We are honored to have our work published in this beautiful book published by the Australian based minimalist aggregator Softer Volumes. The book features over 100 hand-picked coffee shops in more than 70 cities all over the world. Learn more about the book through the following link.  https://softervolumes.com/shop/softer-volumes-cafes-book ..read more

Rehabbing or converting a 2-flat can be expensive. One strategy 34-TEN has found to mitigate the costs associated with this project type is the owner’s unit prototype, which is a 2-flat in which the owner occupies one dwelling unit and rents out another. This has become a popular strategy with our clients in the current market since escalating construction prices, experienced largely due to COVID, has forced owners to approach their projects differently and more creatively. An owner’s unit prototype can help offset the carrying costs of owning a home, particularly one located in a desirable n ..read more

For the second year in a row, we are the proud recipients of an AIA Chicago Small Project ward. This year we won the People's Choice Award which covers both the Residential and Commercial categories. The 34-TEN team is grateful for the opportunity to work with great clients who trust us and to those who took the time to vote for the McKinley Park Studio.  Take a moment to look at the AIA Chicago project gallery to learn more about this project. https://aiachicago.awardsplatform.com/gallery/wgqRDxyp/YQbxeJER?search=a10d4c93ff536525-1 ..read more

Read the full article here: https://www.archdaily.com/969174/mckinley-park-studio-34-ten ..read more

View from kitchen / dining room looking toward garage We have two projects located on the same block of Mozart in Logan Square, so naturally we called the newest New Mozart House. Maybe not the most creative name? (We prefer to save our best creative energy for design.) This deconversion of an existing 2-flat greystone includes some unique features—such as an incredible outdoor living space with integrated planters and seating which graciously flows to the rear yard from the kitchen. Additionally, a second floor bedroom used as an office opens to a small landscaped court located in the bay ..read more

View from the bottle shop looking toward Milwaukee Aveneu In 2022, we began an exciting collaboration in the heart of Avondale, one of the coolest neighborhoods in the world according to Time Out. Located at 2901 N Milwaukee Avenue, Deep Red Wine Merchant was named for one of the owner's favorite films, Deep Red, an Italian horror classic written and directed by the infamous Dario Argento. We leaned heavily into the post-modern themes seen in design and architecture through the late 1970s and early 1980s. Eschewed for many years, we are starting to see some of the movement’s stronger elements ..read more

View of the coach house ADU from the rear yard The City of Chicago has been grappling with a shortage of affordable housing options, as well as rising home prices and rents. To address this issue, Chicago has implemented a pilot program that allows for the construction of additional dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family lots. These are referred to as accessory dwelling units elsewhere, but we like to do things differently in Chicago. The program is part of the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO), which aims to increase the supply of affordable housing in our city. Site diagram sh ..read more

View of the rear addition clad with corrugated panels. The radiuses at the outside corners are a deviation from the standard detail typically seen with corrugated panels. Composed of a duplex-up owner’s unit and a simplex garden unit, the Logan Radius Addition is a unique blend of a classic greystone 2-flat with a modern interior and rear addition. We utilized the city of Chicago's Department of Housing ADU Pilot Program for permitting of the garden unit—also referred to as a “conversion ADU”. The project gets its name from radiused corners at the rear addition are the result of a creative va ..read more

The pandemic fundamentally re-shaped how we think about work/life balance, and impacted how and where we’re able to spend our time. Because so many of us find ourselves often working remotely, we can be anywhere (so long as we have a reliable internet connection!). A city dweller’s desire to spend time in more remote locales has become almost commonplace, and the option to purchase a second home for extended retreats, or even relocate entirely, is now a reality. Whether you plan to purchase and remodel an existing home to make it your own, or start from scratch with a custom build, there’s a l ..read more

Hiring an architect for a residential project can be a daunting task. Unlike real estate transactions or other major life purchases, it's something most people only do once in their lifetime. On top of it, the way property owners, architects, and general contractors relate is commonly misunderstood. Clarifying the Relationships Occasionally, we encounter a homeowner who has contacted a general contractor (GC) first, then asked for an architect referral, which is the reverse of how it works best. Construction law in the US is structured so that the architect acts as the homeowners advocate as t ..read more