Citation of Merit

• Division: Residential
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Architect: Andric - Goettsch Associates
• Client: anonymous
• General contractor: Thorne Associates
• Consultants: Cosentini Lighting Design

Overview

Once a showroom in Chicago's landmark furniture mart, the 3,000-square-feet apartment for a professional couple had all the ingredients of design drama: stunning views of Lake Michigan, a tree-lined Lake Shore Drive, high ceilings and spatial flexibility. However, because a limited portion of the square footage lay along the window wall, the design challenge lay in the strategic introduction of light. The three-step process consisted of minor architectural interventions, a cohesive introduction of artificial lighting and a restricted use of colors and materials. "It's like being in the clouds," marveled one juror. "It's a great atmosphere. The beautiful white wall with the fireplace is pretty interesting."