One of Dwell's strengths is their coverage of renovations that modernize old buildings in unexpected ways: something we think is very applicable to living in a city like Chicago, where we have so many beautiful old structures in need of renovation. On the Dwell Blog last week, we spotted this modernization of a 1925 brick home that's half traditional / half modern...

Designed by [merz]project, the renovation added space onto the back of a brick bungalow in Phoenix. With one child and a second on the way, the family needed more room for their children.

The front facade of the house was retained in tact, but the back opens up into an airy, modern expansion. When viewed from the street, the home looks like a standard bungalow, but in back it looks like a modernist gem with floor-to-ceiling windows.

We also like the fact that, despite the huge windows, privacy is preserved. With the panoramic views facing away from the street, the home blends into the neighborhood without attracting unwanted attention.

View a slideshow of Hoover House here, and read the article from Dwell here.