The house at 747 South Dearborn Street in Chicago, Illinois was developed, designed, and constructed by architect Chris Talsma of Filoramo Talsma Architecture. The house is in a neighborhood that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the South Loop Printing House District and is in a Chicago Landmark District known as Printing House Row. Evidence suggests that the small lot in the South Loop has never been developed with a building. Photos of the property from the late 19th century show horse drawn carriages awaiting passengers as they arrive at Chicago’s Dearborn Station which is across the street. Chris’ wife, Sara, discovered the property for sale by a bank at the end of the Great Recession in 2011. After years of business wrangling, community group meetings, and planning, construction began in 2017 and the Talsma family moved in in 2019.
The 3,500 Square Foot rectangular lot has dimensions of roughly 50 by 70 feet and is uniquely small for downtown Chicago. It is blessed with 3 sides open to the street and only the north side abutting another property and a century old, 12 story loft building. The local zoning ordinance, the character of the neighborhood and the cost of development required commercial space at grade.
The residence has entry spaces and parking for 2 cars on the ground floor with the remainder of the program on the upper three floors. The second floor hosts the main living room, kitchen, dining and den with interior space taking up about ½ of the footprint of the building and the remaining ½ given to outdoor space. The boundary between the interior and exterior terrace is almost entirely of glass and the large sliding doors allow for easy movement between the two. A masonry colonnade surrounding the exteriors at the second floor reinforces this connection between the terrace and the living spaces. The third level is the adult’s floor with the master suite and an office. The fourth floor includes children’s and guest bedroom suites along with a recreation room.
Brick and terra cotta are two of the most prevalent materials in the historic neighborhood. With the Chicago Commission on Landmarks holding some authority over the project, it seemed natural to select these materials for the new project. The building is composed of a structural steel frame, composite floors and exterior walls of masonry and glazing. The brick walls follow the property line with the south elevations of the second, third and fourth floors being almost entirely glass. Fabrik, a sunscreen composed of terra cotta and stainless steel was installed on the south elevation.
The Fabrik screen was chosen for its ability to filter daylight, it’s durability, it’s unique appearance, and not the least of which, the history of terra cotta in the neighborhood. Sintered stone flooring is used indoors and outdoors, tolerates wet feet and swimwear, and complements the radiant slabs that make up all the interior floors. A 12+Killowatt solar array is generating energy on the roof.
What are the sustainability features?
12K Solar Array
Team:
Architect: Filoramo Talsma Architecture
Engineer: Goodfriend Magruder Structure
Material used:
1. Fabrik by Shildan
2. Stainless Steel Swimming Pool by Diamond Spas
