, MEP Design | Build Corps, General Contractor

about: this small theater was envisioned as the permanent home of a local theater company, a venue for visiting theater company’s and a gathering place for other neighborhood organizations. See also Edge Theater Annex for its expansion.

role: architect, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / new construction

location: Des Plaines, Illinois

about: schematic exploration of a large home with a diminutive presence and contextual aesthetic for a retiring couple and their mother

role: architect, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / front porch restoration

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Edgewater Woodwork, Design & Construction

about: a commission for the design of a new porch became a restoration project upon the discovery of the surviving components of this homes original porch.

role: architect, schematic design through construction documents

client: private

project type: single family residence / guest bath renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Vertex Properties, General Contractor

about: study for the renovation of a guest bath in a contemporary residence

role: architect, schematic design (alternates 1 & 2)

client: private

project type: single family residence / addition (back porch/entry/storage)

location: Evanston, Illinois

about: these traditional and contemporary studies for a replacement storage shed and secondary entry to this single family residence for a family of three sought to provide a visual connection to the yard from the adjacent kitchen. The shed would continue to serve its primary purpose of accommodating the family’s extensive collection of circus equipment.

role: architect, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / back porch + hot tube addition

location: Glenview, Illinois

about: study for an outdoor living room

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

project type: single family residence / new construction

location: Glenview, Illinois

collaborators include: Peter Eric Siegal, Structural & MEP Design | Chamberlain Masse Engineering, Civil Engineering | Integrity Construction Consulting, General Contractor | Maria Larios, Landscape Design & Installation

about: the design of this new home for a young family of five with three children focused on the common areas of the home, inside and out. The placement and relative size of these areas are intended to encourage and facilitate time spent together.

role: architect, design development through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / renovation

location: Glencoe, Illinois

collaborators include: Pam Maher Design Services, Interior Design | Celeste Robbins, Schematic Design | Enspect Engineering, Structural Design | Schmidt Haegeland Builders, General Contractor

about: this complete interior and exterior renovation of a Greta Lederer designed home (c.1950) was made more generous, spatially and programmatically with a new central/open stair which facilitated the integration of a newly finished basement and exterior terrace with the new open plan of the kitchen, living room and library on the main/entry level of this home for a family of four with two children.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residential / garage and rear yard improvements

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: The Discovery Builders, General Contractor

about: durable, low maintenance easily observed and accessed outdoor recreational spaces for a busy young family of five with three children was the motivation for this garage replacement project.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: condominium / renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: R. Perlman Designs, Interior Design | American Contractors & Associates, General Contractor

about: the directive for this renovation of a one bedroom unit in Chicago’s Skybridge high-rise condominium for a young individual was to maximize economy.

role: architect, schematic design through construction documents

client: private

project type: single family residence / interior renovation

location: Cincinnati, Ohio

about: these studies for alterations to an old Cincinnati mansion were assembled to provide minimal direction and facilitate the work to be self-performed by the home’s owners, a young family of four with two children.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / attic addition and master bedroom renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: JG Design Group, Interior Design | Ronan Brothers Construction, General Contractor

about: two alternatives were considered for this two story Chicago residence. One addressed the need for an additional bath; the other addressed this as well as the need for improved and "public" access to the attic. The second alternative was chosen after preliminary pricing confirmed its economy.

role: architect, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / gut rehabilitation + conversion

location: Chicago, Illinois

about: study for a narrow house with a basement apartment and 3rd floor guest suite

role: architect, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / addition + kitchen renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Carpenter's Millwork, Cabinetry

about: this 450 SF addition and renovation of a Lincoln Park townhouse reconsiders its kitchen, dining, study and garden/courtyard. The project extends the kitchen into the back yard and locates a breakfast/dining area overlooking an existing garden and courtyard. Circulation from the garage is redirected around the kitchen to a new mud/coatroom defined by a millwork installation and stone floor.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: Chicago Center for Integration & Healing

project type: commercial / renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Threshold Acoustics, Sound Mitigation Design | Amenities Home Design, Interior Design | Svabo Bisevac, General Contractor

about: this 2,400 SF build-out of a one story loft is the new home for a new psycho-therapy practice. Offices are located at the perimeter about a central gathering space. Acoustical privacy, access to natural light, the preservation of the loft aesthetic and an economy of means were of primary concern. The project was designed and constructed on a fast-track basis.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: condominium / renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: R. Perlman Designs, Interior Design | Luminaire, Kitchen Design | Toland's Decorating Services, Construction

about: this renovation of a 1,400 SF corner condominium overlooking Chicago's North Avenue Beach was led by R. Perlman Designs with a kitchen installation by Luminaire. DHA assisted with it's envisioning, detailing, lighting and construction administration. The space was made more expansive by eliminating the existing kitchen walls, the installation of translucent doors at all closets, the elimination of door heads and opening the second bedroom into the living room. Privacy for the reconfigured office/guest room is maintained with the installation of two sliding custom wood doors.

role: architect, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / front porch addition

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Pryor Construction, General Contractor

about: the directive for this tiny addition was to keep it simple.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / kitchen renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Marie-Pierre Mc Auliffe, Interior Design | Plomin Construction, General Contractor | Studio Thomas, Photography

about: this rehabilitation of the kitchen of an historic landmark residence (Gauler Twin Houses, 1908) by the architect Walter Burley Griffen was designed with the intent to establish spatial and aesthetic continuity with the existing Prairie School architecture. Without modification to the existing enclosure, counter and workspace were maximized with the use of integrated appliances.  The running trim and cabinetry were constructed of rift sawn red oak for it's economy and similarity to the white oak typically found in a residence of this vintage and aesthetic. A light finish was selected for the red oak floor with the intent to brighten the room and compliment the cabinetry. An Italian granite countertop was selected for it's natural beauty as well as its ability to withstand the demands of what will be a busy kitchen.  A complementary crackle cream ceramic tile backsplash was selected for its visual depth, utility and historical precedent.

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / back porch replacement

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Mike Holzman, Construction | Studio Thomas, Photography

about: intended to accommodate large gatherings with pergola for shade on upper deck and roof at entry. Vertical surfaces finished to match existing residence; decking stained for longevity and low maintenance.

role: project architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / new construction

location: Lakeside Township, Michigan

collaborators include: Enspect Engineering, Structural Engineering | Green Valley Plants, Landscape Design & Installation | Burlingame Builders, General Contractor | Christopher Barrett, Photography

about: the desire of a Chicago family of six for this summer home on Lake Michigan was to achieve a timeless aesthetic that drew from their memories of classic New England shore homes while maintaining an open floor plan in the public spaces to accommodate a fluid lifestyle. From the open kitchen, the heart of this residence, it is possible to take-in most of the activity of the first floor with views to the pool, yard and lake. Family bedrooms are located off a shared open corridor on the second floor and each bedroom has its own large bank of windows. The Master and Guest bedrooms have cathedral ceilings and a balcony to maximize access to natural light with private views to the lake and landscape. The exterior materials include limestone, cedar and lead coated copper, selected for their longevity and low maintenance characteristics as well as their beauty. The interior materials include hand scraped oak floors, stone, tile and pine siding, selected for their durability and capacity to endure years of use gracefully.

role: project architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / new construction

location: Covert Township, Michigan

collaborators include: Enspect Engineering, Structural Engineering | Midwestern Engineering, MEP Engineering | IBC Engineering, Renewable Energy Design | Green Mansions, Landscape Design & Installation | Lakeshore Enterprises, General Contractor |Christopher Barrett, Photography

about: designed as a year-round retreat for a Chicago family of six, the residence bridges a valley between two dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan. Siting of the structure was determined in large part by constraints as set forth by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality with its intent of protecting the dunes and construction amongst them. The family's desire was for a building that would immerse them in the landscape with expansive views of both the lake and land while inside and out. The exterior materials consisting of Ipe, copper, weathering and stainless steel were selected for their longevity and low maintenance characteristics as well as their beauty. The interior is similarly durable and low maintenance with its use of pine siding, Ipe, basalt and cork flooring, basalt countertops and translucent glass shower enclosures. The interior is conditioned with a geo and solar thermal heating and cooling system. Provisions have been made to accommodate a future wind turbine for power generation. The living and dining rooms are on the first floor with bedrooms and a family room on the second. A separate guest quarter is provided above the garage to the north. The boardwalk, which connects the two, extends south to the screen porch and beach path beyond.

role: architect, schematic design through construction documents

client: private

project type: single family residence / kitchen renovation

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Mike Holzman, Carpenter | Studio Thomas, Photography

about: gut rehabilitation with re-configuration of plan and provision of cased opening to enable convenient use of dining room.

role: intern architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / restoration + addition

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Soucie Horner, Interior Design | Peter Lindsay Schaudt Landscape Architects, Landscape Design | J + M Construction & South Chicago Workforce, General Contractor | Studio Thomas, Photography

about: this restoration and adaptation of a 1902 Hyde Park residence by architect Hugh Garden with Richard Schmidt for a family of five was originally known as the Frankenthal House. Though the exterior form and details throughout are of the Georgian Revival style, Garden's Prairie School influence is apparent in the interior planning of the first floor with its open and continuous public spaces that maximize daylight, views and connection to the exterior porches and gardens. It is with a similar spirit that the interior renovations were conceived. The original service kitchen, butler's pantry and servant's dining room were combined to create a new open kitchen, breakfast and family room with an adjacent mudroom to accommodate a contemporary lifestyle. The existing finish carpentry and millwork were either restored or replaced, as were most plumbing and electrical fixtures. In specific cases such as the living room mantel and dining room ceiling, missing elements were re-created in the spirit of the originals. The interior palette of light colored walls, painted and natural finish trim and millwork keep the interior open and bright. The project included a full exterior restoration.

recognition: 2009 Marian & Leon Despres Preservation Award

role: architect, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / front porch replacement

location: Chicago, Illinois

collaborators include: Highlander Construction, Construction | Studio Thomas, Photography

about: intended to extend the homes main living area. In summer, with screens installed, the interior windows and entry door remain open. In winter, with glass installed the tempered space of the porch serves as a vestibule.

role: intern / project architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: landscape element

location: Benton Harbor, Michigan

collaborators include: Enspect Engineering, Structural Engineering | Lakeshore Enterprises, General Contractor | Hedrich Blessing (Steve Hall), Photography

about: on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, a path consisting of 100 - 3' x 8' pallets was designed to traverse the 100' vertical by 100' horizontal distance between a proposed residence (see also, rocky gap residence) at the top of the bluff and the beach below. In following the existing topography the path becomes part of the landscape. Each pallet, assembled off site with pressure treated southern yellow pine and cumaru, is supported by a 3" diameter galvanized post and modified clamp. With minimal imposition on the landscape, the path is intended to accommodate the continued movement over time of the inherently unstable bluff without catastrophic failure. The lightweight wood assembly provided flexibility in the field to adjust to site specific conditions. The cumaru was left unfinished to minimize maintenance and allow the path to become less conspicuous and continue to recede into the landscape as it weathers.

role: intern architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects, schematic design

client: private

project type: single family residence / new construction

location: Benton Harbor, Michigan

about: this project, a residence design near the edge of a 100' bluff on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan for a Chicago family of five is intended to immerse its inhabitants in the landscape of woods and lake. The primary entrance to the residence is made through a wooded courtyard and a portal which frames a view to the lake.  Wings to the south and north accommodate an indoor lap pool, family room, garage and guest quarters. A "bridge" between the two, contains the bedrooms with the living, dining room and kitchen below.

role: intern architect / designer

client: University of North Texas

project type: parking garage

location: Fort Worth, TX

collaborators include: Summit Consultants, MEP Engineering

about: in addition to accommodating 800+ cars for the University of North Texas Health Science Center, this 275,000 SF cast-in-place concrete garage with pre-cast concrete facade attempts to make “place” by becoming the primary organizing element for this potential urban campus. Set on a hillside in place of several surface parking lots, the building accommodates both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. A rooftop lawn serves as a campus quadrangle and a new plaza and stair tower at Camp Bowie Boulevard serve as the campus entry and provide connection to the adjacent cultural district with which it shares parking.

recognition: Forth Worth AIA Merit Award 2003

role: intern/project architect at Gideon Toal, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / pool + cabana addition

location: Fort Worth, Texas

collaborators include: Bettis Construction, General Contractor | Robert Gries, Photography

about: this addition for a Fort Worth family consists of 2,300 SF of terraces and pavilions along with a 1,200 SF pool. The new construction maintains the desired view to the yard and provides access from the existing residence and courtyard. The addition's form and spaces, though contemporary, are intended to be complimentary of the residence's traditional aesthetic.

role: intern architect / designer

client: Granbury First United Methodist Church

project type: campus addition and alterations

location: Granbury, TX

about: adjacent the city of Granbury's historic town square, the schematic design of this project consisted of a 27,000 SF addition to the town's First United Methodist Church. The addition was intended to replace an abandoned sanctuary and support facility. New construction was to accommodate reception, additional administration facilities, classrooms and a 900 seat sanctuary.

role: intern/project architect at Gideon Toal, schematic design through construction administration

client: private

project type: single family residence / pool + pool house addition

location: Fort Worth, Texas

collaborators include: Bettis Construction, General Contractor | Robert Gries, Photography

about: this addition for a Fort Worth family consists of a 900 SF pool house, pool and landscape which attempt to extend the space of an existing residence from the late 1960's and define the space of its yard. The new construction is understood as a conclusion of sorts to a mature but incomplete story. Its form and spaces, which consist of a sitting area, bar, study and bath are intended to match those of the original residence precisely.

recognition: Fort Worth AIA Merit Award 2001, Forth Worth Star Telegram "The Bigger Question," May 26 2001

role: intern/project architect at Gideon Toal, schematic design through construction administration

client: Fort Worth YMCA / Camp Carter

project type: institutional / new construction

location: Fort Worth, Texas

collaborators include: Fisher Pearson, General Contractor | Robert Gries, Photography

about: set on a small lake on the outskirts of Forth Worth, Texas, the retreat center for the YMCA's Camp Carter is, among other things, a movie house, studio and supplemental cafeteria for its young campers. It is also used as a fund raiser and made available to the public for activities such as conferences, wedding receptions and reunions. The materials were selected for their durability and, where appropriate, left unfinished to minimize their expense. The building's plan was kept simple to reduce surface area and its embedded expense. With views from the main hall to the lake paramount, supporting activities and infrastructure were placed on the land side perimeter of the building.

recognition: Forth Worth AIA Citation Award 2000

role: intern/project architect at Ibanez Architecture

client: private

project type: single family residence / addition

location: Dallas , Texas

collaborators include: Jackie Jackson, Interior Design | Jack Hastin, Structural Engineering | Dall Brown, Lighting Design | Jeff Smith, Stained Glass | Nix Construction, General Contractor | Robert Gries, Photography

about: the owners of this existing brick cottage in Dallas's Highland Park neighborhood desired an addition for the purpose of accommodating an expanding collection of paintings, drawings, photographs and sculpture. Though nearly doubling the size of the existing residence, the owner's desire was to keep the addition relatively discreet from the street such that the house would remain contextual. Thus the addition and its accompanying garden and garage were kept to the rear of the property. In the process, the existing master bedroom was relocated to the second level with the former space transformed into a double height library. The cottage’s existing spaces, though discrete, already provided for views to adjacent rooms and fluid movement. The intent of the addition was to build and expand on this idea of spatial continuity, keeping the transition from new to old subtle and gradual. The interior materials were chosen with this in mind. The intent of the exterior palette and aesthetic was to make distinct and unambiguous from the exterior, the interior’s transformation. Acknowledging that the primary access to/from the residence was to be between the garage and kitchen, the rear of the residence was thought of as a front.

recognition: Forth Worth Star Telegram "The Bigger Question," May 26 2001

role: intern architect / designer

client: TXDOT

project type: interstate landscape

location: Lubbock, TX

recognition: Fort Worth AIA Honor Award 1998

about: requests for “gateways” seem common these days as our ever-evolving mobile society struggles to maintain the notion of community despite its accelerated pursuit of privacy and security. Today a city often equates its conceptual and physical limits and understands them to be the site of the latest power center, its gateway a freeway interchange. Given the charge of reinforcing two such understood gateways and the decoration of a freeway in Lubbock, Texas, the response was twofold. First, to interpret “gateway” as threshold, one of several at the city’s expanding edge eventually left as evidence, similar to tree rings, of its horizontal growth. Second, to establish a context in which the inherent formal beauty of the freeway interchange could be appreciated without superfluous decoration. Said objectives were pursued via the re-composistion of low-maintenance, relatively inexpensive indigenous elements at a scale perceptible to the high speed motorist. These consist of metal drill stem, typically arrayed on 30’ centers at a constant elevation not exceeding 30’ and ground cover planted in mass. Parkways with trees, sidewalks and lighted bollards are deployed in those few areas of the project that must potentially accommodate the cyclist or pedestrian.

role: intern architect / designer

client: Colonial Country Club

project type: event design

location: Forth Worth, TX

about: excerpts from Fort Worth’s Colonial Country Club proposal for hosting the 2003 Ryder Cup. The design of “Ryder Cup Village” to host players and media along with the incumbent modifications to existing circulation to/from the golf course and downtown were considered.

role: intern architect, schematic design through construction

project type: landscape element

about: designed in a day's charrette and built over several with the assistance of several, this construct and 1st Prize winner of the Dallas Nature Center's Bird House Competition was inspired by Le Corbusier's Unite d' Habitacion. 

recognition: Dallas Nature Center Bird House Competition, 1st Prize

role: intern architect / designer

client: Ericsson

project type: campus design competition

location: Richardson, TX

collaborators include: Gideon Toal

about: sketch excerpts from a competition entry for a 1,000,000 SF suburban campus in Richardson, TX to accommodate Ericsson’s national corporate headquarters.

role: intern architect / designer

client: PennDOT

project type: interstate HOV lane addition and alterations

location: Philadelphia, PA

about: as part of the design of an elevated high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Interstate 95’s interface with and method of addressing the adjacent neighborhoods in Philadelphia was reconsidered. The interstate was considered part of the city’s built fabric and its retaining walls and sound barriers were developed as facades. The space between the fabric was developed as parks. Under and over passes were identified as gateways and provided with the visual interest and lighting to promote safe and uninhibited passage.