The Enterprise Companies
30 Units
Chicago, IL

Forming a bridge between a recently converted loft building and a development of single-family homes, the site plan efficiently accommodates 30 contemporary townhouses in 2 rows. The arrangement creates two distinct zones. The public face, with raised front doors looking onto the street, brings the project strong identity and urban presence. An inner row of nine units completes the building's form and bounds a quiet drive, providing access to garages and doubling as a quiet courtyard. Each townhouse is given a private front yard, shielded partly by a brick screen wall. The form of the outer row of houses is broken to allow a glimpse into the inner court and provide pedestrian access to the street. Subtle tone-on-tone shifts in brick color and vertical separation created by colored downspouts distinguish individual units while maintaining a lively but cohesive appearance. Color also serves to emphasize other architectural features; canopies, stairs and handrails, and window frames. Drama is imbued through the use of outward canted steel bays, painted in a soft blue-green. They bring interest and openness to interior rooms while enhancing views. Corners are emphasized through orthogonal wrap-around bays. Each townhouse culminates in a large, private roof deck, providing skyline views.