Becker Architects

A new single family home for former clients, now empty nesters

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd

Interiors: Pam Maher Design

Contractor: Wujcik Construction Group

Lighting: AKLD Lighting Design

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina Engineering

Civil Engineering: Bono Consulting Civil Engineers

Roof Consultant: C. E. Crowley + Associates

Landscape: Midwest Arbor

Cabinetry: KWI Cabinetry

Kitchen Cabinetry: de Giulio kitchen design

Windows: Assured Corp with Otiima, Tradewood and Loewen Windows

Intelligent Systems: MediaTech

Pools: Sunset Pools

Appliances: Abt Electronics

Plumbing Fixtures: Studio 41

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

A new single family home for empty nester clients in the Chicago metro area

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd

Interiors: Joanna Crowley Design + Becker Architects Ltd

Contractor: JAR Corp

Cabinetry: Sweet Grass Cabinetry

Windows: Marvin

Appliances: Abt Electronics

Plumbing Fixtures: Studio 41

Lighting: AKLD Lighting Design

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina Engineering

Civil Engineering: Dan Creaney

Landscape: Scott Byron & Co

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

A new single family near Lake Michigan in Highland Park, IL

Project Team

Owner: GoodJar Development

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd

Interiors: Samantha Godlin Interiors

Contractor: JAR Corp

Cabinetry: Sweet Grass Cabinetry

Windows: Pella

Appliances: Abt Electronics

Plumbing Fixtures: Studio 41

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina Engineering

Civil Engineering: Dan Creaney

Landscape: Milieu Design

Renderings: Emil Gorgioski, Becker Architects

Photography: Ryan Hainey Photography and Compass Realty / VHT Studios

A past client approached us with the request for an island that “floats” within the space. Steel made that happen. Scroll to the bottom to see how this turned out.

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Interiors: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Contractor: S+H Builders

Cabinetry: Bovelli Custom Millwork, Joe Knobbe PM

Counters: SP Group Inc

Appliances: Abt Electronics

Lighting: PG enlighten, Brady Clair Schenkel PM

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina Engineering

Video: David Haegeland

Photography: SP Group Inc

We were contacted by former clients (for whom we had designed a home 15 years ago) who had relocated to Nevada. They wanted to build a second structure on their property, a place to escape to (with each other) to enjoy their passions for art and music as well as the breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Upstairs, the new outbuilding has an artist studio (she works in multiple media) and downstairs a music studio (he plays multiple instruments and enjoys listening to his record collection). The interior is flooded with daylight and there are views in every direction. Excepting extreme weather, heating is provided by the pellet stove. Zoning limited the height of this structure so we exposed the joists to expand the head room to the maximum. There’s also room for a future RV should the mood strike.

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: JAR Corp, Highland Park, IL

Stucco, Stone and Roofing: AB Edward Enterprises, Wheeling, IL

Rainscreen Cladding: Azek Exteriors

Cabinetry: Silver Bell Furniture, Chicago, IL

Stairs: Roseland Stair Works, Orland Park, IL

Landscape Design/Contractor: Scott Byron & Co, Lake Bluff, IL

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina, Wayne, IL

Civil Engineer: Bono Consulting, Park Ridge, IL

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

Azek Exteriors has profiled this home in a Case Study posted July 2020. Read the study here.

A gut rehab

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: Shrago Design + Build, Highland Park, IL

Furniture and Art: By Owner

Landscape Design/Contractor: Rosborough Partners, Libertyville, IL

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina, Wayne, IL

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

From our client:

“Thank you for the beauty you have brought into our lives. We enjoy and appreciate it every day.”

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Designer: Arlyn Goodman, Chicago, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

General Contractor: JAR Corp, Highland Park, IL

From our client:

“We very recently used Becker Architects to gut and totally reconfigure and remodel our new home. We purchased a small ranch house which, from the outside, is very simple and unassuming. The inside was dark, depressing and the space was awkward, unwieldy and uncomfortable. What we ended up with is a house whose interior spaces make sense and work perfectly for us in a logical but unusual and unexpected way.

You walk into our simple, unassuming ranch house and you are immediately taken aback by the exceptional, unconventional, beautifully open and inviting but very user-friendly home. Becker Architects were amazing to work with. They were accessible, accommodating, flexible, timely and, most important, had great ideas, functionally and creatively and with meticulous attention detail. Our new home was a labor of love and Becker Architects made the process relatively painless and gave us what we truly feel is our dream home”

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Interiors: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: Twenty9, Inc, Highland Park, IL

Landscape Design/Contractor: Scott Byron Landscaping, Lake Bluff, IL

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina, Wayne, IL

Civil Engineer: Bono Consulting, Park Ridge, IL

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Interiors: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: Twenty9, Inc, Highland Park, IL

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

Project Team

Developer: Republic Investment Company, Los Angeles, CA

Designer: HomeLife Interiors, West Palm Beach, FL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: Twenty9, Inc, Highland Park, IL

Client Rep: Benny Lalez, Chicago, IL

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

This project entailed gutting and rehabbing 6,800 square feet of penthouse area with all-glass exposures facing private terraces in all four cardinal directions. Project includes new finishes, cabinetry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, low voltage wiring and controls throughout. This apartment is currently on the market.

From our client: "Thank you for the great job you and your entire team has done. The Republic team is truly happy with your efforts and the end result speaks for itself."

CURBED CHICAGO Own this rehabbed River North penthouse for $4.49M

For a view of the "before" images, click here.

New Construction

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: S/H Builders, Rolling Meadows, IL

Landscape Design/Contractor: Midwest Arbor, Spring Grove, IL

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina, Wayne, IL

Civil Engineer: Bono Consulting, Park Ridge, IL

Photography: Darris Lee Harris, Chicago, IL

A gut rehab to an 1800's landmark multi story loft building. Renovation involved a new layout, new mechanicals, new cabinetry and finishes throughout. At the bottom, an animation study produced early in design.

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Interiors: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: Timberline, Inc., Lake Forest, IL

Staircase: Roseland Stair Works, Orland Park, IL

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina, Wayne, IL

We removed the structure down to the foundation, expanded the footprint and modified certain foundation wall elevations to correct architectural and drainage issues. We then built a new house on the existing footprint saving tens of thousands of dollars on excavation and concrete work. Beyond large cost savings, this modern home allows for abundant daylight while retaining privacy for the family within. It's expansive open interior spaces are complimented with warm materials and custom cabinetry. 

Client testimony:

"Becker Architects were our architects through our whole house remodel. They were very easy and pleasant to work with professionally. Amazing throughout the entire process - listening to our ever shifting needs and wishes, guiding us with their professional and personal experiences. 

They shaped and helped us find our architectural tastes, offering ideas and solutions that we often never knew existed. They took our original idea and iterated with us to build an amazing house that is modern, beautiful, and highly functional. Every day when we pull up to our house, we smile to each other. We couldn't be happier with the end result and are grateful to Becker Architects for helping us build our dream home."

Modern Residence

Project Team

Architect: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Interiors: Becker Architects Ltd, Highland Park, IL

Lighting: OP Lighting Design, Inc, Buffalo Grove, IL

Contractor: Donatelli Builders, Downers Grove, IL

Structural Engineer: Hutter Trankina, Wayne, IL

Civil Engineer: Bono Consulting, Park Ridge, IL

In an effort to preserve a gem of mid-century modernism, we fully rehabbed the interior of this Edward Dart house to suit todays modern lifestyle without compromising the integrity of its original design. Major enhancements include garage and deck additions, enlarged master suite, new modern kitchen and updated terrace.

This project was designed in conformance with the Department of Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation and was certified by Landmarks Illinois.

Winner of 2009 Glencoe Preservation Award, 2011 Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award and 2012 AIA Design Excellence Award. Cover stories in Preservation (Smithsonian) and Chicago Architect (AIA Chicago). Featured in ARCHITECTURE (AIA National).

Chicago Architecture Foundation Lunch Talks, March 2013.

Client testimony:

"We have worked with Becker Architects on three large projects since 1994. First, a rehab and addition to a major industrial facility in Elk Grove Village. Then, in 2001, a renovation of our Evanston home. Most recently, they designed an addition and complete rehab to our current home which in 2012 garnered a Glencoe Preservation Award, an AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award, a Driehaus Foundation Award and the cover of Preservation Magazine, a Smithsonian publication ! 

Becker has always captured our ideas and made them a reality. The compliments we receive on our projects are numerous and it is why I'm always happy to refer them without hesitation. We are extremely pleased with the outcomes and appreciate all the patience, dedication, time and effort their firm has invested on our behalf."

This home reflects our clients desire to update and brighten their existing ranch home. Dark wood flooring throughout allows the furniture and light colored finishes to liven the space. We provided a complete kitchen renovation to todays modern luxury standards and windows were organized based on each rooms desire for a connection to the outdoors and privacy. The result is a youthful renovation of a ranch home with clean modern finishes.

Client testimony:

"My wife and I have had two wonderful experiences working with Becker Architects. They have taken our vision of what we wanted our home to be and designed it to be even better."

This split level renovation and addition features sleek metal, cement and glass details balanced with stone and wood to relate to neighboring homes. The home was expanded upwards creating a Master Suite "penthouse" and private terrace with Lake Michigan views.

Client testimony:

"Now that I'm settled in, I would like to thank you for a job well done. My appreciation of your design continues to increase as I notice a new detail or view the house from a different vantage point. It was quite easy to work with all of you and I found your team's approach very effective. Where I had specific ideas you integrated them into the design without embellishment. When I had a vague notion, you turned it into a practical reality. You exceeded my expectations and added a great deal of value to the project without adding expense. I would recommend your firm without hesitation and look forward to working with you again in the near future."

No project is too small to have a large impact. We designed this enclosed porch addition with the utmost attention to proportion, scale and material. The quality of this space is defined by its relationship to the existing home and its attention to details. The porch contains a natural wood table, exposed rafter ceiling, a full bar and is a place to unwind from the every-day routine of the main house. This "room within a garden" adds another dimension to the quality of life of this home.

Client testimony:

"We love our new porch !!! Thanks for all your attention to detail."

"In Full Bloom" Spring 2018 Modern Luxury Chicago Interiors

Our strategy of clean detailing and bright toned interiors simplifies this 1920's home and celebrates its original character. Windows, trim work, ceiling design and continuous wood floors improve the domestic and timeless quality of the home.

Client testimony:

"Becker Architects was instrumental in remodeling our 1920's Tudor home. We were able to modernize our home while maintaining and even enhancing its original charm and character. They had great solutions for working within our original footprint and really listened to what was important to us. They were a pleasure to work with throughout the project. Based on their ability to retain the home's natural character, our home has since been used for a national photo shoot."

Becker Architects was General Contractor for this project.

We demolished a rear two-story bump-out which had contained a kitchen and garage as well as bedroom and two baths above. In its place, we designed and built a two storey addition perpendicular to the remaining house in order to maximize natural light as well as views of the front and rear yards. The wings extend as a backdrop to the original home, highlighting the new versus old. The new portion contains a Mud Room and two-car garage as well as Kitchen/Informal Eating/Family Area at the west end with glass exposures on three sides. Upstairs the addition has a Master Suite (also with three exposures), two children’s bedrooms, a bathroom and laundry room.

The front portion (the original home from the late 19th century) was renovated including a new loft space in the existing attic; the exterior 2nd floor was re-clad in cement shingles creating a positive-negative color play between the old and new portions of the home.

Other major building materials include HardieBoard ™ cement panels and batten strips, standing seam metal roofing and new color-coordinated half round gutters and downspouts. The rear deck is constructed of Trex™, a recycled material.

The entire house has new finishes, electrical, plumbing and zoned HVAC systems. 

We re-designed the 1960's addition to the original 1935 International Style home by noted Chicago architect James Eppenstein. This original house was featured in a 1936 issue of Architectural Forum. The design, typical for the period, features rectilinear and planar surfaces with minimal ornamentation, save in this case for the two-story playful ashlar patterned glass brick wall which abuts the staircase.

Our addition makeover incorporates Eternit fibre cement panels installed in a rainscreen system on the second floor, creating a dialogue between the original white painted brick and this new material. New windows at the Master Bedroom were installed as part of this project. Much of the house original masonry was repointed, replacement roofing installed where required.

The front door awning was reconstructed with a steel tie to properly support it, then clad in sheet metal. The awning is drained via rain chain.

As part of this project, the detailing of the garage door was re-worked by exposing the previously concealed steel header beam. We also removed deteriorated wood siding to expose the original brick base. This helps create a minimal counterpoint to the 1935 home and new cladding system above. 

CREDITS

General Contractor : PaintJar

Facade : Green Facade Systems

1930's Keck + Keck gut rehab with 2nd Floor playroom addition, accessed by new steel staircase.

In this hi-rise residence, a gut-renovation permitted a continuous flow of space. Our design deploys modern wood paneling throughout the unit and translucent screens to allow the transfer of light while giving visual and acoustic privacy. The gainful view of Lake Michigan is always present in the living spaces of this unit.