Downtown Chicago has a reputation for being an open-air "museum" of great architecture, but we also have some incredible houses and apartments tucked away on neighborhood side streets. The AIA tries to bring all Chicago's great buildings (big and small) to our attention through their annual awards. This year, many of the awards went to innovative homes and green buildings. We saw some familiar spaces among the submissions...
The Claremont House by Brininstool + Lynch (featured on AT here) won an Interior Architecture and Distinguished Building Award. Photo: Christopher Barrett, Hedrich Blessing Photographers, via AIA Chicago.
Wheeler Kearns' Case Study 1875 was one of 2 Honor Award winners. It also raked in Distinguished Building and Divine Detail Awards from the AIA. Photos: Craig Dugan and Jon Miller, Hedrich Blessing Photographers via AIA Chicago.
AT featured Studio Gang's SOS Children's Villages Community Center because of its innovative approach to green building on a budget. It won an Institutional Design Award from the AIA. Photo: Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing Photographers via AIA Chicago.
With 5 awards total, Studio Gang was a big winner. Their LEED-certified office (featured on AT here) won an Interior Architecture Award. Photo: Steve Hall/Metropolis.
Although it didn't win, one of our favorite Chicago homes was in the running: the Whitehead/Elniski Residence & Studios, a green home that was featured on AT here. Photos: Michelle Litvin for the NY Times.
Another non-winner that we personally love: the Wis Tavern Building by Wilkinson Blender, also known as the Bucktown home of Smog Veil Records. Photo: Doug Fogelson, DRFP via AIA Chicago.
• To see all residential Distinguished Building submissions, click here.
• To see all Interior Architecture submissions, click here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Hmmm, that top picture screams, "cozy up and read a book". Just kidding. That's a no napping zone if I ever saw one.
view LilyC's profile
Yes, the space featured in the top photo is ever so sterile. how about an 8 foot by 12 foot painting on that wall? A large plant in the window? Something that doesn't scream "Go away!"?
What goes on in this room? Is this a living room??? An entertaining space? An office? Something corporate? It seems both vast and heavy. A university reference library?
view dolcevita's profile
I would soooo nap in that room and really, really enjoy it.
view charlenemcbride's profile
Regarding the first photo... The simplicity of form, the quality of the light, and the uncluttered clarity all make it very inviting for me. Start adding stuff that doesn't need to be there and you just muddy the whole space up.
view charmac's profile
Lordy, not every space needs to be a cozy cluttered overstuffed living room. Personally its a little cool for me - but there are definitely elements of it that I love.
view Modfan's profile
Remember, these are the architects photos, many times they will 'purge' the owners furniture out of the shot.
There is a great picture of a Neutra house, which appears to be fairly spare and sparsely furnished, yet the uncropped photo shows all their stuff pushed to the side; lamps, more chairs, tchotkes, plants, etc.
view dn's profile