Kipnis Architecture + Planning

Architects

About Us

Recognized as Chicago’s and Boulder, Colorado's premier award winning sustainable architectural practice, Kipnis Architecture + Planning is guided by the idea that architectural design excellence need not be sacrificed for principles of sustainability. Rather, we believe green design expands the possibilities for innovative architectural forms, construction methods and the use of materials. A particular expertise is the architectural integration of passive solar and bioclimatic design. We are early signatories to the AIA's 2030 Commitment, rigorously working towards having our projects be 'net zero' for their energy use by 2030. Stylistically, our designs are the synthesis of the client's wishes and the site's context. We excel at modern, transitional, and historic aesthetics. Recent projects include work in a Net Positive home in Chicago, a LEED Platinum Residences in Evanston, IL and Glencoe, IL, an award-winning vacation home in Wisconsin and several historic renovations in Chicago and along the North Shore.

Services Provided

3D Rendering, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Architectural Design, Building Design, Custom Home, Energy-Efficient Homes, Green Building, Guesthouse Design & Construction, Historic Building Conservation, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, Home Restoration, Multigenerational Homes, New Home Construction, Passive Solar Heating & Cooling, Pool House Design & Construction, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Custom Homes, 3D Home Design, Remodeling, LEED Certified Projects, Resilient Design

Areas Served

Bannockburn, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Glenview Nas, Golf, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, River Grove, Riverwoods, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Barrington, South Barrington, Barrington Hills, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Kildeer, Long Grove, Lake Geneva WI, Saugatuck MI, Charlevoix MI, Petoskey MI, Traverse City MI, New Buffalo MI, Union MI, Bridgeman MI, Boulder CO, Denver CO, Cherry Hills CO, Longmont CO, Littleton CO, Arvada CO, Broomfield CO, Fort Collins CO, Lafayette CO, Aspen CO, Vail CO, Breckenridge CO

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57 Projects

Chicago, IL

Credentials

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Write a Review

49 Reviews for Kipnis Architecture + Planning

5.0|49 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

5.0

Value

4.6

A K

Relationship

Client

We had a wonderful experience working with Nate and his architectural team on the full gut renovation of our new house. We acted as our own GC and came into the project with specific ideas about the build and materials we wanted to use, and Nate and Dan were both indispensable collaborators to ensure that every aspect of the design could be successfully executed as we envisioned it. The house is located in a historic neighborhood, so it was important to us to keep the existing brick and maintain other mid-century features of the house. Nate was able to seamlessly incorporate these original details into the plans while at the same time completely redesigning the facade of the house into something really beautiful and unique. For the interior, Nate and his team put together a precise and thoughtful floor plan which skillfully included every detail we requested. Nate and his team are so great to work with - creative, responsive and engaging - it was truly a pleasure. Thank you for designing our home, Nate! We could not be happier with the final product.

December 10, 2020

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Thank you so much Antonia! You were great to work with, and I'm so happy the house came out the way it did! Let's do another one in Greece!

lynn moosman

Relationship

Client

Picking an architect is perhaps one of the more daunting tasks of a home build or rebuild project. After working with Nate Kipnis and his team for over a year, I can highly recommend him without hesitation! We bought an early 1960's ranch with the goal of complete redesign and rebuild into our 'age-in-place' forever home! The idea of being green, and implementing sustainable principles, was on the top of our priority list but had to be compromised in certain cases due to budget and situational concerns. Nate worked with us on every detail, listening to and responding to our goals, providing advice and counsel and following the project thru to the end. Not only did he come up with an innovative, creative, and stunning design, but he worked with us throughout the project guiding the choice of materials and resources. The now completed house is truly our dream home!! We continuously get compliments on the design and are proud to recommend Nate and his team.

November 30, 2020

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Thanks Lynn! It was a really fun project and great working with you and Nancy!

John Simpson

Relationship

Client

We hired Kipnis to architect an extensive exterior and interior remodel of our home. We could not have made a better decision. Nate and his team led us through the process, providing consultative guidance throughout. And besides coming up with some really creative and innovative plans for our house, I particularly valued how they helped facilitate the build by connecting us with a great set of contractors and monitoring the progress along the way. End to end, Kipnis was a fantastic partner and I recommend them without reservation!

October 19, 2020

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Thanks John! It was a pleasure working with you on your home!

Floyd Kozak

Relationship

Client

I have worked with Nate for almost 20 years. I first met Nate when he was highly recommended to be the Architect for the new building design for my company. He took an old building that looked like it could be condemned and turned it into a state of the art modern office space. His design is timeless. Our building still wows after all these years!! I also had Nate help me when I bought a home and completely remodeled it inside and out. The creative ideas he came up with were nothing less than spectacular. Nate is without a doubt one of the top Architects in Illinois. His environmental conscious is second to none. Nobody does green like Nate Kipnis!!!

December 11, 2019

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Floyd, thank you for the kind review! It's been great getting to know you and help with your buildings.

Take care,

Nate

David Wolraich

Relationship

Client

Excellent work! We live in a 125 year-old home and wanted a garage that echoed its architecture. Nate and his staff did a masterful job integrating a historic feel with modern features. There were a number of challenges that they easily navigated, and we are thrilled with the results. We’re just sad that we unexpectedly moved out of state and didn’t have the opportunity to work with Kipnis on renovating our home as we had planned. Nate and Dan had amazing ideas, and we know it would have been beautiful!

December 7, 2019

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

That you so much for the kind thoughts, David! I hope you are settled into your new digs! Happy Holidays!

Gary Barth

Relationship

Client

We have the distinction of being Nate’s very first client back in 1993, which included the renovation of the kitchen and master bath of our Deerfield home upon moving in. This was followed by two more major renovations in the same house over the next 25 years. In 2017 we decided to move and recruit Nate to design/build our current dream home in Glencoe, IL. And that he did. Nate’s attention to detail, knowledge of the efficient use of space, materials and layout to conserve energy is awesome. The construction included 20 solar panels perfectly placed within the design of the structure to collect the suns rays throughout the year. Nate has excelled in his pursuit of ‘green’ architecture and we are extremely satisfied with our newest, whole house project. It was a pleasure to work with Nate, Dan and the rest of the team who all listened to our desires, preferences and dreams, and really delivered.

December 3, 2019

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Thanks Gary! I have always enjoyed working with you and Marci and are looking forward to the next fun project!

Darryl Jacobs

Relationship

Client

We had a great experience working with Nate, Debbie, Kudo and the rest of the team on our new home construction in Highland Park. The design of our house is stunning and the green construction is amazing. Our HVAC system rarely kicks in; yet the temperature in the house stays remarkably constant no matter what the temperature is outside. We are thrilled with our new home and enthusiastically recommend them!

November 15, 2019

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Thanks Darryl! We had a great time designing your home!

Ben Porter

Relationship

Client

We have now used Kipnis for two renovations of our historic Victorian home exceeding $250K: bathrooms, mechanicals, structural -- you name it. His knowledge of historic renovations met the standards of our local preservation commission, and the use of LEED practices and materials were a great fit for our values. In both of the projects, we lived through the renovations, and the contractors he helped us find were very professional and reasonably-priced. His practical designs fit the historic nature of our house while giving us much more space and storage (all in the same footprint). We wouldn't hesitate to use Kipnis again.

January 1, 2019

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Ben, thank you for that wonderful review! I'm looking forward to designing your vacation home ; )

joanne edid

Relationship

Client

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Nate and his team, Dan and Kudo. Our reno project was a kitchen and three bathrooms. We moved walls and repurposed spaces, working within the confines of a landmark co-op building from the 1920s. No easy feat! This was my fourth kitchen remodel (clearly I move too frequently!) and the most extensive one while also having the greatest number of restrictions due to the multifamily nature of the building. Nate rose to each challenge and did an outstanding job. My thanks and appreciation to everyone at Kipnis Architecture + Planning.

December 19, 2018

cjotschannen

Relationship

Client

We bought a 50s ranch which Nate and his staff transformed into a spectacular space full of light, openness, and accessibility. Stunning ideas.

December 13, 2018

The Spirited Gardener

Relationship

Colleague

In 2013, Helen & Michael Cameron hired me to design the Landscape for their new home which had been designed by Nate Kipnis's firm. We had the chance to get to know each other’s work better when the home was featured in the GreenBuilt Home Tour in 2014. I was especially impressed by the “chimney effect” of cooling the Cameron’s home which was so beautifully illustrated for us on the day of the Tour. At 87 degrees that day, the house stayed comfortably cool by the simple movement of air through the house — with no AC! And the living space had a wonderful flow as well. Recently Nate introduced me to Dana Pearl, and the challenge was on to take her landscape to its highest Sustainable Sites level. It was especially powerful to be in on the project at such an early stage, something that other architects need to start doing. Nate’s attention to these sorts of details made a huge impact on the overall success of this beautifully integrated project.

September 7, 2018

Shana

Relationship

Client

We worked with Nate to remodel and finish our attic. We interviewed a number of architects, some of whom seemed very good and were less expensive. We nevertheless decided to go with Nate because of his expertise in green architecture and because we could tell that he would be very thorough and would not cut any corners. We were not disappointed. We love our attic and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the job was done right. Nate did a great job throughout, helping us decide what we wanted, drawing up plans, getting permits, and working with us to find a contractor who was willing and able to work with our budget and who ended up doing a fantastic job.

January 8, 2018

Comment from Kipnis Architecture + Planning:

Shana,

It was great working with you on the project. I'm glad you're pleased with it!

Take care,

Nate

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39 Ideabooks

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444 Comments

Commented: Who can I contact about a pocket sliding barn door?Hi Joanne, Here are two companies with a good selection of options. https://barndoorhardware.com/ https://rustica.com/barn-door-hardware/ Additionally ,here is a nice article showing their picks ...

February 21, 2021

Commented: What are the make/color of the countertops?Lindsay, that is a Silestone countertop. https://www.silestoneusa.com/colors/ I'm not sure what the exact color is (this was the interior designers last project before she retired and I can't reach h...

September 23, 2020

Commented: shelby.sheila@yahoo.comThe difference in the image you referenced and a ranch is that the ranch is not very tall. I'm assuming you mean to clad the home with panels like that. So yes, you can, just like we clad that brick...

August 12, 2020

Commented: How do you contain the water inside the shower?Unfortunately this was the last project that the interior designer did before she retired. I can't get a hold of her to ask. My thought is that the inlay is a stone mosaic, probably from Ann Sacks o...

February 13, 2020

Commented: couchThe interior designer finally called back. It is an old sofa that was recovered with new foam. The material is either from Kisabeth or Rob Jones. She didn't remember which one. I hope that helps! ...

January 19, 2020

Commented: Is the tile at the shower glass wall grouted to the glass?Sheri, I honestly don't remember - the project was from about 15 years ago. I believe they did. I have been told to be careful that if you have clear or clearer glass, any mold or dirt will show thr...

April 22, 2019

Kipnis Architecture + Planning

About Us

Services Provided

Areas Served

57 Projects

Chicago Resilient 5 Lot Home

Green Vacation Home

Glencoe LEED Platinum home

Modern Solar Lake House

Sustainable Farm House

Mid Century Modern Renovation

Credentials

49 Reviews for Kipnis Architecture + Planning

39 Ideabooks

444 Comments

Architects & Building Designers near Evanston

Professional Categories in Evanston

Related Services

About Us

Services Provided

Areas Served

57 Projects

Chicago Resilient 5 Lot Home

Green Vacation Home

Glencoe LEED Platinum home

Modern Solar Lake House

Sustainable Farm House

Mid Century Modern Renovation

Credentials

49 Reviews for Kipnis Architecture + Planning

39 Ideabooks

444 Comments

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