The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP

Leavitt Residence

Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters

LEAVITT RESIDENCE

Miller Hull Partnership

LOCATION
Chicago, United States

PHOTOGRAPHS
Marty Peters

CATEGORY
Houses

YEAR
2007

ENGINEER
Fisher & Partners Structural Engineers

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Ranquist Development

MANUFACTURERS
AXOR, Dornbracht, Hansgrohe, Lutron, Benjamin Moore, Grohe, Hafele, Arclinea, Bega, Fleetwood, Honeywell, Juno Lighting, Lightology, Mid-American Elevator Company, SONOS, Schlage

ARCHITECT OF RECORD
Studio Dwell

AREA
8600 ft2

Text description provided by architect.

The Leavitt Residence is an extensive renovation of a 1920's mercantile building in the Chicago neighborhood of Bucktown.

Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters
Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters
Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters

The 3-story existing structure consisted of heavy timber framing, with brick cladding at the exterior.

An effort was made to respect the existing building while at the same time inserting dramatic new design gestures.

The most significant insertion was to add an expansive window wall which extrudes upward and flows over the roof to create a highly transparent penthouse.

Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters
Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters

The window wall provides connection to a private yard, a valuable asset in this dense urban setting.

The second major undertaking in the building renovation was to replace the east façade which was determined unstable.

Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters
Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters
Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters

The solution aims to replicate the rhythm of the existing columns while also announcing a modernist influence at the second level.

Mirroring the triangular footprint of the building, a 3-story triangular shaped atrium is at the heart of the home, giving way to massive timber staircases surrounded by cedar and glass.

The original beams and exposed brick juxtapose the modern Arclinea kitchen, echoing the same tension between old and new that's created by the steel and glass window wall addition.

Leavitt Residence
© Marty Peters


Leavitt Residence
Plan
Leavitt Residence
Plan
Leavitt Residence
Plan
Leavitt Residence
Site Plan

The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
T +1 206 6826837
The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
71 Columbia St 6th floor, Seattle, WA 98104, United States