Nov 17th 2015

John DeSalvo Design at Chicago Athenaeum

An exhibition of Chicago architecture opened this past week on Thursday, Nov. 12 including John DeSalvo Design’s renovation of a Louis Sullivan Row House in Old Town, Chicago. The exhibition will travel the globe after it closes its current gallery at 332 South Michigan Avenue. 

About the Project:

The challenge of this row house renovation was creating a machine for modern living within an historic framework unique to the city of Chicago. Since 1889 the original Adler and Sullivan design has seen several invasive renovations and generations of change; renovating yet again required a subtle and careful approach that is respectful to the past while striving to create a future for an international couple with two young children. The plan of the home was reorganized to open a gracious first floor entertainment space, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a basement media room and guest suite. The front parlor and entry hall were renovated, replete with new connecting powder-room, storage, and sound and security systems all while remaining within the framework of the landmark designation. Reorganization and new spaces throughout afforded the opportunity to re-create ceiling coves and trim sympathetic to the existing historic details. Rear spaces on the first level were combined to form an open kitchen/dining area conducive to modern living. Opening the back wall of the home and extending stairs into a redesigned rear garden created a full lot width space that is visually and physically large enough for extended family stays and social gatherings.