This is the design for a speculative townhouse designed for a site in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago. The project centers around a large two-story bookcase/fireplace that is wrapped by the stairs accessing the private realm of the bedrooms upstairs.

The brick exterior makes a kind of exoskeleton to house the clients, making a solid refuge in what was a marginal neighborhood.  The light and views are largely interior with masonry walls wrapping the house and site.

Designed by Mark Gerwing

Mark Gerwing, Project Architect

unbuilt