--- title: "Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd. — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/tom-bassett-dilley-architect-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1988736296 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1988736296.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd." category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/7a634c110213ff3a_3984-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "301 Harrison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60304, United States" latitude: 41.8725 longitude: -87.7877 phone: "(708) 434-0381" website: https://tbdarchitects.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 8 best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 123 last_updated: 2026-08-28 --- # Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd. Original Houzz profile: [Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/tom-bassett-dilley-architect-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1988736296) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Oak Park, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Cicero, Evanston, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Des Plaines, Berwyn, Oak Park, Glenview, Elmhurst, Park Ridge, Northbrook, Elk Grove Village, Chicago Heights, Melrose Park, Westmont, Elmwood Park, Villa Park, Darien, Crest Hill, Brookfield, Bensenville, Franklin Park, Hinsdale, Bridgeview, Westchester, La Grange, Norridge, Forest Park, Wood Dale, Western Springs, La Grange Park, Lincolnwood, Northlake, Justice, River Forest, Schiller Park, Burr Ridge, Summit, Lyons, River Grove, North Riverside, Countryside, Forest View, Bedford Park, McCook, NW Indiana, SE Wisconsin, SW Michigan - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (8 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2016–2025), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves At TBDA, we bring your vision to life through our deep technical expertise and passion for design. From retrofits and remodels to new buildings, our tailored designs seek sustainable solutions for health, comfort, and function, ensuring your space is as eco-friendly as it is inspiring. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Green Building - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Attic Conversion - Prefab Houses - Custom Home ### Areas Served - Chicago - Cicero - Evanston - Schaumburg - Arlington Heights - Palatine - Des Plaines - Berwyn - Oak Park - Glenview - Elmhurst - Park Ridge - Northbrook - Elk Grove Village - Chicago Heights - Melrose Park - Westmont - Elmwood Park - Villa Park - Darien - Crest Hill - Brookfield - Bensenville - Franklin Park - Hinsdale - Bridgeview - Westchester - La Grange - Norridge - Forest Park - Wood Dale - Western Springs - La Grange Park - Lincolnwood - Northlake - Justice - River Forest - Schiller Park - Burr Ridge - Summit - Lyons - River Grove - North Riverside - Countryside - Forest View - Bedford Park - McCook - NW Indiana - SE Wisconsin - SW Michigan ### Typical Job Cost $400,000 - 5 million The wide cost range covers remodels to new buildings. All our projects share commitment to design, sustainability, and client satisfaction. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd. | | Address | 301 Harrison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60304, United States | | Phone | (708) 434-0381 | | Website | https://tbdarchitects.com/ | | License Number | 184.004847-0001 | | Followers on Houzz | 123 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Tom-Bassett-Dilley-Architects-Ltd-134758966588661/?ref=aymt\_homepage\_panel - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/TBDArchitects - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/12976011/admin/ - Blog — https://tbdarchitects.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd.](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/tom-bassett-dilley-architect-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1988736296) - **Website:** https://tbdarchitects.com/ - **Phone:** (708) 434-0381 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA, Certified Passive House Consultant, numerous local awards for sustainability and preservation. - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2016–2025), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [Illinois Green Alliance](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/illinois-green-alliance-pfvwus-pf~973972130) - [AIA Chicago](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-chicago-pfvwus-pf~437317530) - [Passive House Institute US](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/passive-house-institute-us-pfvwus-pf~1579791328) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 8 reviews** ### All 8 reviews **★★★★★ — Sharon, Oct. 2019** > TBDA's commitment to transforming an aging mid-century house into a clean air, energy retro-fitted home has surpassed our expectations. My husband and I have allergies and live on a wooded lot. Every detail of the project from the insulation, windows and HVAC to the construction methodology was tailored toward a wonderfully healthy indoor environment without compromising the strong indoor/outdoor dynamic of the house’s design. Tom, Timothy and the entire TBDA were extremely knowledgeable and dedicated and we are so grateful! **★★★★★ — Natalie Papier, Sept. 2016** > We hired TBDA to design the plans to renovate the unfinished attic in our Victorian home in Oak Park. Once what was a dingy, non-energy efficient, useless space is now light, airy and functional. TBDA's team puts time and energy into every detail. We especially love his attention to energy efficiency and sustainability. It has truly become a WOW space. They took on the role of project management with our contractors and the communication was seamless. I appreciate the creativity and forward thinking that TBDA has towards design. It was truly a fantastic project because of them. Thank you Tom and team!! **Comment from Tom Bassett-Dilley Architect, Ltd.:** > Thanks, Natalie, it was a blast to work with you, and we love how much interior design you brought to the project--such style! **★★★★★ — rebewill, Jan. 2016** > Tom designed an addition for the back of our Prairie-style home. He managed to create the functional and beautiful kitchen space that we wanted while complementing the rest of the house so well that guests frequently say they can't tell where the addition starts. The exterior complements the front of the house but is set back so it doesn't compete. I also appreciated Tom's attention to energy efficiency. He was very easy to work with, and I highly recommend him. **★★★★★ — mcjaklevic16, Dec. 2015** > Tom designed our house, which was the first passive house project in Cook County, Illinois. He brought us innovative ideas and followed up on every detail to create a beautiful and functional home that serves as a model in our community. Tom is sincere in his desire to create attractive, environmentally responsible projects that relate visually and functionally to their surroundings. Tom listens carefully, responds to clients' concerns and communicates effectively with contractors. We'd hire him again. **★★★★★ — Shawna George, Dec. 2015** > We hired TBDA to design a new construction home in suburban Oak Park, Il. We knew we wanted a sustainable project that was consistent with our goals and lifestyle. Tom provided an outstanding level of expertise leading to both Passive House cerification and LEED Platinum certification. Tom was able to marry building science with building aesthetics to create a healthy, sustainable and beautiful home that fulfilled all of our expectations. **★★★★★ — Mark A. Miller Architects/Builders Inc., Dec. 2015** > I've known Tom for many years now. We are board members of the Passive House Alliance Chicago chapter. I appreciate Tom's commitment to the sustainability movement with his great work for our organization as well as carrying the torch for passive building in the chicagoland area. Tom has a deep understanding of the building science around energy efficient structures. He is one of a few in our passive house community who is able to take the nerdy science stuff and artfully blend it with the aesthetic values of good architecture. His recent project in Oak Park, "The Right Sized House" is a wonderful example of this synthesis and I feel he really "knocked it out of the park". I look forward to seeing his future projects as they just keep getting better and better. You should know that you are in good hands if you work with TBDA! Bravo. **★★★★★ — jasontune1506, Dec. 2015** > Tom Bassett-Dilley and his crew did a tremendous job with the renovation of our home in NW Oak Park. It was a challenging task, as our 100-plus year old home was on a small footprint with a small and choppy floor plan. Tom redesigned our home which resulted in larger, more open spaces that our family just loves. In addition to the redesign of the existing floor plan, Tom created the plans for a small addition and helped us make the critical choices of fixtures, finishes, colors, etc that really cap off the renovation. We would recommend TBDA without hesitation to anyone looking for a creative and visionary architect. > > JT & PD **★★★★★ — Judy Klem, Dec. 2015** > We live in a 1918 Oak Park bungalow, complete with art glass windows and loads of woodwork throughout. Our kitchen was a late 80s powder blue counters and laminate cabinets--did not match our home or our needs for a big family. Tom Bassett-Dilley and his team completely rethought our space and designed a functional and beautiful space that matches the rest of our home. We can now entertain family and friends in a spacious, sophisticated kitchen. The mud room and sun room were also part of this project--reclaiming space so every inch our our house is useable, efficient and stunning! ## Selected projects - [Right-Sized Passive Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/right-sized-passive-home-pj-vj~643629) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 16 - Description: This is a “right-sized” new home, designed by TBDA in Oak Park, IL. While its space planning and technology are entirely 21st-century, its form echoes the scale and detailing of its bungalow and foursquare neighbors. Indoor-outdoor experience is optimized with a front screened porch, complete with a wood-burning fireplace. This house LEED for Homes Platinum and certified Passive House through the Passive House Institute US PHIUS+2015 program. In addition to the efficiency, durability, and inhere… - [Net Zero Ready Prairie Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/net-zero-ready-prairie-retreat-pj-vj~2503320) - Location: Springfield, IL - Photos: 12 - Description: On this beautiful wooded site with a restored prairie, the owner sought a cozy refuge with a minimal carbon footprint. This LEED Gold house was carefully sited in the midst of a restored prairie to visually connect to the pond below and trees above, with screened porches at the upper two levels. The guesthouse is for frequent family and friend visitors, but by keeping it separate, it can be run at low-power mode, while allowing the main house to be the intimate domain of the owner. High insulati… - [Midcentury Modern Reborn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/midcentury-modern-reborn-pj-vj~2838599) - Location: Wheaton, IL - Photos: 18 - Description: This 1960 house was in need of updating from both design and performance standpoints, and the project turned into a comprehensive deep energy retrofit, with thorough airtightness and insulation, new space conditioning and energy-recovery-ventilation, triple glazed windows, and an interior of incredible elegance. While we maintained the foundation and overall massing, this is essentially a new house, well equipped for a new generation of use and enjoyment. - [Starry Nights Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/starry-nights-farmhouse-pj-vj~5688442) - Location: Wheatland, WI - Photos: 17 - Description: tarry Nights Farm, an organic cattle farm in southern Wisconsin, requested a home in line with their sustainability goals. This timeless-looking but cutting-edge home features: \*Passive House design, using energy modeling to optimize the thermal envelope and energy strategy; \*Annual zero energy use through conservation-based design and a roof-mounted solar PV array; \*Health promoting interior through minimized toxicity in materials and finishes, demand-controlled energy recovery ventilation, and… - [ICF Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/icf-passive-house-pj-vj~412547) - Location: River Forest, IL - Photos: 7 - Description: Design and Performance working together: this is the first certified Passive House in the Chicago area, built by Biltmore Insulated Concrete (thermal shell) and Weiss Building and Development. We acted as architect and Passive House consultant, performing the rigorous calculations in conjunction with the spatial, structural, mechanical, and esthetic design considerations. Cadmium Interiors selected interior finishes and furniture. Passive Houses have inherently good indoor air quality due to the… - [Oak Park Historic Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-park-historic-remodel-pj-vj~412520) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 7 - Description: A small addition for mudroom entry and powder room allowed the interior of this early 1900's house in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District to be modernized, with a sweeping kitchen/dining space connected to a new cedar deck. At the same time, the second floor bath was enlarged and reconfigured. The "North Woods" theme of the bath led to Lake Michigan-inspired material and color choices, capitalizing on the view to spruce trees in the rear yard. The kitchen used quarter and rift sawn oak for… - [Renovation in Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/renovation-in-frank-lloyd-wright-historic-district-pj-vj~1265963) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 11 - Description: Winner of the 2015 Historic Preservation Award, this home is located in Oak Park’s Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District. The back-of house remodel capitalized on the existing home’s character while providing better function and flow. The increased space required for the enlarged kitchen and mudroom were housed in an addition echoing the language of the front porch so that the entire house flows visually. Interior woodwork was selected to match the quarter-sawn whit… - [Furnace-Free House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/furnace-free-house-pj-vj~412454) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: The theme of this house (and all of our new houses, really) is design and efficiency working together. Built in 2010 with CTI and OneWatt Construction, this house uses Passive House techniques of superinsulation, airtightness, and continuous heat-recovery-ventilation to ensure comfort, great indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. The floor plan was developed to optimize daylight and solar gain and to create strong connections to the neighborhood (via the front porch) and private back yard (v… - [Lake Bluff Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-bluff-passive-house-pj-vj~5688428) - Location: Lake Bluff, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: Passive House is a model for low-energy, high-quality living, and the Lake Bluff Passive House achieves it with contemporary style. With non-toxic construction and finish materials and a continuous energy-recovery-ventilation system, indoor air quality will be optimized; with efficient lighting, appliances, and mechanical systems along with a super-insulated envelope, comfort is ensured along with low energy consumption. Low-flow water fixtures with a demand-controlled hot water recirculation sy… - [Highland Park Zero Energy Ready Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/highland-park-zero-energy-ready-home-pj-vj~2528902) - Location: Highland Park, IL - Photos: 8 - Description: This Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home in Highland Park demonstrates how efficiency can be beautiful and charming. Triple-glazed windows allow natural light to flow through the entire home, while protecting the home from the outside elements. The design details of the siding delight, while protecting the home from the harsh Lake Michigan winters. - [Walter Burley Griffin Carter House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/walter-burley-griffin-carter-house-renovation-pj-vj~306945) - Location: Evanston, IL - Photos: 4 - Description: We designed two projects on the site of Walter Burley Griffin’s 1909 Carter house: a coach house above the 1930’s garage, and an interior remodel of kitchen and master bath. For the coach house, we introduced new dormers to create interior space in the previously unused attic; also a new site wall, symmetrical to the main house, which established a dialogue between the two buildings. The project won an Evanston Preservation and Design Award. The kitchen was an opportunity to remove the incongruo… - [West Town GreenStar Retrofit](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-town-greenstar-retrofit-pj-vj~2546725) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 7 - Description: The West Town GreenStar Retrofit is a historic landmarked two-flat in Ukranian Village that was converted to an efficient, healthy, and modern single-family home, while keeping interior and exterior historic character details. Special emphasis was put on indoor air quality and indoor-outdoor connections. The homeowners are a medical doctor specialized in sustainable healthcare, and a sustainability manager for sports events. Bringing these priorities home, the design focuses on non-toxic materia… - [High-Performance Foursquare](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-performance-foursquare-pj-vj~2004027) - Location: Hinsdale, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: This reinterpretation of the classic American Foursquare brings space planning for modern family living and 21st-c. energy efficiency, materials, and technology. The home is a right-sized Passive House (seeking PHIUS+ certification) designed to be healthy, efficient, affordable, and fit to its neighborhood. As a Passive House, it uses only a tenth of the heating and cooling energy of a built-to-code home, and about 65% less energy overall; it is also designed to be Zero Energy Ready, meaning tha… - [Oak Park Energy Star Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-park-energy-star-remodel-pj-vj~573516) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 5 - Description: Remodeling often offers great opportunities for efficiency improvements. When the owners of this house decided to remove the existing aluminum siding, we proposed new rigid insulation under the new siding to greatly increase thermal efficiency and comfort. This along with effective air sealing and a ground source (geothermal) system for heating and cooling allowed the house to meet the new Energy Star standards. Concurrently, the new addition provided the much needed home office and bedroom spac… - [Modular Prefab Modern Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modular-prefab-modern-farmhouse-pj-vj~2973262) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 21 - Description: Modular prefab construction offers great advantages in quality control and speed of delivery. Our challenge was to get the most done in the factory while providing an airtight, thermal-bridge-free enclosure and owner-approved finishes. By working with a custom prefabricator, we were able to collaboratively arrive at solutions for air sealing, insulation, structure, and site-finishing. The local GC poured the foundation, applied exterior insulation, and installed fixtures, finishes, decks, and ca… - [E.E. Robert’s Jewell House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/e-e-roberts-jewell-house-renovation-pj-vj~5688569) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 6 - Description: The owners of this historic 1906 E.E. Roberts sought to build “the house of the future in the house of the past.” While maintaining the exterior finish and detailing, the interior is a gut remodel, with all woodwork and art glass being carefully restored and replaced. This allows for retrofit insulation, new wiring and plumbing, and a geothermal heating and cooling system with energy recovery ventilation. A small addition on the back allows an enlarged kitchen to connect via mudroom and deck to… - [Acorn Glade Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/acorn-glade-passive-house-pj-vj~2568791) - Location: Downers Grove, IL - Photos: 11 - Description: This 1,800s.f. Passive House is designed to harmonize with its peaceful, wooded site. The interior is organized around a large south opening to a courtyard-like patio space; as a backdrop to this opening is a wall featuring walnut from trees harvested on site. As a Passive House, it uses about a tenth the heating energy of a built-to-code home, and about 65% less energy overall. As a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, it was designed so that the solar electric array, installed in 2018, produces as much… - [Home Ec. Design Studio and Lounge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-ec-design-studio-and-lounge-pj-vj~2049223) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 7 - Description: Most attic renovations in Oak Park, IL consist of replacing unused attic space with a master suite. The owners considered that type of renovation, but decided to keep all their bedrooms on the same floor. Their 2,600 sq. ft. home was missing a casual hangout space for the family. “What we didn't have was a large family space, like a finished basement, and it made sense as the kids get older that it be used as more of a multipurpose play room/entertaining space.” They decided on a modern-day fami… - [Victorian Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/victorian-renovation-pj-vj~5647796) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 10 - Description: This 1880s Victorian, was converted to a 2-flat in the 1960s. The owners wanted to removed the old back entrance to connect the floors, provide a family-friendly mudroom, and create a welcoming kitchen to accommodate large family gatherings. TBDA designed a new kitchen, pantry, full bath, and new interior stair on the first floor. The entire back of the home was gutted to achieve this and the new spaces, while modern, stylistically blend with the existing Victorian home. - [Lakeshore Historic District Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeshore-historic-district-renovation-pj-vj~306940) - Location: Evanston, IL - Photos: 3 - Description: Small addition for back entry mudroom, and gut remodel of kitchen. [See all 30 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/tom-bassett-dilley-architect-ltd-pfvwus-pf~1988736296) ## Ideabooks - [exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46101376/list/exteriors) — 7 ideas - [Midcentury details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26483042/list/midcentury-details) — 2 ideas [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/tbdarchitects) ## Community Q&A **Q: Lovely fireplace!** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you share specifics on the brick/stone you used? Thank you! A: Thank you! This is Fornace Sant'Anselmo in Corso. **Q: Interested in the flooring** *(in Photo Questions)* What type of flooring was used and what color? A: Thank you! These are 5" wood plank; white oak select **Q: What type of hardwood is this? Color?** *(in Photo Questions)* Beautiful floors. A: Thank you! These are 5" wood plank; white oak select **Q: What type of floor tile was used** *(in Photo Questions)* I'm looking to see the material used for the floors A: Thanks for the question! The floor tile is Ann Sacks – Athens Silver Cream. **Q: Color of lower cabinets?** *(in Photo Questions)* I love the lower cabinet color and style...what details can you share with me. Fabulous kitchen! A: Thank you! The cabinets are custom made and the paint color is Benjamin Moore AF-720 “Sparrow” in a satin gloss finish. **Q: Where is the freezer hidden?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you for your question. The Side-by-Side Refrigerator is pictured in the attached photo. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-28.*