How an Architect Tricked Out his Own Chicago Home

From admin on June 8th, 2010 in Chicago

Gerardo Cerda, an architect for Froelich Kim + Cerda Architecture, had big plans for his own home recently purchased in Bucktown, Chicago. But before demolition day, second thoughts led him to question whether he could salvage the home’s original structure while staying true to his design vision. Today, all signs point to yes.

As with many older homes, this 1908 abode was plagued by small rooms and minimal natural lighting. So while Cerda stayed true to the past by keeping the front facade virtually untouched, massive changes were made to the interior to create a 3,500-square-foot living space with a spectacular open floor plan.

The 100-year-old exposed brick was kept intact in the interior, but updated drastically with modern furniture, crisp wood and bamboo finishes.

The addition of a large wall of windows brings the backyard in and provides the primary source of lighting for the kitchen. Bright furniture and accessories, along with light wood cabinetry, accentuate the cheerful design.

The back of the home looks as far removed from the front as possible. A modern boxlike addition to the upper half is actually a terrace secluded from neighbors with a surprisingly unattached feel. The space was completed with cedar floors, stucco walls, and an oak tree for added shade.

While his newly remodeled home may appear to fit seamlessly onto his block, Cerda knows that his vision makes it anything but ordinary. And that is far better than starting from scratch.