Arlene Warda Architecture+Interior Design

We have been working with Arlene since last spring on our house a new addition project and are very happy with her work and her responsive. Before that we were looking at several architects we felt her process with clear, well layout and happy with her plans. Plus she has done recent work for us and for friends. We now have bid drawings after a very successful design process. All designs were presented were very good. We finally chose one idea and one plan we wanted and one that encompasses all our ideas. We had ideas in mind which we brought to this as inspiration to this process. We were also able and got ample time to preview M,E,P, mechanical electrical and plumbing drawings. We got to review and choose layout designs. Electrical lights and outlets. She was helpful and was able to answer any questions with regarding to code. We like the idea proposed in the proposal plan that we get choose our and have freedom to choose our own products. Light fixtures, and kitchen and bath products. This was very helpful to us. As we are designers. The previous contractors recommended had over 20+ years of experience with Arlene and her projects. They came with highly rated reviews on their pages and solid work references. These were established contractors. We liked and valued Arlene's communication style. We get answers and phone call promptly in one day and usually in only with an hour to under half a day. We are very, very happy with plans and plan to use her on our next house and our other projects! Her work is beautiful and we love our house!...

After viewing and interviewing several architect's we liked the visual project portfolio and presentation style of Arlene's projects. We chose Arlene because she is visually based and like her many years of experience in residential architect. She has a simple contract one user friendly and her phone contact and emails are promptly returned each day. For our house she created a complete and beautiful interpretation of our list for our house design! She presented out numerous plan ideas and all were beautiful and inspiring to us! We are now in the final stages of our house building project and all is going well. We plan to work with Arlene on the next projects on our house after this!...

We have been working with Arlene for the last year. We have a historic two flat and we are now duplexing expanding into the basement. We are putting two new bedrooms and a family room with new master suite and bath in our lower level. Things with the new plans are going very well. We love the new layout and plans. All the suggestions as ideas worked great respect to layout, along with ideas for tile and fixtures. We choose some on our own and went with some products Arlene suggested and sent on line. We happily reviewed our budget and Arlene welcomed any changes we needed with revisions made for cost and keeping with budget. She met all the deadlines. If we had had questions about code they were answered promptly. Any questions We needed to ask to the city where answered usually within one day or the next day. Most importantly the project looks great as it greatly improved our house! We own several properties and plan to use Arlene again after this!

We have a 1960's ranch and our house project was and addition for the kitchen and a new master bath. We had this done years ago with plans drawn and designed by Arlene. We liked the design as it was built and it works perfectly with what's there as far as our house. This was a very good solution as layout. Our house and plans were much better with these plans designed by Arlene. We are continuing our relationship now online as she even had reference plans in her computer one from 15 years ago which she came in person and recently updated. The permit process was easy and will be easy again it is all online now. We had no changes or updates after permit review to our design. Arlene was friendly and returned all our calls. We definitely plan to move forward with her on our next project! We highly recommend Arlene!

We have lived in a single house one which has a remodeling and addition by Arlene. We are very happy with the design a new family room and kitchen addition design to our historic style house. We loved the presentation and our new remodeling and addition. We called her again after 25 years! We sent all the latest information, including pictures, a video and Google docs. She had the floor plans on file. Updating on the computer was done as we had changes in the field. Friendly phone conversation and prompt return of calls within half a day, usually within the hour. We found Arlene very personable and open to any questions we may have. Any options on questions code were answered by email. We were glad to see in these modern day these permit drawings could be emailed! No more printed sets of large plans or prints were required. We liked the new modern system of submitting uploading and emailing plans. All questions were answered ones requested by the building department. We also liked the idea of fixed price contract. Very usable and easy simple to read. Most of all we are happy with this second project on the second floor as plans for our remodeling and addition and are going to continue as a second phase to our house in the spring. It fits elegantly with the rest of house as a traditional design. Looks like it as a space was always meant to be. We highly recommend Arlene for her wonderful plans and her prompt service and look forward to our new phase in the spring!

I do not recommend Arlene Warda. I had an interior renovation project to create a master ensuite. Arlene provided promising thoughts in the beginning like her scope of work would take 6-8 weeks and she could help me with fixtures and choosing contractors. I found it extremely difficult to work with Arlene. She visited our house only once the first week of the project and spent relatively little time in the space itself, causing her to miss material points I communicated multiple times. She did present multiple options but not initially the exact one I had specifically requested. Her 3 phases of drawings took over 14 weeks. She didn’t thoroughly read emails resulting in my correcting the same points multiple times. She didn’t use Excel or Google docs. Documents she sent had inconsistencies between the different versions. Arlene offered me 3 levels of service and I went for the middle to provide assistance with fixtures, finishes and choosing contractors. The only design help she provided was to send me to Houzz.com so I ended up doing my own research and selection. Her contractor help was 2 names (neither with reviews). I did my own RFP because her template was not detailed and hadn’t addressed points I asked her to include. Her emails often said “this is not in my scope of work” or “that’s extra” or “I don’t provide that service.” She wanted me to hire a mechanical engineer. I contacted the Village who confirmed a mechanical engineer was not needed. I did hire a structural engineer she recommended and that person didn’t even come to the house to do his 1-page report for $800. Arlene’s “responsiveness” was spending a lot of time emailing me why she wouldn’t do something or why she wanted to do things her way. Many things were not communicated in advance and she never once picked up the phone to call me during the project when I emailed her that I was upset and unhappy with working with her. She refused my offers to come back to my house to see the spaces or to meet in person. She rejected my proposal to use a neutrally written contract. Despite the signed contract saying she would provide me with a hard copy and email with everything to submit for the permits, she wanted to charge me to print and messenger the drawings. She planned to submit them electronically to the Village despite me having explicitly told her I didn’t want her to do that without me seeing the documents first. Her final Phase 3 documents contained errors on her part which is exactly why I wanted to see things in advance. She only accepts payment in advance by check or Zelle. In the end, I was able to get the permits and do the construction without any further involvement from her after I received copies of the documents. The GC I found noted that Arlene’s drawings didn’t contain complete measurements. I worked directly with my GC to make improvements to Arlene’s work. I wished early on that I could get out of my contract with Arlene.

Ms. Arlene Warda: I reached out to Ms. Warda from online and it was a blessing and I didn’t even know it. We are in the process of constructing a new 3 flat building. She was just amazing and very pleasant. Ms. Warda answered all my question and concerns I had about this project. Her enthusiasm and willing to share her ideas and listen to my ideas to make this project successful. I’m planning to move forward with this project and working hand and hand with Ms. Warda. Thank you so much. Kenneth Pickens

We reached out to Arlene with adding to our home. We looking to add a large master bedroom and bath addition. With our growing family the current family bath no longer met our needs. Our new master bedroom plan and new master bath with walk in closets looks beautiful. Arlene was helpful and friendly. The plans are now complete. We heard from Arlene and plans were presented timely and within our schedule. This firm is very prompt. We are excited and looking forward to our addition! I will update the post once the job is completed:) -Tamara L.

We have been working for the past year on our highly anticipated project with Arlene! The project is a house we now have is a 1960's one story midcentury home with a carport. Our project is a new carport and front exterior and front entry makeover with driveway and some landscaping. The solutions presentated were beautiful,and a great change and brings our house into the present. The new front and carport design are really a change and a major improvement. All our designs were delivered in a timely fashion. Arlene was responsive to all our questions by phone and by email. She has been friendly and fun to work with. Our designs look great! We look forward to seeing this long awaited project for a final installation for next year

We have been working on our two story greystone two flat into single family residence for the past year on our project with Arlene! The project especially the new design of the new kitchen is the project we've always dreamed of. We now have a large open plan living and dining room and in-laws suite on the first floor. The master suite and bath are exactly as we wanted. She was able to work with us and our sketches and our ideas. The design plans were beautiful, and nothing as far as space was taken for granted. All spaces we wanted were addressed. It brings a great change to the property and into the present. Arlene was responsive to all our questions by phone and by email. She remains friendly and easy to work with. We look forward to seeing this long awaited project for a final installation for next year!

Arlene is extremely detail-oriented and passionate about her work and producing a great outcome for the client. Her responsiveness is incredible. After our first meeting, which was midweek, she had initial drawings early the following week. She put in substantial hours over the weekend (and many other weekends). She was always willing to make revisions as the project evolved and was happy to draw up many different designs to we could picture what the project final would look like. She was full of excellent ideas that we would never have thought of on our own. I highly recommend Arlene. Five Stars.

Arlene completed a design for a deck on our house in Wilmette. The drawings appear to be high quality. Our contractor was able to use them to bid. We correspond on and receive responses within a day with regard to our project."

In the past I have done several rehab projects on the south-east side of Chicago, and in the South Shore area. Miss Arlene Warda as very professionally helped me get through some of the pre-construction process headaches when it comes to architectural specs, permitting, and City zoning issues. A good long standing business relationship_ & 2017 has been no different. Whether large or small projects, Arlene always seems to be attentive and responsive to customer needs!...

Our construction firm has been creating commercial, residential and institutional projects in Chicagoland for many years. Ms. Warda has provided our firm with multiple opportunities to develop her Architectural concepts into constructed realities for the Client. In each and every case; a very pleased and excited client.

I am an attorney in private practice in Park Ridge and had a client who had to complete a project redo in the city to bring the project in line with all the appropriate zoning/building codes. It had become clear to me that an architect was needed to oversee this job. I found Arlene's website and she seemed perfect for the job. Arlene not only personally answered the call late on a friday but gave my client and I a wonderful consultation understanding immediately that time was of the essence and immediately showed an excellant understanding of the labyrinth of the permit process and knowledge of the entire Chicago building code. We sent Arlene client's preliminary drawings and within two days, Arlene had a complete and thorough proposal that was excellant. Arlene kept client and my office posted throughout the entire process and simply has excellant communication skills and ethics. She was also very reasonable and willing to work within Client's constraints. Arlene took care of everything! And displayed consummate professionalism throughout. I highly recommend Arlene for anyone contemplating a project who wants someone who will take care of every detail and is a pleasure to work with.

We have received her design plans and permit drawings from Arlene.. The owner's loved the design and were impressed in the fast turnaround. The work level and design were more than anticipated. The intelligence and hard work is there! Her communication and design are very good and very good for us as contractors to read.

Arlene designed a beautiful well thought out addition to my home. I was very impressed with her attention to detail and my wishes to stay on budget. I highly recommended her and her team and will be calling on her for future projects.

Since I met Arlene Warda in 1999, she has consistently produced elegant and sophisticated designs in a simple, coherent, and detailed form. Over the twenty-two years I have been a general contractor, Arlene's designs have always stood out as a great value. I highly recommend Arlene for her skill, clarity, and ability to produce excellent designs for any size project. Robert, iRenovate Inc

irst of all I would like to say I (love and admire) Arlene's work. Very impressive! I have had a building, I own as an investment property. 4 units and I live in one. I have interest in art, and design. For our building, we had previous zoning and permit issues we inheirited from the previous owner. Our apartments were never permitted. It seemed like an awesome undertaking. I then hired Arlene recently this fall 2014 and we got a proposal within a day or so of the call. The price was right, plus we needed help immediately! We definately had a deadline to convert our units for the City. The plans after they were measured by Arlene and her team were available in 1 week. All the floors were done. We got help filling out our permit and E-plan, the city filing system for permit. We got help with the zoning and paying the zoning fee. Everything was document and we even got receipt from Arlene to confirm all upload had been done. The plans for the building are beautiful! More important they are on time! We met our deadline and now are ok with the City. Arlene was friendly, professional and easy to work with! I already recommended her to a friend! and I would highly, highly recommend her to others and any and all of our friends!! Vincent G.

I have really liked working with Arlene! We have a house in Oak Park. The back of our house needed work, deck was old and needed a full rebuild. Although we had architectural plans already done, they needed updating. We love Arlene's new plans. The design has new elements, yet we kept the same target budget and were consistent with design. She has always promptly responded with her phone calls, and emails, usually within one day, or the next day. Always friendly and helpful! She will go to any extent to help us both with understanding design and also filing for our Village of Oak Park permits. We look forward to our project finishing and look forward to recommending Arlene for future projects!

Arlene Warda, was very helpful and very professional. She guided me thought the entire project and crossed all Tee and dotted all I's. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing a Architect.

I am excited to work on a new house with Arlene. It is in the South Pacific region!. I have lived in several countries around the world, and now I live in Seoul, Korea; I am glad to finally start this project! I have seen Arlene’s work and am happy and surprised to see Arlene’s projects, after knowing her for 40+ years. We both lived overseas, and met in Beirut, Lebanon, while living and attending overseas schools, in childhood. After 40+ years we just became reacquainted. Arlene’s work and contributions are creative and amazing and her talent is extraordinaire! She maintains a friendly, positive and fun outlook on all her Projects. We talk often! And about this project! I already bought the lot, and own a piece of land we will be working on, And are making plans for pre-site preparation and provisions The pictures of the lot are attached.

I worked on projects recently and in 2013 with Arlene on our downtown housing projects including renovations for investment over the last 5 years. Other projects are in neighborhoods, such as Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and north Chicago neighborhood areas. I am an urban planner by trade and education, and have also worked for City of Chicago, Deming, New Mexico and Arlington, Texas. I currently run my own planning and development consulting firm Orozco Consultant Services (OCS) and I am Director of Business Development for Raw Energy Materials, Corp dedicated to provide alternative and sustainable solutions and products to urban infrastructure www.newrebar.com. Education: Masters Degree, Urban Planning & Policy, University of Illinois – Chicago, IL Bachelor of Arts, Economics & Business Law, Northeastern University – Chicago, IL Certifications:Economic Development Leadership, City of Chicago; Leadership and Effective Presentation Skills (Institute and Employee Development Center, City of Chicago); Web-GIS (Geographic Information Systems); ArcGIS; Mapinfo: Citywide Infrastructure Management Systems (CWIMS) Experience: More than fifteen-years of urban planning, policy, economic development and political lobbying experience in Chicago, Washington, DC, New Mexico, Texas, and Latin America. Worked with government agencies, developers, businesses, community organizations and elected officials on urban and regional issues Helped forge and promote economic development and cross-cultural relations between the US and Mexico. I am very happy with the work Arlene has done over 5 years, and pleased with her response of schedule, and work in items submitted to the City of Chicago. Our projects are now finalized and we are now going to start new projects! Alex Orozco

I had the opportunity to work with Arlene on our much anticipated and exciting downtown house project, a renovation for investment. The project near west side in Bucktown, was a turn-century-of-century brick two flat. It has a full two story coach house in the back. The project in it current state needed to be converted to our modern style. a complete open plan, for living, dining, kitchen, new baths throughout, as well as complete 3rd story addition on top and front facade with modern new look. This had to face the newly renovated coachhouse, apartment and downtown city backyard. The project and plans were done in a week's time! and plans were beyond our expectations for developing and selling the property. We like Arlene's working style, which inspires us with new ideas yet takes in all our list, our journal, and our comments for the project into consideration, all in the same project. We like prompt, fast service!. and we got it!.. All with all our responses delivered in a turn in a quick turnaround basis! We thought the design had great value and we hope to keep working with Arlene, on our downtown, modern inspired style, downtown city projects!

My fiance & I have lived in a little old Cape Cod on Chicago's Northwest Side for 11 years. We had outgrown our house & were trying to decide whether to move or do something with the existing house. We had been out looking at many houses, but just couldn't find something that beat our current location. We also had looked over many house plans & couldn't find something to fit our narrow lot. We chose to consult with an Architect to see what the possibilites would be to add on & rework our existing space. We hired Arlene Warda based on pictures of her work that we had seen. Having a vintage Cape Cod we knew she was the right choice with her experience in transforming little old houses into spectacular living spaces. What Arlene came up with based on our preferences was a transformation of the existing house into a French Country Cottage. Arlene was very knowledgable of zoning regulations in our area & was able to come up with a design that met our needs functionally as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Her attention to detail was outstanding. My fiance had specific materials in mind for the project & she was able to answer all of our questions or put us in touch with contractors who could. Arlene is capable in all aspects of the design process from the new exterior all the way down to helping with interior selections. The design that she came up with was completely custom to fit our lifestyle & needs. Ultimately we decided to move so that we could have more land rather than go through with the construction project & we are definately keeping Arlene Warda in mind for any future housing projects. It was a great experience to see what the possibilities would have been for a renovation.

We have a residential project done, our own house, done in the city.. last year in 2012, we have had Arlene working with us and known her work product for 6 years! Our favorite magazines, subscriptions are Elle Decor, House Beautiful! and collected other clippings on the way...ready for for our own home. We were open to Arlene's ideas in addition to our inspriations!...We were wowed by it her presentation of our new house and floor plans, and her inspirational detail! ...Our design is beautiful! one of a kind. We think it is beyond compare! Also a careful attention to budget was made. We got an estimate from our builder, everything worked out and was consiouncious to our budget, with very little change!...We love living in our new home!... We also have investment properties, old homes with Arlene now completed. We have used other architects in the past, but plan to stay working with Arlene for her exceptional work quality. She inspires us with bringing her work quality, fresh ideas to each and every quality project with an exceptional on time turnaround!....

We have worked together with Arlene since 2006, six years now. I liked the way everything on our project, (our 3 flat investment Wicker Park renovation and a new single family house, new construction, design on the North Side, Chicago) They were presented with fresh and current ideas. We had open communication and presentation of ideas and our inspiration plans, photos. We like modern inspired designs. We were keeped informed of project, in terms of price, quality and materials. Options, creativity are most important to us. We plan to give her our next projects after this!

We have spent three years designing our backyard façade porch project design with Arlene. I am a designer, interior designer and stage set designer by occupation, so I came with my own ideas, sketches and computer dwg.’s. We have collaborated and Arlene who assisted us on design and City of Chicago codes from the preliminaries. We have been very happy and delighted with the work! Our design Is one of a kind, creative and suits the house, and existing two story Victorian in Edgewater. We love it, love it, love it! It is both made for our outdoor entertaining, dining, cooking and exiting needs. The way everything on our project was presented fresh and current with ideas, and fits smoothly with our house. After 3 years new buyers came when our house went it was for sale and thought the house was exactly what they wanted with the new backyard façade porch idea. It really sold our house! We had open communication and presentation of ideas and were keep informed of project, in terms of price, quality and materials. We plan to give her our next house project we are purchasing after this!

We have worked with Arlene as our architect since 2004. 8 years. She has done several buildings with us. We are happy with the high quality work. We started with a three story existing building project renovation which is a turn-of-the-century brick walkup as investment project. We planned converting it to condo units, with modern amenities, and have worked on the project with Arlene for the last three years, and have been happy with our project and design. We updated the kitchens, baths, and mechanical. And opened walls in each level. We had chosen a contractor before hand, as summer approached we where on a strict time schedule, for preparations to present a and sell our property. The plans were presented timely, and we got our permit dwg.’s within two weeks after we approved the design with Arlene. This was enough time to get it to permit and Construction phase for the summer. We have plans for future investment properties after this and more renovating, and like our relationship with Arlene. We plan to use her again to design new projects for us after this!

We have a small house in Riverside. It is about 1,000 sf. It is a split level modern house built in the 1950's. We wanted an open plan concept with a cathedral ceiling. We removed wall to new ceiling, creating an upstairs loft. The project was completed in 2001.We have lived in it for 11 years! We love the plan and the cathedral ceiling 16' high. Our room is now open 20'x24', with new skylights above the living room. Arlene was a terrific help. We got our plans on time during the design phase, and got our permits without any new work or any changes to our design. We have enjoyed our redesigned home for the past 11 years and would definitely recommend Arlene to our friends!