Today's New York Times features a thoughtful and beautiful modern redesign of a warehouse. Frances Whitehead and James Elniski, faculty members at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, embraced the idea of green living when they built their home in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. Though they are the first to admit that there is always room to be greener, they clearly believe that the green movement has merit and are satisfied in their attempt at balancing sustainability with aesthetics...
By using as much as the existing building as possible and installing a number of green systems, the house is a true experiment in more-sustainable and environmentally-friendly living. Geothermal heating, radiant heated floors, wind turbines, rain water cisterns, photovoltaic and thermal panels are just the beginning. The couple's architect and contractor, William James, of James & Kutyla Architecture admitted it was an ambitious project...
Check out the full story from The New York Times: In Chicago, Tinted Green. Chicagoans will be pleased to know that in addition to letting the house serve as a Case Study for architecture and design students, the couple have plans to include it in the AIA Chicago House Tours this summer.
(Pics: Michelle Litvin)
LOVE everything about this place sans the antique furniture.
i can't wait to get an apartment with a balcony or rooftop so i can cover the roof with the plant trays, leaving a winding path to walk through.
view jeffnyc's profile
I LOVE IT!!
view Sleek's profile
It's like the one-two punch.
Yesterday, the one in Bucktown, today, the one in West Town.
One (I) can dream, I guess.
view art's profile
Wow ... just ... wow. I walk by that house almost every day, and while it can blend in to the background if you're not paying attention, I have often wondered what lay behind the green brick and gorgeous turbines. Now I know, and I'm envious beyond repair. Well done.
view Chopper Dave's profile
too bad you have to be rich or be a yuppie to attain such perfection...
view andrasklang's profile
Yuppie is so St. Elmo's Fire. Besides, it was a derogatory term for people in their 20's or 30's and that's just not nice.
If faculty members can become "rich", good for them because I know that they will use that money in an intelligent way. Like to build a house with solar panels, a roof top garden, turbines, radiant heat, etc.
view art's profile
Another example of conspicuous consumption masquerading as environmental responsibility...or worse, art.
view M's profile
Pretty cool stuff.
view SeanG's profile
i must apologize a bit. i didnt notice they were older. i find this acceptable now. yay! for ageism!
view andrasklang's profile
I love that atrium.
view Erika in Seattle's profile
M-You're on a design site. The design world is based on conspicuous consumption. This site is about aesthetics not morals.
Having just looked at Arthur's home tour and all of the money there, I am sort of shocked as I have mostly jest read positive or constructive thing on AT before. Unless their floors are made of homeless people and their walls covered in endangered fur, it seems very rude and off-putting to attack someone's lifestyle based on their homes that they share with us. Even if they are unattainable to the average person, they can still serve as inspiration to everyone.
view eowes's profile
Extraordinary place, only disappointed by its public face on the street - dominated by garage, and no real windows. While it's terrific to see adaptive reuse rather than new construction (and I appreciate the challenge that poses), it would have been great see more evidence of the new vitality from the street.
view ellenville's profile
Eowes, I have no problem with conspicuous consumption. You read into my comment, which merely stated the obvious.
view M's profile
Anyone know where they got the wind turbines? What manufacturer?
Would also love to know if there are any issues with vibrations.
We have been talking to Helix, but they are not ready for distribution and they counseled us against them on our old building - going to push that one given that even though it's old - it's brick brownstone!
view cooktine's profile
cooktine, I would recommend you try emailing the homeowners directly. I bet you could find their work email addresses online.
I love this house. I love that they've installed green systems, and I love the aesthetics, including the antique furniture. I particularly covet that gigantic work surface.
view greer's profile