Remodelling Apt/Lofts In Chicago

Posted on: August 18th, 2010 | 48 Comments

This is Day 211 of the Slow Home Project and we need you to join us in our quest to evaluate the design quality of houses in nine North American cities in nine months.


Today is Wednesday, August 17, 2010 and its time for another Design Project! We need everyone to re-work the floor plan of the one bedroom, one bathroom rental unit, now being converted into a condominium for sale. The project is located in “Ontario Place” and was built in 1983. The floor plan, while of marginal quality for a rental unit, is not acceptable as a condominium.

The following design elements need to be addressed:

1. The kitchen needs to be open to the main living/ dining space.
2. The bathroom needs to work as en ensuite and guest bath.
3. A stacker washer and dryer needs to be added.
4. The bedroom and entry need proper closets – a linen closet should be included.

You can move the location of the front door, but the main bearing wall should remain intact. In addition, you will get a “bonus” point if you can slip in a study desk – not an entire study space, but just a desk.

Day 211 – PDF
Day 211 – Existing
Day 211 – Demo
Day 211 – Full Symbol Library

See John's Final Design

Good luck! We look forward to seeing your designs and we will post the best and most interesting schemes with comments on Friday!

Tomorrow, we are doing an “In Detail” episode looking at bathroom design in apartment/ lofts in Chicago – there are some really interesting bathroom conditions in this city – so make sure to watch tomorrow!

  • Franco

    [img]lofttakehomerework1.1.jpg[/img]

    Here is my attempt.

    For the most part the plan is fairly self-explanatory.

    I reworked the bath and closet area to include more storage/closet space as well as room for a stackable washer/dryer. I also played around with the kitchen and living/dining area, I was able to open up this space, as well I made room to include small study space as well.

  • BradW

    [img]shdp781.jpg[/img]

    Minimal Intervention – architects hate that :)

    I tried to do as little as possible – opened up the kitchen to the main living space and shifted the bathroom to make room for a laundry…a study desk has been added to the bedroom

  • BradW

    Matthew – BTW I bet removing the large column from the entry/utility area is a no no…

  • BradW

    John – Very nice solution this week! Thanks to you and Matthew for your continuing and much appreciated efforts on Slow Home.

  • Franco

    Brad W- nice rework! I agree with removing the structural column from the entry, I didn’t realize it until you mentioned it. With that said, great job working around it, I really like the minimal intervention approach you took:)

  • BradW

    Franco – Thanks…In my mind’s eye, I saw something similar to your design :) but then decided to add further constraint by retaining the column.

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]chicagocondo2.jpg[/img]

    This plan did not seem so bad.

    Now we have a U kitchen. I kept the sink and refrigerator the same and added a dishwasher on the same wet wall. The stove moved to the island. We have built ins on one side of the great room. This will hold the desk, the sideboard for the dining, and the entertainment unit.

    The entry I flipped the closet and made part of the bath, the laundry. Other part is the new bath and runs in the footprint of the walk in closet. The linen is inside the bath now. The old linen closet now is a built in.

    I look forward to seeing everyone’s design.

    Mid America Mom

  • sdokter

    [img]apartmentorloftsubmittingplan.jpg[/img]

    For this apartment/loft floor plan I thought it would be better to open up the kitchen and place the stacked laundry rooom out of the way near it. The bathroom is now available to the master suite and any guests.

  • Terri

    It looks like I was thinking along the same lines as BradW when I decided to rework the plan with that structural element next to the linen closet in place. While doing so, it was giving me some grief…but I stuck it out. ;)

    My biggest problem was trying to give the dining area some definition. It seemed that the living/dining space was too square for me. I ended up using the closet/desk unit as a point of “register” (as Matthew says–I’m learnin the lingo!). This is a floating object but anchored. The millwork that extends along that central wall continues as a buffet unit facing the dining space. The desk has cupboards above in same material. The TV is anchored high on the wall (above occasional chairs).

    The kitchen U faces the living space–not ideal, I know. An island wouldn’t fit. As for the bathroom, I segmented it so that the bathing area could be closed off to guests or during the day. I debated about offering laundry access from the walk-through closet but opted for the convenience of getting to it from the hall.

  • Terri

    [img]chic2.jpg[/img]

    All that blather made me forget the plan!

  • Terri

    I see that most people are happy with the U of the kitchen facing the entry. I tried to avoid that placement–just because I don’t like looking into the kitchen right away, but I see it allows more openness.

  • Terri

    John, Your plan succeeded in doing what I tried at first. I put the closet and desk and dining table in the same locations but I just didn’t think of how to put those two couches facing one another with the TV at the end. Brilliant!

    I think I misinterpreted the word “ensuite.” I thought it meant a direct entry from the bedroom where one doesn’t have to go into an outside hall to access the bathroom. Oh well…I gave my ole brain a good workout today anyway. :)

  • Joshua

    [img]finalredesign.jpg[/img]

    I have left the main structural walls in place, in order to make it a smooth transition. The main closet for the entry in directly in front of it, this closet also can act as a desk, and cuts the view of the living room from the front door. The kitchen has been opened up to the dining/living, and has added the sink and dishwasher on the new wall by the front entry. The bathroom has been converted to have access from the master as well as the rest of the house. I have a large table in the dining even though on a daily basis this is probably unnecessary. Hope you guys like it.

  • Matthew North

    Hi Slow Homers! Any more Design Projects to post? We look forward to your submissions – I know its a beautiful day out….almost the end of summer and the beach is calling…..but, this apartment needs some help!

  • Mid America Mom

    Hi Terri and Joshua. You may want to put the sink back on the original wall… if you are trying to keep costs down.

    *MollyK where are you???*

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    Well maybe I can tackle another Matthew. HUM…. when are you going to pick the pen back up? John loving the exercise too much ;) ?

    Mid America Mom

  • Tayler

    [img]taylercasey.jpg[/img]

    For the first time, I am pretty happy with my plan. I wasn’t sure how to show that the counter closest to the living room was one of those ones that is two-levels. So it’s a little bit taller for the bar stools.

  • BradW

    Tayler – nice design…have you thought about adding a dining table?

  • Tayler

    Brad! I totally forgot about the dining room table. DOH! Adding now…

  • Tayler

    [img]1_taylercasey.jpg[/img]

    Option 2, with dining table (thanks BradW!)

  • Terri

    Hey, M.A.M.,
    Yeah, I had the sink over there first, then on an island and finally I just moved the unit to where it is. You make a good point though!

    Maybe MollyK is sipping mint juleps on her verandah–at least I hope she is!

  • Frances GF

    [img]1_shdp78demo.jpg[/img]

    Hello all,

    With this week’s design challenge I wanted to include the bath shower combination found in pan B3 from the Lincoln Park 2520 development. This one of my favorite bathroom arrangements and I had forgotten about it. I would be completely happy if I could have made the bathroom vanity larger.

  • Tiffany

    [img]chicagoaptloft.jpg[/img]

    So my plan is a bit different. Would not do for someone that cooks alot, but for a young couple who works during the day and enjoys the walkability of Chicago, I think it would be a good design.

  • Matthew North

    MAM – we have kind of settled into a groove around here with me picking the plan, John doing the re-design and then me doing the reviews for Friday……but after the Slow Home Project finishes in two weeks we are going to mix it all up again! Stay tuned!

  • Terri

    Joshua,
    Our plans are remarkably similar. Nice work! ;)
    I tried putting the toilet in a “cubicle” as you did, but there isn’t enough space. There is supposed to be 3 ft. from wall to wall to place a toilet (it’s actually measured as 1.5 ft. from the center of the toilet’s base out to each wall).

    Frances,
    I like your combo bathroom, and you made a true ensuite entry too.
    The kitchen is very spacious as well. Nice plan.

  • JPod

    [img]capture.png[/img][img]capture.jpg[/img]

    Here is my redesign

  • JPod

    [img]132.png[/img]

    Please ignore my previous post, I tried getting rid of the attachments, and apparently hitting refresh submits the comment. Here is my redesign. I didn’t add the bathroom as an en suite, because I wanted to add in a laundry space/utility room that enabled a bit more storage because I took away the linen closet.

  • Jamie L

    [img]3_jamielim1.jpg[/img]

    This week’s redesign was challenging..
    I tried to seperate the kitchen from the entry but open to the dining/living room.. it seems the kitchen and the bathroom are small though..

  • ReneP

    [img]chicagoaptartmentcopy.jpg[/img]

    Here is my re-design of this apartment. Starting with the entry – I did move the door a little to allow for a built-in key-shelf right beside it. I more or less kept the coat closet in the same space – albeit smaller and with sliding doors. Next I reconfigured the bathroom – added a towel/linen closet – dual sinks, and pocket door from bedroom. Laundry is housed in a closet, but I put in some shelves for detergents and other washing/ironing related items. I actually elongated the structural party wall a little to hide the laundry some more. The bedroom got a king-size bed and a built-in desk by the windows; but lost the walk-in closet. In its place I have the whole west wall (or east wall depending on which unit this is) as a long closet with 5 large sliding doors (different widths and preferably floor to ceiling doors made out of a nice grainy wood – walnut?) that also house a built-in dresser/entertainment cabinet – positioned for best viewing opportunities from the bed. Kitchen follows K.I.S.S methodology and stayed in the same general area – but is open to the rest of the apartment now. Dining room features built in bookshelves around the corner. Living room is simple – centered on built in entertainment centre and flanked by the folding patio doors for great outdoor exposure.

  • ReneP

    Just watched Prof. Brown’s re-design – I had been working with the assumptions that neither the party wall could nor the narrow wall by the door were to be moved or reduced. I suppose I must have misunderstood the instructions.

  • Mid America Mom

    I hear redesign ReneP ;)

  • Daniela M

    [img]shdp78demodone.jpg[/img]

    Here’s my remodel!

  • Ashley P

    [img]1_apartment1.jpg[/img]

    This is my remodel.

  • ReneP

    [img]chicagoaptartmentv2.jpg[/img]

    Thanks Mid America Mom – Challenge accepted! Result: better entry!

  • nicole

    [img]11_pp1.jpg[/img]

    optional sliding door that can close off the public from the private area.

  • kcull

    [img]1_condo.jpg[/img]

    I moved the enterence of the bedroom and then added the washer and dryer right in the bedroom which makes sense to me if it is only a 1 bedroom unit anyways so multiple people will not be using it. Also, i added an island and some other minor changes

  • Tara

    [img]chicagoapt.jpg[/img]

    Here’s my redesign for the week….may be a little cramped but I think it works.

  • Andrew

    [img]designprojectaptloftchicagomcconnell.jpg[/img]

    Here;s my entry. I kind of divided the apartment into 2 sections – the more public area that includes the kitchen, dining and living spaces and the more private area, which includes the bedroom, bathroom and laundry spaces. Along with a closet at the entrance, I also included a linen closet in the laundry space. I also worked-in a study space.

  • Amanda

    [img]2_takehomeexamapptfinal.jpg[/img]

    This is my plan. I may be a bit off on the scale but I tried my best.

    I wanted to try something different. So I put the washer and dryer on the other side of the plan, put a study area in the bedroom, and tried an angled island that would be used as the primary dining table. It was hard with paint to use angles other than 90 and 180; otherwise I would have liked the island to have been a bit less angled away from the kitchen. If I could do that then there would be more space for the living room. The only other ting I would change is to make the bedroom door not open to the front door.

  • Therese

    [img]gnstredesigncopy.jpg[/img]

    A little late. I tried to define the living spaces as best as I possibly could while sticking to the parameters of the prject. Hope it worked out well.

  • bstone52

    [img]stonechicagoapartmentfinal.jpg[/img]

    Hey so here’s my take – put in a master bath as well as mud bath, could be a little tight around the living room/kitchen, I wish I could move that middle wall south a few feet -

  • Mid America Mom

    [img]chicagocondo3.jpg[/img]

    :) ReneP.

    a second Major redesign.

    Mid America Mom

  • Marco

    [img]floorplanapartment.jpg[/img]

    Here is my take on a great looking redesign of this apartment!

    Thanks,

    Marco

  • Terri

    [img]chic22.jpg[/img]

    Tried redesigning without that structural blob by the bathroom. I borrowed John’s dining/living area.

  • Steve in Van

    [img]sh100819.jpg[/img]

    Some great plans posted today! Mine has a few unique features:
    1. I stole space from the bedroom to allow for a powder room / laundry and larger entry. The washer/dryer could be stacked for extra storage.
    2. The kitchen is open to the view and light but separated from the entry — a little more formal than our regular integrated space but necessary, I thought, given that the entry points directly into it.
    3. The bedroom wall is opened to the living area to allow dual-use of the TV and for light to spill between the spaces. An opaque shoji-type screen can close the opening for privacy.
    4. Shelves fill the wall of the living area to narrow the room and emphasize its length — a little better proportoned this way, I think.

  • Manolo

    [img]6_mytry.jpg[/img]

    Whew. I left the column as is and the door location as is. I imagined that I was a homeowner doing a reno rather than a designer drafting up floorplans for the developer, so it was important to be efficient. In the end I am left with a kitchen that is a bit too small and a dining area that is always going to need a table 3′ wide or less. This is because, I think, the overall proportion of the unit should have been slightly deeper to fit all of the uses in the configuration I went with for the kld, OR slightly wider to fit all of the uses in the configuration many others, including John, went with. I thought that there just wasn’t enough room to put the dining table and living area in line with the bedroom…

  • Manolo

    [img]7_mytry.jpg[/img]

    Whoops – forgot to colour in the column.

  • U. Guler

    [img]shdp78uguler01.jpg[/img]

    - i’m a fan of seperated bathtub/shower and wc :)
    - the washing machine and dryer are accessible in the lavatory, don’t need an extra room…
    - the sliding doors should be made of frosted glass, to get some natural light from the bedroom. i think that’ll work :)