Recognition

“Maintaining the classical proportions of a Chicago townhome while making the interior contemporary involved several major design moves, including connecting the kitchen to the family room and the outdoors and adding generously-sized windows to the rear elevation—essentially rebuilding it.”

“I’m a fan of architectural moments of serenity and peacefulness in connection to the exterior, especially nature, [Seth Romig] says. As such, coming through the front door, guests see light trickling down the stairs as well as from the parlor, the entrances to other rooms and the kitchen. “The house unfolds with rhythm, connection and interest.”

“There were challenges—and opportunities. “The side of the house that opens to the yard faces south, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors would have resulted in unsustainable heat gain from the sun,” says Romig. So he created an additional living space: a shade deck between the house and the yard that acts as a buffer from the steepest summer sun and is an ideal spot for alfresco dining.”