South Oak Park Residential Addition and Interior Remodeling

This residential project is in south Oak Park, Illinois, a near western suburb of Chicago. The addition at the back eastern portion of the building was incorporated to increase the floor space of the master bedroom above and the living and kitchen space on the main level. The building's former use as a two-flat residential apartment building was dramatically altered by the removal of two first-floor bearing walls to create an open, eat-in kitchen and family room. The centrally enclosed stairway for the previous use as a two-flat was spatially opened and reworked to emphasize and visually connect the three levels of the new, single-family living environment. Taking advantage of the atypical high ceilings, new stained wood cornice profiles were designed and custom milled for the first floor and portions of the second floor. The basement floor was lowered (excavated) to obtain code-approved habitable space and new structural supports were added to create a spacious, state-of-the-art media room in the lower level.

Klancic Architecture assisted with the award-winning kitchen design by creating a new, large open space that contributed to the initial cabinet and counter layout and integrating the newly developed custom cornice, baseboard and trim molding profiles. Additionally design and documents for the custom cabinetry at the living room fireplace and media room, home office space and the pergola over the back porch were included in the design and services. The house and kitchen were selected "Best in Show" for the 2010 Parenthesis Oak Park and River Forest Kitchen Walk.