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Project posted by Searl Lamaster Howe

Pearson Residence 2.0

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Location
Chicago, Illinois
Year
2019
Style
Modern
Both these spaces open directly onto the generous terrace. A customized sandblasted ash table in the dining area is counterbalanced by a marble clad island and walnut wrapped pantry in the kitchen.
Both these spaces open directly onto the generous terrace. A customized sandblasted ash table in the dining area is counterbalanced by a marble clad island and walnut wrapped pantry in the kitchen.
The island overlooks the terrace. A series of ebonized oak and brass columns conceal pipes running through this level of the 28-story high rise.
The island overlooks the terrace. A series of ebonized oak and brass columns conceal pipes running through this level of the 28-story high rise.
While open to one another, the island in the kitchen is wrapped in stone to obscure its clutter from the adjacent dining space which features mohair-clad Saarinen chairs and a channel tufted banquette. The corner windows provide views of both the lake and the skyline. The casual linen of the Roman shades serves as a foil to the raw concrete and pristine white plaster above.
While open to one another, the island in the kitchen is wrapped in stone to obscure its clutter from the adjacent dining space which features mohair-clad Saarinen chairs and a channel tufted banquette. The corner windows provide views of both the lake and the skyline. The casual linen of the Roman shades serves as a foil to the raw concrete and pristine white plaster above.
A built-in banquette was designed to allow for views of the bi-weekly lakefront fireworks while also providing ample seating for the dining area within a fairly compact footprint.
A built-in banquette was designed to allow for views of the bi-weekly lakefront fireworks while also providing ample seating for the dining area within a fairly compact footprint.
Partial height bars of cabinetry in deep blue lacquer and plainsawn walnut house the kitchen's appliances and storage while sitting low enough to allow for direct views to the lake beyond from the entry door.
Partial height bars of cabinetry in deep blue lacquer and plainsawn walnut house the kitchen's appliances and storage while sitting low enough to allow for direct views to the lake beyond from the entry door.
A key piece of environmentalist and photographer Daniel Beltra bookends one side of the south facing living room.
A key piece of environmentalist and photographer Daniel Beltra bookends one side of the south facing living room.
The dropped plaster ceiling was pulled away from the perimeter walls and finished with a razor thin edge. The concrete above is grazed with wash of light from a concealed source. The selection of furnishings was driven to find pieces that embodied as much beauty as comfort.
The dropped plaster ceiling was pulled away from the perimeter walls and finished with a razor thin edge. The concrete above is grazed with wash of light from a concealed source. The selection of furnishings was driven to find pieces that embodied as much beauty as comfort.
A sink carved out of expressive St. Laurent marble is complemented by subtly hand tooled plaster walls, softly brushed brass plumbing fittings and a sinuous smoked glass light fixture.
A sink carved out of expressive St. Laurent marble is complemented by subtly hand tooled plaster walls, softly brushed brass plumbing fittings and a sinuous smoked glass light fixture.
A screen of ebonized oak columns hides immovable plumbing pipes while providing a filtered view of the home office beyond. An oversized pocket door can be pulled shut for complete privacy for the office. Both areas open directly onto the terrace.
A screen of ebonized oak columns hides immovable plumbing pipes while providing a filtered view of the home office beyond. An oversized pocket door can be pulled shut for complete privacy for the office. Both areas open directly onto the terrace.
Burled walnut wraps the walls and ceiling of this heavily used space. Functional storage is concealed behind panels that blend into the walls. Doors lead out to the terrace. The free-form Angelo Lelli designed light fixture above the desk helps frame the window's view of Mies van der Rohe's 860 Lake Shore Drive in the distance.
Burled walnut wraps the walls and ceiling of this heavily used space. Functional storage is concealed behind panels that blend into the walls. Doors lead out to the terrace. The free-form Angelo Lelli designed light fixture above the desk helps frame the window's view of Mies van der Rohe's 860 Lake Shore Drive in the distance.
Due to the unusual yet unavoidably long and skinny proportions of the space, the bed was pulled free of the walls and sits in the middle of the room. The headboard includes both built-in nightstands and concealed shoe shelving on its backside. A wall of storage is hidden behind white oak panels faced with battens of the same material. Randomly spaced these elements echo the black columns seen elsewhere in the residence. The glass wall of the bath is visible at the far right.
Due to the unusual yet unavoidably long and skinny proportions of the space, the bed was pulled free of the walls and sits in the middle of the room. The headboard includes both built-in nightstands and concealed shoe shelving on its backside. A wall of storage is hidden behind white oak panels faced with battens of the same material. Randomly spaced these elements echo the black columns seen elsewhere in the residence. The glass wall of the bath is visible at the far right.
The bath borrows light from the bedroom's wall of windows. Acoustical separation between the rooms is provided by a sheet of laminated glass. When visual privacy is demanded, a motorized shade can be dropped from the ceiling. Its movement enabled by freestanding vanities and a pair of ceiling hung mirrors with integrated lighting.
The bath borrows light from the bedroom's wall of windows. Acoustical separation between the rooms is provided by a sheet of laminated glass. When visual privacy is demanded, a motorized shade can be dropped from the ceiling. Its movement enabled by freestanding vanities and a pair of ceiling hung mirrors with integrated lighting.
The existing openings onto the terrace were enlarged to maximize the connection between inside and out. Retractable awnings provide shade (and protection from the dripping water from overzealous balcony gardeners on the floors above).
The existing openings onto the terrace were enlarged to maximize the connection between inside and out. Retractable awnings provide shade (and protection from the dripping water from overzealous balcony gardeners on the floors above).
The plans of the two apartments that were to be combined into one residence featured many thickened walls that concealed an overabundance of immovable plumbing, mechanical, and structural elements. These constraints forced the development of a series of innovative layout strategies.
The plans of the two apartments that were to be combined into one residence featured many thickened walls that concealed an overabundance of immovable plumbing, mechanical, and structural elements. These constraints forced the development of a series of innovative layout strategies.
The dining, kitchen, bar, and home office now form an enfilade of spaces that celebrate the scale of the combined units and provide for a direct line of sight extending from Mies van der Rohe's 860/880 Lake Shore Drive to the north to the southern view of the downtown Loop. In addition, all of the rooms open directly onto the generous terrace. Two secondary bedroom and baths were combined into a gracious primary suite with a glass walled bath that borrows light and views from the adjacent bedroom. Additional bedrooms are clustered at the opposite end of the floor, centered around an informal family room.
The dining, kitchen, bar, and home office now form an enfilade of spaces that celebrate the scale of the combined units and provide for a direct line of sight extending from Mies van der Rohe's 860/880 Lake Shore Drive to the north to the southern view of the downtown Loop. In addition, all of the rooms open directly onto the generous terrace. Two secondary bedroom and baths were combined into a gracious primary suite with a glass walled bath that borrows light and views from the adjacent bedroom. Additional bedrooms are clustered at the opposite end of the floor, centered around an informal family room.

Details

Square Feet
4500
Bedrooms
4
Full Baths
3
Partial Baths
1

Credits

From Searl Lamaster Howe

One key client request –a direct view of Lake Michigan immediately upon entering the apartment - helped define the character of this gut renovation of two separate apartments into one unified residence. Standing between the entry and the lake-facing windows was an extraordinary number of plumbing pipes, none of which could be moved. These common building elements also dictated kitchen’s position – right in the middle of the desired sight line. A forest-like series of ebonized oak columns conceal piping while remaining visually permeable. The heights of three freestanding bars of cabinetry were calibrated to be just high enough, masking the kitchen’s functional elements. The geometry of the columns is reinterpreted in cabinetry and doors throughout the residence.

The ceiling is detailed as a simple white plane, almost shocking in its purity; its only break is at the window line where it is pulled back with a razor-sharp edge to reveal the raw concrete slab above. All surfaces of the home office including the ceiling are faced in burled walnut. The dark exuberance of the wood is tempered by crisp detailing.

The master bedroom’s proportions inspired the custom designed bed/bench/nightstand/ headboard/shelving assembly floating in the center of the room. Lacking any direct natural light, the master bath also demanded an unconventional design. Its freestanding vanities, each with a ceiling hung mirror, sit behind a wall of glass. A motorized shade is used when privacy is required. Otherwise the view remains open across the bedroom to the skyline beyond.