12/12 Architects & Planners

38 Reviews

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Downers Grove, IL

Contact Info:

Cinda K. Lester, AIA, NCARB, AICP
644 67th Street
Downers Grove, IL 60516

Typical Job Costs:

$25,000 - 10 million
Our Fees are generally determined through an hourly-not-to-exceed cost basis, calculated after initial interview, and provided in our written Letter of Agreement. 12/12 Architects accepts cash, check, or credit card payments.

Category:

Architects and Building Designers

License Number:

184-007799, 001-018384

Best of Houzz Winning Premier Illinois Custom Residential Architect

page_type: prop_plus_profile

12/12 Architects & Planners LLC began with one small project 16 years ago. Since then, our client base has grown, along with the size and scope of our work - everything from front porches to brand new homes. Working in our own back yard to all over the area - we're growing, and happily so. We're also regular people, living in a regular house in a regular neighborhood. Family and community are important. When you say that you desperately need more storage for the kids' toys, we understand. When you say that you can't stand your dining room for one more holiday get together, we know what you mean. We can help. We specialize in the the design of custom residential homes, including new construction and addition/remodeling, with a focus on small projects, curb appeal, historic restoration, aging-in-place and the "Not So Big" genre. We'd love to help you make your house your home. Cinda K. Lester graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Architecture, and the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Master of Urban Planning and Policy. Specializations were art, affordable housing, physical planning, and community development. Henri LamBeau graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Architecture. 12/12 Architects is licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, and other states upon request.

Services Provided

3D Rendering, Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Attic Conversion, Basement Design, Basement Remodeling, Bathroom Design, Building Design, Deck Design, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Green Building, Handicap-Accessible Design, Historic Building Conservation, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, Home Restoration, House Plans, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Remodeling, Laundry Room Design, Mudroom Design, Multigenerational Homes, New Home Construction, Pool House Design & Construction, Rooftop Deck Installation, Space Planning, Staircase Design, Structural Engineering, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Custom Homes, Construction Drawings, 3D Home Design, Remodeling, Spec Homes

Areas Served

Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Countryside, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Indian Head Park, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lemont, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, Warrenville, Westchester, Western Springs, Westmont, Wheaton, Winfield, Woodridge, Oak Brook, Willow Springs, Willowbrook, Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park, Wilmette, Deefield, Gurnee, Libertyville, Winnetka, Glencoe, Barrington, Oak Park, Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich, Clarendon Hills, Deer Park, Lake Geneva WI, Elkhorn WI, Delavan WI, Twin Lakes WI, Williams Bay WI, Fontana WI

Awards

AIA Northeast Illinois Associate Architect of the Year - 2000.

35 Projects for 12/12 Architects & Planners

Linden Cir | New Home

Springside Ave | New Home

Bunning Dr | Addition

Fairmount Ave | Addition

40 photos

Downers Grove, IL

Fairview Ave | Addition

75 photos

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38 Reviews for 12/12 Architects & Planners

HU-414459053

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Jul 2019

Project Price

$50,000 - $100,000

Cinda listened to our needs and requirements and designed a great family room/mud room for us! She helped us through a design process that needed multiple changes because of Village requirements. Cinda was patient and helpful as we navigated the permit process with her.

April 24, 2019

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thank you for the kind words. We look forward to seeing the completed construction!

April 25, 2019Last modified:April 25, 2019

lbgeiger

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Apr 2016

Project Price

$50,000 - $100,000

I started working with Cinda in December of 2014. My parents and I were working on our first gut/renovation of a Chicago-style bungalow. We had a set budget and were able to transform the entire house. I never imagined my home to be so modern, comfortable, and absolutely perfect for my family. We were working with tight spaces, small closets, and an unfinished basement. Cinda gently guided us through the unforeseen obstacles that inevitably occur with old homes. The contractors she recommended (Ed Chvostra and Jeff Payne) literally walked us through each change. My parents and I also added a bit of sweat equity. Through creativity, collaboration, patience, and financial savvy, I know we made the best decision for my teenagers, pups, and me (with frequent visits from my parents!)

December 31, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thank you so much! We loved working with you and your family. Your house is a perfect example of great design being more important than a lot of space. We all worked together to get you functional but still beautiful spaces without adding any square footage to the compact home. We are so happy you’re happy!

January 2, 2019Last modified:January 3, 2019

Lisa Reichardt

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Apr 2018

Project Price

more than $100,000

As a single homeowner who knew nothing about planning an addition, I really felt comfortable and confident with Cinda. She was very professional and very relatable and I was able to understand what I needed to do with her guidance. She listened to me and came up with excellent plans and in the end, the project turned out exactly how I wanted it. She also helped me with some construction details and gave advice. I wanted the addition to look as it belonged to the 1922 home and it does. My neighbors all complemented me on the addition.

December 29, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thanks so much, Lisa! We loved working on your project. It fits so well with the original home. We are so glad you love it!

January 2, 2019Last modified:January 3, 2019

alwanderer

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Sep 2012

Project Price

less than $1,000

We hired Cinda to rework the layout of the first floor in our split level home. She gave us some great suggestions and was able to give us a design that GREATLY improved our home’s live-ability. We’d hire her for another project in a heartbeat.

December 26, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thanks so much! We loved working on your project. And it’s proof that no job is too small to make a big impact. We look forward to working with you again on your upcoming projects!

December 27, 2018Last modified:December 28, 2018

Tanya Marquez

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Dec 2018

Project Price

more than $100,000

Cinda and 12/12 did an amazing job anticipating our needs in a complex multifamily project. We moved my In-laws in, (my father in law with Alzheimer's), and their new space couldn't be more perfect! It meets our now needs with his care and our future needs. Cinda did a wonderful job aiding us in the design process throughout the project!

December 19, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thanks so much, Tanya! We loved with working with you - and ALL the family - to make your home the space it needed to be for each and every one of you. Fitting 2 homes into 1 is always a challenge, but I think what we worked out works so well for you all.

December 19, 2018Last modified:December 20, 2018

Nate Mowry

Relationship

Colleague

Project Date

Jul 2018

Project Price

$1,000 - $9,999

Since 2012 I have worked with Cinda on many residential projects ranging from simple deck additions to new custom homes. She is a very capable architect and always puts together complete and detailed construction documents.

July 13, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thanks so much, Nate. You are our go-to engineer of choice, every time!

July 16, 2018

Lorinda Guenther-Wright

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Jan 2018

Project Price

more than $100,000

We began our journey with Cinda more than a year ago when we bought a piece of property and contracted her to design our new construction. The project has been complex because our needs were very specific, and we had to pack a lot of house into a limited square footage. Cinda has been an absolute pleasure to work with. She answered every one of many phone calls and emails, and she used her extensive experience to help us avoid any number of potential pitfalls. She also helped make the city's review process relatively painless. We have been really happy with her design choices and her suggestions for solving some pretty difficult design problems. We recommend working with 12/12 Architects!

July 13, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thank you so much, Lorinda! I can't wait to see your house construction start next month. It's been a labor of love for all of us, and it's been a joy working with you guys!

July 16, 2018

Ange Blust

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Apr 2018

Project Price

more than $100,000

I hired Cinda to help us with a 2nd floor addition (first time project for us) - we were VERY specific in regards to the budget we had set and we were looking for her guidance to keep us on target. I interviewed several architects and felt that she was the one who really listened to our objectives. Very disappointed to say that she did not meet our expectations, in fact, I would not recommend her services. When we finally realized that the cost to complete the project was greater than the cost of the house, we had to scrap the project and Cinda handed us a total bill for $9000 (her total bill was projected to be about $10K). In the end, we learned a very expensive and valuable lesson. We do take some responsibility but we also felt that Cinda did not provide the guidance and/services we thought she should have provided.

July 9, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Angela, it is unfortunate your project did not turn out the way either of us expected. In our conversations — as our contract also states — we do not provide construction cost estimates, and bill only for our professional time drawing and consulting. You were billed for the hours used to date. Those hours amounted to 65% of the estimated total, when the contract estimated 70% of the estimated total at this point in design - so we were 5% below estimated fees and ahead of schedule. The other fees you were invoiced were for Additional Services that you requested - and I discounted those by over 25%, as well. We provided a wide variety of design options for the proposed work, based on your expectations for size, scope and budget, all of which we discussed with you and your chosen contractor. In the end, we provided you the design for the house you wanted, and you chose not to proceed. As with all our clients, we do our best to meet clear goals and expectations, and felt we discussed the impacts of those changes on construction costs at every opportunity. We very much enjoyed working with you in designing your home addition, and would have loved to see this project through fruition. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

July 13, 2018

Michael Bellezza Builders Inc

Relationship

Colleague

Project Date

Aug 2017

Project Price

more than $100,000

As a local custom home builder and remodeling company. We were very pleased to work together with 12/12 Architects on a project this past year. They are extremely professional and knowledgeable in their trade. Their attention to detail and design was exceptional! I look forward to working together with them again on future projects!

January 15, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thanks, Mike! We have enjoyed working with you in the past as well, and look forward to completing many great projects in the future!

January 16, 2018

David Thiel

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Mar 2018

Project Price

more than $100,000

I am writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Cinda Lester and 12/12 Architects & Planners, with whom I worked with on the remodeling of our home. I hired Cinda as the architect to design and remodel of our home after meeting with many other firms. Cinda demonstrated extreme professionalism and responsiveness to our needs and questions. The renovations were very complex. Cinda proved the ability to suggest great design ideas, integrate our ideas to the city requirements and develop a great set of plans. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Cinda again and I do not have any hesitation in recommending her and the firm services.

January 2, 2018Last modified:January 2, 2018

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thank you so much, David. We can't wait to see your stunning house transformation completed in 2018!

January 4, 2018

Dana MacKenzie

Relationship

Client

Project Date

Mar 2016

Project Price

$10,000 - $49,999

We completely renovated a foreclosure home. Cinda was a pleasure to work with and was always upfront and fair. She was able to give plans for our entire home quickly and with different option which was a huge help. We love our end result and can tell she truly cared about our home. The small company was a great fit for our project. I would highly recommend this company!

November 7, 2017

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thank you so much, Dana! We loved working on your project. A real game-changer for how you're able to live in the home. I'll be uploading the finished photos this weekend!

November 9, 2017

Alpine Ridge Builders, LLC

Relationship

Colleague

Project Date

Jan 2017

Project Price

$50,000 - $100,000

As both a designer and general contractor, we have had the pleasure of working with 12/12 Architects & Planners through all facets of planning, design and construction. We have worked together previously on many projects and would highly suggest 12/12 for your next improvement. We've collaborated closely with 12/12 on each of those projects and have found that their well rounded and extensive knowledge base and experience has allowed for seamless transition from the design and permitting phase to construction and has also allowed for quick and efficient solutions to the inevitable bumps that arise along the construction road. We highly and completely recommend 12/12 Architects.

November 3, 2017Last modified:November 9, 2017

Comment from 12/12 Architects & Planners:

Thank you so much, guys! We love working with you, too. And if the 4 projects you built for my clients in 2017 are any indication, we'll working together for a very long time!

November 7, 2017

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61 Comments

Commented: Can you tell me the color of the shutters and front door?Thanks for your question. I'm sorry I don't have the exact color reference, but they are all a standard, basic black.

May 21, 2019

Commented: What is the wall color?Thanks for your question, Carol. Unfortunately I don't have the color information available. I'm fairly certain it's a Sherwin Williams color, so you might want to try their Color Snap app feature t...

February 22, 2019

Commented: OMG!!! i love you shelfThanks for your question. We love this room too! The width of the room shown here is 11'-6". There is a standard 8' ceiling at the perimeter, and it slopes up to approximately 11' in the cente...

November 21, 2018

Commented: How soon will you have pictures available?Thanks for your inquiry! This project is in the final design phases - with construction hopefully to start in the next couple of months.

April 30, 2018

Commented: Love the vanity. Where is it from?Thanks for the question! I don't have that information available, but I can ask the homeowner and get back to you.

April 24, 2018

Commented: the rectangular dining light fixture.I'm sorry that I don't have that information available at this time. I can ask the client and get back to you. Thanks for your inquiry!

April 15, 2018

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