Republic Windows and Doors
Chicago, Illinois
2008

A site on Goose Island, an underdeveloped manufacturing zone northwest of downtown Chicago, offers panoramic views of the skyline for the main factory of Republic Windows and Doors, a once Chicago-based manufacturer. This cost-effective building gently rises to the south, capturing the vista. Befitting a window fabricator, the building design incorporates a dramatic glazed curtain wall, creating a three-story atrium lobby for guest reception and large employee gatherings. The manufacturing facility also houses an airy and well-organized factory space, offices, a sales center, and employee support facilities, all infused with natural light.

Recognizing the important role architecture plays in improving business results, the manufacturing facility received the prestigious Good Design is Good Business Award from Architectural Record and Business Week.

Awards: The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation – 2000 Architectural Excellence in Community Design, 1999 AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award, 1999 Business Week/Architectural Record Award

Two offset linear masses linked by a light-filled kitchen contain living and sleeping spaces respectively. The courtyards that result from this configuration are extensions of the interior spaces, made accessible by the operable glass facade that brings natural light and ventilation in. Deep roof overhangs and the relocation of existing olive trees provide shade to all glass exposures. An infinity-edge pool reinforces the floating roof lines. Views are caught in reflections off the glass and water, changing with every shift in perspective and passing hour. A forty-two foot long painting brings natural themes and colors indoors as it stretches across the living spaces. With its clean lines and limited palette, the home serves as a backdrop for the panoramic views and owners’ art collection.

The project presented an opportunity to restore the native desert landscape that had been disrupted by lawn from a previous development. The home’s mindful footprint preserves existing drought-tolerant vegetation on approximately sixty percent of the site. The structural system maximizes the use of wood, thereby relying on local materials and labor. A Palm Springs craftsman produced the custom thin-profile window system.

2016 Gold Nugget Awards - Grand Award for Best Custom Home