Architectural Record "Record House"

The owner originally intended to remodel an existing building but became interested in new construction when the availability of inexpensive land presented itself. Both owner and architect extensively toured Chicago neighborhoods before settling on an inexpensive double lot in a run-
down area on the near West side.

The challenge then became to respect the scale and rhythm of a street consisting primarily of narrow detached houses on single lots while maximizing the opportunities afforded by a double lot. Avoiding the obvious temptation to build the full width of the lot, the major portion of this residence is built on the western side of the lot in a masonry structure similar in width to others on the block. With the exception of the steel bedroom/porch structure at the front and a garage at the back, the entire eastern half of the lot is given over to a semi-public garden through which one passes to enter the house. More private outdoor space exists on a terrace (over the garage) which is accessed from
the Living Room. The owner, who has an office in her house, had some unique programmatic requirements resulting from her location in a gang-ridden neighborhood. Amongst them were the provision of three interior parking spaces, so that her clients could park inside, a minimum of
windows on the ground floor, and security gates on the Living Room doors leading to the terrace that could be easily opened from the inside.

Ground and split face concrete masonry units, stock aluminum doors and windows, and inexpensive interior finishes help make this home affordable.