--- title: "Scrafano Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/scrafano-architects-pfvwus-pf~1224880643 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1224880643.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Scrafano Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0383b7dc019ce624_2636-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "357 West Chicago Ave, Suite 301, Chicago, Illinois 60654, United States" latitude: 41.8923 longitude: -87.6373 phone: "(323) 954-6464" website: http://www.scrafano.net rating: 5 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 310 last_updated: 2026-09-17 --- # Scrafano Architects Original Houzz profile: [Scrafano Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/scrafano-architects-pfvwus-pf~1224880643) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Arlington Heights, Chicago Heights - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2014–2022), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 50,000 Ideabook Saves Scrafano Architects is a full service architectural firm specializing in residential construction and remodeling as well as retail and hospitality revitalization. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Universal Design - Historic Building Conservation - Barn Design & Construction - Structural Engineering - Basement Remodeling - Basement Design - Deck Design - Laundry Room Design ### Areas Served - Chicago - Arlington Heights - Chicago Heights ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Scrafano Architects | | Address | 357 West Chicago Ave, Suite 301, Chicago, Illinois 60654, United States | | Phone | (323) 954-6464 | | Website | http://www.scrafano.net | | License Number | 001-018218 | | Followers on Houzz | 310 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrafano-Architects/125069387543488 - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/escrafano - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/pub/elissa-scrafano/2/22/157 ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Scrafano Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/scrafano-architects-pfvwus-pf~1224880643) - **Website:** http://www.scrafano.net - **Phone:** (323) 954-6464 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA Design Award 2011 - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2014–2022), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — Scala Construction Inc., April 2019** > We have collaborated with Scrafano on multiple projects over the last several years and are actively engaged in 2-3 projects together at any given time. Elissa has an upbeat positive energy with a passion for guiding clients through the process of understanding how to achieve their goals and converting them into architectural plans that we as the builder can execute. Their participation does not stop at design, and they are eager to participate in the evolution in the project and trouble shoot issues and adjustments as they arise. It has been a pleasure to work with her and we can absolutely recommend her. In fact, we have recommended her to several clients and are engaged in a handful or highly collaborative design-build initiatives together. **★★★★★ — HU-115284, May 2018** > We set off to find an architect who could transform an otherwise bland 1970’s box into a gleaming mid-century wonder with all of the modern conveniences. Elissa and her crew understood our vision almost immediately and created a design that was practical and lived up to our expectations. Thereafter and through the whole design and construction process, Elissa, Carol and their team out of Chicago were a joy to work with. They were flexible but they also kept our expectations and vision inline. If you want to hire a team that is practical, efficient and capable of bringing your expectations to life, Scrafano Architects is a great choice! **★★★★★ — Delaine Martin, Sept. 2017** > I recently remodeled my ranch style 1900 sq. ft house into a modern 3000 sq. ft efficient open floor pIan style. I worked with Elissa from Scrafano Architects on my home. She was creative, understanding and overall a pleasure to work. Elissa helped us create the home of our dreams! **★★★★★ — Scott A Heuvelhorst, July 2013** > I have worked closely with Scrafano Architects on a handful of projects now and they are extremely Talented and Professional. We have an amazing symbiosis and I look forward to working with them again soon! **★★★★★ — moffit, June 2013** > I have worked with Scrafano Architects on four projects over the last 12 years and have been thrilled, amazed and over joyed with the level of care, professionalism attention to detail and talent brought to each project. Although each project was stressful with tight deadline, budgets and puzzles that often seemed impossible to solve, Scrafano Architects did their jobs so well, that it made the process and my life easy and stress free as possible. I can't say enough great things about Elissa Scrafano and her team. They are smart, cutting edge and good at what they do. Beyond that, they are truly nice, lovely people who have a passion for excellence **★★★★★ — kerussell, June 2013** > We hired Scrafano to re-imagine our dated, compartmentalized Chicago home. We needed additional space and wanted to create a more open living plan but we weren't sure what was possible. Elissa and the Scrafano team brought creativity, enthusiasm and momentum that really made the project happen. They knew immediately what we were going for and managed to not just bring our vision to life but improve on it in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I truly love everything about our "new" home and was so fortunate to have Scrafano Architects with me every step of the way. ## Selected projects - [Blairwood: Studio City Upstairs Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/blairwood-studio-city-upstairs-addition-pj-vj~6091442) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 31 - Description: Addition of second story to pre-existing home including a guest room with en-suite bathroom, home office, and living/ game room - [Gold Coast](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gold-coast-pj-vj~6170600) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - [Palisades Love Nest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palisades-love-nest-pj-vj~5651264) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 40 - Description: The original 900SF 1940’s bungalow was demolished to make room for a new 3200SF five bedrooms and five and a half baths modern main house, with a gym bridge that connects to a second story guest quarters suite above a new two car garage. The suite extends into a charming western facing roof deck to enjoy the Pacific sunsets. The ground floor outside loggia expands the indoor/outdoor living space, and an open floor plan allows for comfortable contemporary living and entertaining. - [Ocean Towers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ocean-towers-pj-vj~5465100) - Location: Santa Monica, CA - Photos: 18 - [EMBURY](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/embury-pj-vj~2926249) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 30 - Description: Ground up new construction of a 3400 square foot 5-bedroom, 5 and a half bath home in the Pacific Palisades. - [Studio City Expansion](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/studio-city-expansion-pj-vj~240651) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: This project is a complete renovation and 1200 square foot second-story addition to a one story 1940’s California post-and-beam house in Studio City. The renovation and addition were thoughtfully woven together, with access to the outdoors serving as a key consideration throughout. The addition includes a gym and two bedroom suites, each with its own covered deck that takes advantage of the pool and mountain views beyond. - [Mandeville Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mandeville-retreat-pj-vj~2832682) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: 3000SF - [Echo Park Escape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/echo-park-escape-pj-vj~240713) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 7 - [Beverly Hills Hilltop Haven](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beverly-hills-hilltop-haven-pj-vj~1222421) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 16 - Description: This mid-century modern residence, originally one-story and built in 1960, is located high in the hills overlooking the city of Los Angeles. The project includes an extensive interior remodel and modernization, and a new second floor addition with a butterfly roof that gestures to the sky and allows for unobstructed views to the Pacific Ocean and Downtown Los Angeles. The first floor remodel exposed and restored the vaulted dodecagon ceiling, and opened up the living, dining, kitchen and bar are… - [Bel Air Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bel-air-home-pj-vj~2832718) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 12 - [Pacific Northwest meets LA Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pacific-northwest-meets-la-modern-pj-vj~1224323) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: An AIA Design Award was given for the this project which included completely updating and adding a new two story studio guest house to a 1950s ranch-style home in Sherman Oaks. From the street view the house sits low, unassuming, a wood-clad box demarcates the entrance. Once inside, sliding panels of glass open the home to panoramic views of the entire Los Angeles Valley with the Verdugo and San Gabriel mountains beyond. The entry provides the central circulation for the house and several access… - [Warehouse Dome](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/warehouse-dome-pj-vj~2516199) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: 14000 SF converted warehouse in the West Loop. We were hired to transform a 14000 square foot former warehouse into a private sport and entertainment facility suitable for family gatherings as well as large fundraising events. One hundred foot long bowstring trusses were fully restored and five massive operable skylights were added to provide ambient interior light. The expansive interior space was reprogrammed to include an indoor soccer field, interior gardens, a workshop, kitchen, bathrooms a… - [Church Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/church-transformation-pj-vj~2514420) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 14 - Description: 5500SF In close collaboration with Linc Thelen Design, we reconfigured and added space to this turn-of-the-century church in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood. Space for the family was carved out of the cavernous nave space creating rooms of varying intimacy. An existing dropped ceiling was removed from the space to expose the massive roof's structural timber and steel of this masonry building. The existing bell tower was converted into a glass-floored observation deck. - [Beverly Hills Corporate Headquarters](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beverly-hills-corporate-headquarters-pj-vj~2516275) - Location: Beverly Hills, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: 3000 SF Scrafano Architects collaborated with the award-winning interior designer Philippa Radon to create a contemporary design, branding image, and layout for MMG Agribusiness’s new corporate headquarters. This prime Golden Triangle Beverly Hills location was formerly a dark and sedate law office with heavy wood paneling, a dropped acoustical panel ceiling, narrow hallways, cramped offices, and very little light. Our goal was to create an open floor plan filled with natural light and near pano… - [One River Place](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/one-river-place-pj-vj~111658) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: Scrafano Architects and Home Lab were hired to enhance the common areas in this historic 1929 Art Deco structure, once headquarters to Montgomery Ward’s catalog business and now a 189-unit condominium building. Our work modernizes the spaces with new furnishings and layouts while recapturing the spirit of the original lobby with design elements that accent the building’s history. We re-opened the lobby’s staircase wall, and designed a new railing inspired by cast deco motifs on the exterior. A c… - [Los Angeles Urban Zen Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-angeles-urban-zen-oasis-pj-vj~1220939) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: The original house was a 1980 white stucco box of no significant design with a large unusable roof deck facing south and looking onto a hospital complex. The inviting new entry garden of this urban home is now framed by strategically placed high wooden walls screening off the carport and busy street life just outside. Distinctive steel trellises create several upper level gardens which transform the roof deck, and allow for more private and shaded outdoor living areas. The renovated and expanded… - [Chicago Deluxe Duplex Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chicago-deluxe-duplex-loft-pj-vj~246127) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 4 - Description: The downtown Chicago loft serves as an urban retreat for empty nesters that wanted a city presence. We integrated industrial and natural materials to transform an undefined industrial space into a comfortable and warm two-bedroom two-bath sanctuary. - [Lincoln Park Refresh](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-park-refresh-pj-vj~245978) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 8 - Description: This renovation and addition to an existing home in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago resulted in a radical transformation. The living, dining, and kitchen spaces open to the rear yard and deck. The second floor was redesigned to house cozy bedroom spaces and a modern bathroom with views of the neighborhood outside. - [West Loop Aerie](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-loop-aerie-pj-vj~241090) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: This interior renovation unifies four existing lofts into one large open living space. We located the kitchen/ eating area in the center of the space to create a central social gathering and communal area. Fireplaces are used as focal points to mark both ends of the L-shaped living space. Built-in shelves and cabinetry separate interior rooms while simultaneously connecting spaces and storing the owners’ large book collection and travel treasures. The bedrooms, bathrooms, and offices are tucked… - [Pacific Palisades Paradise](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pacific-palisades-paradise-pj-vj~240868) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 23 - Description: On a hillside lot, the plan of this house opens to views of the yard and pool in the foreground and the ocean beyond. Interior spaces flow outdoors into courtyards and gardens that are defined by the natural rock formations with native vegetation. Horizontal cedar wood siding, stacked river stone, smooth trowelled plaster and dark stained wood cabinetry are the material choices for this elegantly modern home. In the afternoon, the expansive roof overhangs shade the rooms and provide for magnific… [See all 20 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/scrafano-architects-pfvwus-pf~1224880643) ## Ideabooks - [Nony](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/123059911/list/nony) — 9 ideas - [Manasee](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/120769242/list/manasee) — 6 ideas - [Simpson](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108358395/list/simpson) — 207 ideas - [lobby / entrance](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34221957/list/lobby-entrance) — 5 ideas - [Galowich](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/109644486/list/galowich) — 2 ideas - [Luke](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108420615/list/luke) — 15 ideas - [Waynewood](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/108752234/list/waynewood) — 1 idea - [kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33907635/list/kitchen) — 23 ideas - [germaine](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86016183/list/germaine) — 1 idea - [Dossas/Dy](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63377684/list/dossas-dy) — 61 ideas - [Degani](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82235803/list/degani) — 81 ideas - [Anderson Drew](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82899859/list/anderson-drew) — 2 ideas - [mailbox](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34095347/list/mailbox) — 21 ideas - [miks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68320226/list/miks) — 10 ideas - [Thomas Residence](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/43796079/list/thomas-residence) — 18 ideas - [Holmes Mandeville](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/63691234/list/holmes-mandeville) — 15 ideas - [Pfefer Portland](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46937411/list/pfefer-portland) — 19 ideas - [Sakuma](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46898643/list/sakuma) — 15 ideas - [Pfeifer](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44989807/list/pfeifer) — 23 ideas - [Zweifel - Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44222019/list/zweifel-bathroom) — 13 ideas [See all 34 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/escrafano) ## Community Q&A **Q: Where did you get the shelf above the tub? Thank you.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi there Rebecca. It was custom made for the client. **Q: where is the table from?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Many of the furnishings were made by Linc Thelen who was the designer on the project. You can contact him via Houzz as well. **Q: Amazing.** *(in Photo Questions)* This Church Transformation project is simply stunning. The light is incredible and the balance of all these eclectic and different styles is perfect. Really love the contrast between the classic church windows and the contemporary furniture. Also, the glass floor of the higher level and the climbing wall in the bedroom are two genius-details. Really inspiring! Congrats! A: Thanks so much. We collaborated with Linc Thelen who was the lead designer. He's super talented. **Q: Where can I buy this wood burner from?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you for the question. The fireplace is the Fireorb made here in Illinois and designed by the late, great Doug Garofalo. It's a beautiful addition to any space! **Q: Green color** *(in Photo Questions)* I have been looking for a green wall color. I really like this one. Can you tell me what the name is. Thank you. A: Hi. The green in this room is by Benjamin Moore: Hampton Green \#2150-50 (flat finish). Be sure to send us a pic if you end up using this color in your project--we'd love to see how it turns out. Thanks! **Q: where is the couch from?** *(in Photo Questions)* Couch A: Hi. Doesn't it look comfy?? (It is, too) This sectional sofa is a custom-made piece by Workroom Couture Home here in Chicago. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-17.*