KC Architects: European Design Meets Chicago ExpertiseLed by licensed architect Katarzyna Cimoch, our firm delivers premium residential design solutions tailored to the modern homeowner. Whether you are building a custom dream home or reimagining your current space with a renovation or addition, we bridge the gap between timeless European sensibility and local American craftsmanship.Our Core ServicesCustom Home Design: Tailor-made residences from the ground up.Renovations & Additions: Seamlessly integrating new life into existing structures.Permit Management: Navigating the complex Chicago approval process for you.Construction Supervision: On-site oversight to ensure your vision is built to spec.Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestionAnswerHow long does the design process take?Typically 4-8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project.Do you handle permits?Yes, we manage the entire permitting and approval process with local authorities.What is your design style?We are versatile; we adapt to your preferences while maintaining timeless architectural principles.Do you work with contractors?We can recommend our trusted partners or collaborate with a contractor of your choice.Where do you offer services?We serve the entire Chicago area and the surrounding suburbs.Are initial consultations free?Yes, we offer complimentary initial consultations to discuss your vision.What is included in the plans?You receive complete construction documents and detailed specifications.How much do services cost?Fees are calculated based on the specific scope and complexity of your project.

Hygge – pronounced "hoo-ga" – is coziness. A way of living that emphasizes the importance of simplicity and unwinding. It's hospitality and warmth. But at DIRTT, it also means a living lab. The home is a giant test subject for the possibilities of prefabricated construction. The home demonstrates what's possible when traditional craftsmanship and modern technology combine. Complex angles and curves become a possibility. Exquisite finishes become reality when labor costs are flipped on their head. The home has become what it was meant to be all along; a place to gather with colleagues, Clients, family and friends to break bread and get to know one another.

IGLOO - Fontana Arte www.softsquare.com Igloo represents the great innovation in hanging spotlights. It is in fact a modular, self-supporting lighting system that, thanks to a series of electromechanical connections with curves and spacers, allows for consecutive linking of up to two hundred units without the need for any additional power cable. This gives the lighting designer the possibility of creating open, flexible compositions. The double shell in self-extinguishing plastic technopolymer allows for easy installation of the units, whether vertically or horizontally and in either case allows for the designer to choose uplighting or downlighting during installation. The system consists of linear and curve conjunctions, spacers, mechanical hanging and of wiring elements. Igloo therefore ensures versatile, infinitely replicable modularity. The system uses LEDs as the light source and is suitable for contract installation in the retail, hospitality, office and business sectors, where compositions can be as complex or as simple as required or in homes, with a more decorative effect. Versatility is the key to this product as it makes diffused lighting possible in rooms of any size and can meet any lighting requirement. Specific LED dimmers can be used for the Igloo element and relative systems. www.softsquare.com

Hygge – pronounced "hoo-ga" – is coziness. A way of living that emphasizes the importance of simplicity and unwinding. It's hospitality and warmth. But at DIRTT, it also means a living lab. The home is a giant test subject for the possibilities of prefabricated construction. The home demonstrates what's possible when traditional craftsmanship and modern technology combine. Complex angles and curves become a possibility. Exquisite finishes become reality when labor costs are flipped on their head. The home has become what it was meant to be all along; a place to gather with colleagues, Clients, family and friends to break bread and get to know one another.

Sitting aside the slopes of Windham Ski Resort in the Catskills, this is a stunning example of what happens when everything gels — from the homeowners’ vision, the property, the design, the decorating, and the workmanship involved throughout. An outstanding finished home materializes like a complex magic trick. You start with a piece of land and an undefined vision. Maybe you know it’s a timber frame, maybe not. But soon you gather a team and you have this wide range of inter-dependent ideas swirling around everyone’s heads — architects, engineers, designers, decorators — and like alchemy you’re just not 100% sure that all the ingredients will work. And when they do, you end up with a home like this. The architectural design and engineering is based on our versatile Olive layout. Our field team installed the ultra-efficient shell of Insulspan SIP wall and roof panels, local tradesmen did a great job on the rest. And in the end the homeowners made us all look like first-ballot-hall-of-famers by commissioning Design Bar by Kathy Kuo for the interior design. Doesn’t hurt to send the best photographer we know to capture it all. Pics from Kim Smith Photo.

- ANSEL SECTIONAL. Ansel is a luxury Italian furniture collection characterized by its high-end leather or fabric upholstery, finished with manually visible and individually placed buttons, in the following finishes: polished chrome, matte black, light gold matt antique gold or covered in leather and when is possible in velvet. Versatile modularity allows for various compositions: open corners can be used both in the angular composition of chaise longue and individual, with the possibility of having, on one side, a utility shelf made of onyx stone with adjustable internal lighting. The sophisticated Italian piece structure is made of wood with high strength elastic straps and high density polyurethane foam cover. The seat cushions are made of sterilized goose feather, with polyurethane foam insert at different heights. Feet made of painted aluminum in bronze. Taking into account the complexity of the structure the upholstery is not removable, while the seat cushion in leather or fabric is removable. Ansel follows perfectly the Glamour concepts. Made in Italy. https://cassoni.com/Luxury-Italian-Design-Ansel-Sectional-01

he LoculaMENTUM bookcase was designed to meld traditional bookcase appearance with a modern interpretation and a twist. This twist allows for books or other collectible items to be artfully arranged, categorized, presented. Diagonal compartments are the spine of the bookcase, so there is a progression of shapes: from the bottom to the top, creating an uplifting feel that has maximum storage capabilities. This is true to the Bauhaus principle, which denotes “form follows function”. In our bookcase design, warm traditional veneers paired with a modern finish and a versatile compartment proportioning make this piece of furniture one with the space. Beveled edges, visible from every notion, add a distinctive unique touch to the bookcase. A design element that is consistently used in our projects, which translates into sleek streamlined furniture designs.

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2015 Houzz
Living room - transitional living room idea in Seattle

Some materials work like a signature in a design. They leave a lasting impression through subtle detail and structure. Holland Stone has that timeless quality, rooted in simplicity and strength. Belgard Holland Stone is a classic rectangular paver that brings structure, rhythm, and versatility to any outdoor space. Its smooth finish and balanced scale allow for endless layout possibilities, from traditional running bond to striking herringbone patterns. Durable and dependable, it is ideal for walkways, driveways, borders, and decorative inlays. Now picture a space where every path has purpose and every line creates movement. Whether leading to a fire feature or outlining a garden lounge, this paver turns simple geometry into timeless style. It is a design element that brings balance to complexity and order to creativity. Great outdoor spaces are not always about grand gestures. Sometimes, they are built on the quiet strength of the details we choose to repeat, refine, and remember. Let’s explore how this material can bring your outdoor story to life. Schedule your consultation today: 516-522-8249

By smoothing the curve of the wall and redesigning the hand railing, we were able to create an entranceway that drew your eyes upwards. This would not have been possible without a Design Build team. While designing the custom angled scoop in the wall, and a custom recessed handrail, the biggest question for our team was “how do we actually build this”? We couldn’t find any examples that matched exactly what we envisioned, so our Design Build team found their own way! It was a collaborative and efficient effort; the biggest reward was making these deceivingly complex shapes feel effortless. Perhaps even more impressive is our completely seamless recessed hand railing!

By smoothing the curve of the wall and redesigning the hand railing, we were able to create an entranceway that drew your eyes upwards. This would not have been possible without a Design Build team. While designing the custom angled scoop in the wall, and a custom recessed handrail, the biggest question for our team was “how do we actually build this”? We couldn’t find any examples that matched exactly what we envisioned, so our Design Build team found their own way! It was a collaborative and efficient effort; the biggest reward was making these deceivingly complex shapes feel effortless. Perhaps even more impressive is our completely seamless recessed hand railing!

Photo: Ten Ten Creative
Wet bar - transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, black backsplash, subway tile backsplash and gray countertops

https://pipafineart.com/pages/amber-embrace-floral-photorealistic-digital-art-prints-and-backgrounds. This striking digitally created photorealistic artwork, aptly titled "Amber Embrace," presents a singular, vibrant orange daisy in an incredibly detailed close-up, emerging with dramatic elegance from a deep, velvety black background. The flower itself is a masterpiece of digital rendering, with each petal showcasing a rich spectrum of amber and copper hues, highlighted by subtle variations in light and shadow that lend it a remarkable, almost luminous three-dimensional quality. The intricate texture of the daisy's center is meticulously captured, adding depth and drawing the eye into its heart. The overall effect is one of bold beauty and profound serenity, emphasizing the delicate complexity of nature against a backdrop of compelling darkness. The photorealistic precision makes this artwork feel as if it were a high-definition photograph, yet it possesses the controlled artistic vision unique to digital creation. Amber Embrace Realism Painting Orange Color Floral Photorealistic Digital Artwork Canvas Print in Living Room Setting "Amber Embrace" is exceptionally versatile and can dramatically enhance a variety of interior spaces and decorating styles. In a modern or contemporary living room, its vivid orange against the deep black would serve as a powerful focal point, injecting a sophisticated burst of color and organic form that beautifully contrasts with minimalist furniture and clean lines. It offers a warmth that can prevent a modern space from feeling too stark. For a transitional design, which expertly blends classic comfort with contemporary elements, this artwork seamlessly integrates, providing both timeless floral appeal and a fresh, updated aesthetic. It could elegantly tie together varied textures and furniture styles. In a maximalist setting, where rich layers and bold statements are embraced, "Amber Embrace" would contribute a luxurious, jewel-toned element, perhaps complementing deep wall colors or ornate metallic accents.

Creating a home that supports your future doesn't always require leaving the neighborhood you love. Through thoughtful design-build planning, this nearly 1,000-square-foot addition transformed a traditional suburban home into a more adaptable retreat, adding a luxurious primary suite on the main level and a flexible lower-level space designed to evolve alongside the homeowners' needs. What began as a primary suite addition grew into a two-story expansion that balances comfort, privacy, and long-term versatility. The new suite offers the convenience of main-level living while taking advantage of the property's treetop views, creating a peaceful retreat connected to the surrounding landscape. Below, a dedicated ceramics studio supports the homeowners' creative pursuits today while being equipped with the infrastructure necessary for a future ADU conversion. Natural light and privacy were central design priorities throughout the project. Large windows and carefully positioned transoms capture views of surrounding greenery while limiting sightlines from neighboring homes. Even the placement of the fireplace and outdoor living spaces was thoughtfully adjusted to preserve these connections to nature. The success of this addition required extensive coordination behind the scenes. The steeply sloped property demanded retaining walls, significant foundation work, and careful site preparation before construction could begin. The team also integrated the addition with an existing deck, creating a seamless connection between new and existing outdoor spaces despite challenging grade changes and tight setback requirements. Adding another layer of complexity, HOA requirements and city regulations often conflicted, leading to multiple design revisions throughout the approval process. Through close collaboration between the homeowners, architect, and design-build team, the project successfully navigated these challenges while preserving the vision for the home. Inside, thoughtful finishes and carefully blended flooring transitions help the addition feel original to the house rather than an afterthought. Despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and several unexpected material substitutions, the project remained true to its design intent through flexible decision-making and close client collaboration. The result is a home designed for enjoyment today while thoughtfully preparing for the future. By combining a main-level primary suite, a hobby-focused studio space, and infrastructure for future adaptability, this addition creates flexibility for whatever chapter comes next.

Creating a home that supports your future doesn't always require leaving the neighborhood you love. Through thoughtful design-build planning, this nearly 1,000-square-foot addition transformed a traditional suburban home into a more adaptable retreat, adding a luxurious primary suite on the main level and a flexible lower-level space designed to evolve alongside the homeowners' needs. What began as a primary suite addition grew into a two-story expansion that balances comfort, privacy, and long-term versatility. The new suite offers the convenience of main-level living while taking advantage of the property's treetop views, creating a peaceful retreat connected to the surrounding landscape. Below, a dedicated ceramics studio supports the homeowners' creative pursuits today while being equipped with the infrastructure necessary for a future ADU conversion. Natural light and privacy were central design priorities throughout the project. Large windows and carefully positioned transoms capture views of surrounding greenery while limiting sightlines from neighboring homes. Even the placement of the fireplace and outdoor living spaces was thoughtfully adjusted to preserve these connections to nature. The success of this addition required extensive coordination behind the scenes. The steeply sloped property demanded retaining walls, significant foundation work, and careful site preparation before construction could begin. The team also integrated the addition with an existing deck, creating a seamless connection between new and existing outdoor spaces despite challenging grade changes and tight setback requirements. Adding another layer of complexity, HOA requirements and city regulations often conflicted, leading to multiple design revisions throughout the approval process. Through close collaboration between the homeowners, architect, and design-build team, the project successfully navigated these challenges while preserving the vision for the home. Inside, thoughtful finishes and carefully blended flooring transitions help the addition feel original to the house rather than an afterthought. Despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and several unexpected material substitutions, the project remained true to its design intent through flexible decision-making and close client collaboration. The result is a home designed for enjoyment today while thoughtfully preparing for the future. By combining a main-level primary suite, a hobby-focused studio space, and infrastructure for future adaptability, this addition creates flexibility for whatever chapter comes next.

Creating a home that supports your future doesn't always require leaving the neighborhood you love. Through thoughtful design-build planning, this nearly 1,000-square-foot addition transformed a traditional suburban home into a more adaptable retreat, adding a luxurious primary suite on the main level and a flexible lower-level space designed to evolve alongside the homeowners' needs. What began as a primary suite addition grew into a two-story expansion that balances comfort, privacy, and long-term versatility. The new suite offers the convenience of main-level living while taking advantage of the property's treetop views, creating a peaceful retreat connected to the surrounding landscape. Below, a dedicated ceramics studio supports the homeowners' creative pursuits today while being equipped with the infrastructure necessary for a future ADU conversion. Natural light and privacy were central design priorities throughout the project. Large windows and carefully positioned transoms capture views of surrounding greenery while limiting sightlines from neighboring homes. Even the placement of the fireplace and outdoor living spaces was thoughtfully adjusted to preserve these connections to nature. The success of this addition required extensive coordination behind the scenes. The steeply sloped property demanded retaining walls, significant foundation work, and careful site preparation before construction could begin. The team also integrated the addition with an existing deck, creating a seamless connection between new and existing outdoor spaces despite challenging grade changes and tight setback requirements. Adding another layer of complexity, HOA requirements and city regulations often conflicted, leading to multiple design revisions throughout the approval process. Through close collaboration between the homeowners, architect, and design-build team, the project successfully navigated these challenges while preserving the vision for the home. Inside, thoughtful finishes and carefully blended flooring transitions help the addition feel original to the house rather than an afterthought. Despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and several unexpected material substitutions, the project remained true to its design intent through flexible decision-making and close client collaboration. The result is a home designed for enjoyment today while thoughtfully preparing for the future. By combining a main-level primary suite, a hobby-focused studio space, and infrastructure for future adaptability, this addition creates flexibility for whatever chapter comes next.

Creating a home that supports your future doesn't always require leaving the neighborhood you love. Through thoughtful design-build planning, this nearly 1,000-square-foot addition transformed a traditional suburban home into a more adaptable retreat, adding a luxurious primary suite on the main level and a flexible lower-level space designed to evolve alongside the homeowners' needs. What began as a primary suite addition grew into a two-story expansion that balances comfort, privacy, and long-term versatility. The new suite offers the convenience of main-level living while taking advantage of the property's treetop views, creating a peaceful retreat connected to the surrounding landscape. Below, a dedicated ceramics studio supports the homeowners' creative pursuits today while being equipped with the infrastructure necessary for a future ADU conversion. Natural light and privacy were central design priorities throughout the project. Large windows and carefully positioned transoms capture views of surrounding greenery while limiting sightlines from neighboring homes. Even the placement of the fireplace and outdoor living spaces was thoughtfully adjusted to preserve these connections to nature. The success of this addition required extensive coordination behind the scenes. The steeply sloped property demanded retaining walls, significant foundation work, and careful site preparation before construction could begin. The team also integrated the addition with an existing deck, creating a seamless connection between new and existing outdoor spaces despite challenging grade changes and tight setback requirements. Adding another layer of complexity, HOA requirements and city regulations often conflicted, leading to multiple design revisions throughout the approval process. Through close collaboration between the homeowners, architect, and design-build team, the project successfully navigated these challenges while preserving the vision for the home. Inside, thoughtful finishes and carefully blended flooring transitions help the addition feel original to the house rather than an afterthought. Despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and several unexpected material substitutions, the project remained true to its design intent through flexible decision-making and close client collaboration. The result is a home designed for enjoyment today while thoughtfully preparing for the future. By combining a main-level primary suite, a hobby-focused studio space, and infrastructure for future adaptability, this addition creates flexibility for whatever chapter comes next.

Creating a home that supports your future doesn't always require leaving the neighborhood you love. Through thoughtful design-build planning, this nearly 1,000-square-foot addition transformed a traditional suburban home into a more adaptable retreat, adding a luxurious primary suite on the main level and a flexible lower-level space designed to evolve alongside the homeowners' needs. What began as a primary suite addition grew into a two-story expansion that balances comfort, privacy, and long-term versatility. The new suite offers the convenience of main-level living while taking advantage of the property's treetop views, creating a peaceful retreat connected to the surrounding landscape. Below, a dedicated ceramics studio supports the homeowners' creative pursuits today while being equipped with the infrastructure necessary for a future ADU conversion. Natural light and privacy were central design priorities throughout the project. Large windows and carefully positioned transoms capture views of surrounding greenery while limiting sightlines from neighboring homes. Even the placement of the fireplace and outdoor living spaces was thoughtfully adjusted to preserve these connections to nature. The success of this addition required extensive coordination behind the scenes. The steeply sloped property demanded retaining walls, significant foundation work, and careful site preparation before construction could begin. The team also integrated the addition with an existing deck, creating a seamless connection between new and existing outdoor spaces despite challenging grade changes and tight setback requirements. Adding another layer of complexity, HOA requirements and city regulations often conflicted, leading to multiple design revisions throughout the approval process. Through close collaboration between the homeowners, architect, and design-build team, the project successfully navigated these challenges while preserving the vision for the home. Inside, thoughtful finishes and carefully blended flooring transitions help the addition feel original to the house rather than an afterthought. Despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and several unexpected material substitutions, the project remained true to its design intent through flexible decision-making and close client collaboration. The result is a home designed for enjoyment today while thoughtfully preparing for the future. By combining a main-level primary suite, a hobby-focused studio space, and infrastructure for future adaptability, this addition creates flexibility for whatever chapter comes next.

Creating a home that supports your future doesn't always require leaving the neighborhood you love. Through thoughtful design-build planning, this nearly 1,000-square-foot addition transformed a traditional suburban home into a more adaptable retreat, adding a luxurious primary suite on the main level and a flexible lower-level space designed to evolve alongside the homeowners' needs. What began as a primary suite addition grew into a two-story expansion that balances comfort, privacy, and long-term versatility. The new suite offers the convenience of main-level living while taking advantage of the property's treetop views, creating a peaceful retreat connected to the surrounding landscape. Below, a dedicated ceramics studio supports the homeowners' creative pursuits today while being equipped with the infrastructure necessary for a future ADU conversion. Natural light and privacy were central design priorities throughout the project. Large windows and carefully positioned transoms capture views of surrounding greenery while limiting sightlines from neighboring homes. Even the placement of the fireplace and outdoor living spaces was thoughtfully adjusted to preserve these connections to nature. The success of this addition required extensive coordination behind the scenes. The steeply sloped property demanded retaining walls, significant foundation work, and careful site preparation before construction could begin. The team also integrated the addition with an existing deck, creating a seamless connection between new and existing outdoor spaces despite challenging grade changes and tight setback requirements. Adding another layer of complexity, HOA requirements and city regulations often conflicted, leading to multiple design revisions throughout the approval process. Through close collaboration between the homeowners, architect, and design-build team, the project successfully navigated these challenges while preserving the vision for the home. Inside, thoughtful finishes and carefully blended flooring transitions help the addition feel original to the house rather than an afterthought. Despite pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and several unexpected material substitutions, the project remained true to its design intent through flexible decision-making and close client collaboration. The result is a home designed for enjoyment today while thoughtfully preparing for the future. By combining a main-level primary suite, a hobby-focused studio space, and infrastructure for future adaptability, this addition creates flexibility for whatever chapter comes next.