While not hideous (let's call it...unorthodox), this boxy building seems to be straddling the old and new architectural trends found throughout Bucktown and other quickly developing Chicago neighborhoods: 
If new condos are your guide, bricks seem to have become passe, passed over for masonry and glass. But here at the intersection of North Leavitt Street and West McLean Avenue (just north of Armitage Avenue), brick, glass and stone are jumbled together into cubic confusion. The materials look less contemporary (compared to, say, this), but the design most certainly is. The sunken balconies next to (what I assume is) a false chimney are odd, but what I can't stop wondering is: How exposed do these people feel to the world? The second-floor natural light must be a fine winter tonic, but perhaps less so when the residents meet the casual gazes of passing pedestrians. I don't see any curtains.
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1 year 18 weeks ago
I have to agree with you on the materials on this one. It would have been much better to have used block or stucco instead of the brick. The scale of the stone and the brick are too similar and compete for attention. Less is more when it comes to materials. Too many special touches makes it look like a little girl that puts on ALL of her mother's jewelry while playing dress up when one simple elegant piece will stand out much better on its own.
I like the sunken balconies. It looks like this picture may have been taken early to mid morning in which case, if I'm correct, the southern sun would be facing those balconies in the afternoon heat. The deepness of the balcony provides good shade in the summer time when that heat would be beating into a room driving up electricity costs from the heat gain.
It seems like the building has plenty of privacy. The first and second stories address the pedestrian peepers well with traditional windows and the 3rd story is high enough that even someone across the street on street level would be looking up at such an angle that they would only be able to see in the loft. I can't imagine that space being set up as a bedroom, it's probably some sort of recreational space. Besides, people who live in places like this don't worry about being exposed, otherwise they wouldn't have moved in. Yes?
1 year 18 weeks ago
I have read your articles and i have to disagree about every single one of the projects that you called ugly. Those projects are one the finest architectural work in the City. The Dwellings are absolutely amazing. Take a chance and schedule a visit you will see for yourself. This is the future in real estate!!! The future!!
1 year 18 weeks ago
This is in response to Junior. I absolutely love modern architecture and am glad that it's becoming more relevant but just because it's modern doesn't make it good. I also like particular genres of music but that doesn't mean that I like every song just because it's in that genre.
How can you make a blanket statement like all the buildings are amazing and not specifically say why? If you disagree with Jeremy,point out what makes those buildings good in your eyes. It would also be nice to know what perspective you're coming from. Are you an Architect? Are you someone that lives in the neighborhood? Are you just passing through this website? As I expressed to Jeremy in an email, architecture is a language and not everyone speaks it. What you think you see isn't always what it is and it would be good to know how fluent you are and WHY it appeals to you.
1 year 18 weeks ago
exposed to the world J. Gantz. Sounds good as long as I don't foot the mortgage. The mixed-school condo is preferable to the cookie cutter brick which is beyond bad. Are there are any schools trying to integrate the condo spawning with old-school chicago grey stones or bungalows?
Peace
1 year 17 weeks ago
[...] <div style=”background: #000 url(’http://www.methodsreporter.com/meth_embed.jpg’... Thought it was refreshing to find someone critiquing the gentrifying of Chicago. [...]
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