Bluff Home

Opportunity: This single-family home has evolved in three distinct phases: the original design built in 1978, an addition made in the 1990s, and a renovation/addition in 2007. These changes reflect the needs of the owner, and an evolving awareness of the synergy between building and site.

Solution: The original design for this home sought to take advantage of the site — a high bluff over Lake Michigan. The 6,000 square foot structure followed a simple L-shape with children and guest rooms on the lower level (countersunk into the hillside), and main living spaces on the upper level, offering panoramic views on three sides. An L-shaped wall, added in 1993, captures the privacy of an exterior courtyard. In 2007, the home was modernized with a master suite including a dressing room, a larger bathroom, and a family room, adding 1,000 square feet to the house.

Value: This home was named a Record Home by Architectural Record in 1978 and was given a Distinguished Building Award by the American Institute of Architects Chicago in 1979. It has been featured in numerous national and international publications such as Global Architecture and Nikkei Architecture.