Residential Architecture and Interiors Brochure

Residential Brochure

Sion Residence

Mekus Tanager, Inc.445 East Illinois StreetSuite 333Chicago, IL 60611

p. 312.661.0778f. 312.661.0980www.mekustanager.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

PRINCIPAL’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher Mekus, AIA

Managing Principalp. 312.644.2654e. cmekus@mekustanager.com

Spes Mekus, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP

Principalp. 312.644.2709e. smekus@mekustanager.com

Stephen Wierzbowski, AIA

Principalp. 312.644.2650e. swierzbowski@mekustanager.com

TURNING A HOUSE INTO A HOME

SERVICES OFFERED

CASE STUDIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Home is where the heart is. Let MekusTanager create a refuge

designed exactly for you.

For over 30 years Mekus Tanager has been an architecture-and-design industry leader. What makes Mekus Tanager stand apart is that we specialize in working with our clients as a partner. While design may only be one component of creating your perfect home, at Mekus Tanager we design solutions that reflect each client’s unique identity and what elements create their perfect home. Good home design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it truly makes your home yours.

GOOD DESIGN TURNS A HOUSE INTO A HOME

COMPLETE CLIENT SATISFACTIONSuccessful projects are a product of effective communication between all teams involved in a project. The team includes the client, the architectural / interior-design team, a real-estate representative (if requested), and various consultants, contractors, and vendors. The strength of any achievement from project initiation through completion is directly a result of effective and continual communication, professional expertise, team cohesiveness, and follow through.

Because your vision of what makes a home is unique, the first step in any project for Mekus Tanager is to listen to your goals and aspirations. These may include your desired home’s location, function, culture and identity, budget, and schedule. By listening to your ideas of the perfect home, we then use our knowledge and design skills to create design solutions that are specifically tailored to create the perfect home for you.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGNMekus Tanager has been practicing sustainable design for over 30 years, and is a member of the US Green Building Council. Since our fi rm’s founding, we have worked to develop strategies for the design of long lasting buildings and interiors, and with each project we take great care in researching and implementing sustainable design solutions while meeting tight budgets for all of our projects. Also, using green building techniques is not only good for the environment, but it can also help to reduce energy costs.

Henderson Residence - Evanston, IL

Arnett Residence - Chicago, IL

Sion Residence - Riverside, IL

Wieboldt Mansion - Glencoe, IL

SERVICES OFFERED

Full-service architecture, planning, and interior design for new construction, additions, remodels, renovations, interior remodels/updates, sustainable design, and LEED. Below is a comprehensive list of services:

PRE-DESIGN

• Feasibility Studies• Site Analysis / Site Selection• ADA Analysis• Programming• Furniture Evaluation / Inventory• Home Area Calculations• LEED Certification Assistance

DESIGN

• Schematic Design• Design Development• Custom Furniture Design• Selection of Furniture, Colors, & Materials• Preliminary Cost Estimation• Coordinate Engineering /other Consulting Services• Computer Renderings• Renovation / Restoration

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

• Prepare Detailed Architectural Drawings• Prepare Furnishing Drawings• Prepare Bid & Permit Documents• Specifications• Final Cost Estimation

CONSTRUCTION

• Assist in Selection of Contractors• Bid Analysis• Scope Review• Attend Meetings with Contractors• Issue Change Orders• Review Contractor’s Application for Payment• Coordination of Engineering Services• Cost Review & Analysis• Review of Shop Drawings• Punch List the project• Follow-up to Assure Completion• Restoration

Case Studies

Henderson Residence

Henderson ResidenceEvanston, IL

This 1911 Georgian-style residence, located on the Lake Michigan shoreline, was originally designed by the renowned architect, E.A. Mayo. At the time, Mayo devised a grand, three-story, enclosed porch overlooking the lake - a signifi cant element of the house that was never constructed. A less expensive brick and wood porch was originally installed instead. Our client desired to realize the original architect’s design intent and complete the porch addition on the historic residence, as well as add new front and side porches.

Mekus Tanager was hired to design these new additions, as well as remodel parts of the interior. The new additions greatly improved the beauty and warmth of the house’s porches, and also took great advantage of the vistas offered by Lake Michigan. The new porches also eased the transition between the indoors and outside, allowing the client to create liveable, functional spaces that serve as an expansion of the home outdoors.

1200 Sunset Rd ResidenceWinnetka, IL

After little success in selling their home, the owners and Mekus Tanager undertook a project to update and renovate this colonial style home so that it would compete in a luxury home market, where the competing houses are typically spec or built-to-suit luxury homes. With a set budget in mind, the design solutions implemented sought to maximize ROI for the owner while also enticing buyers to vision the house as their future home.

The most impactful design solution was the removal of a wall between the kitchen and family room to create an open and contemporary fl oor plan between the kitchen, informal dining area, and family/entertainment areas. The new fl oor plan really opened up both the interior spaces and views to the yard / nature preserve behind the house, and allowed natural light to penetrate throughout the space creating a comforting, warm feeling. The open fl oor plan also allows for greater family and/or guest connectivity. Upstairs, the fl oor plan was also modifi ed to create a more contemporary, inviting master suite area, along with new his/hers closets. On the exterior, worn fi nishes were replaced or updated to more contemporary options, and the patio was rebuilt to drain water away from the house. Finishes throughout the house were selected to convey a luxurious yet comfortable and inviting atmosphere, while remaining relatively neutral in palette so as to be appealing to the most prospective buyers.

What They’re Saying: “[The house] is a masterpiece and someone will be as lucky as we were to raise their family there. Meanwhile, we look forward to enjoying the house through the Fall season!”

Wieboldt MansionGlencoe, IL

Work performed including adding a “family” room and modern kitchen addition to the Wieboldt mansion for Rom & Tina Schmidt. The two-story great hall is framed by heavy timber trusses. The kitchen was updated from a traditional gallery kitchen & pantry into a meeting and gathering space as well as a food preparation space. Through the use of limestone walls, the exterior of the addition was designed to blend seamlessly with the tudor-design of the original house, and a large outside terrace with a classic limestone rail was also added to blend the indoors with the outdoors.

1816 N. Cleveland Ave HouseChicago, IL

The small two-story house is an experiment in fragmentation and color theory. The angled red platform supports a sleeping loft which functions to the roof structure together. The colors were selected to change throughout the day.

Arnett ResidenceChicago, IL

The Arnett Residence included the remodeling of an industrial sculpture studio into a 3-bedroom residence complete with a 35-ft high arched ceiling and a ton-and-a-half crane. The living room’s custom terrazzo fl oor is radiantly heated and in the garage there is space for two motorcycles.

Williamson ResidenceWinnetka, IL

This project involved the interior remodeling and redecorating of various areas within this North Shore residence to accommodate the family’s changing life-style. For such areas as the dining room, foyer, living room, and master bedroom and bath, Mekus Tanager selected new furniture and furnishings, as well as new lighting, interior window treatments, carpeting and architectural details.

Sion ResidenceRiverside, IL

The Sion House is a 4895 square-foot, two-story residence with an attached garage, full basement, and four bedrooms. The fi rst fl oor central stair creates a theatrical balcony that overlooks the grand entry hall with traditional stained-glass windows and large Tiffany chandeliers that reinforce the Prarie-style design. The interior interaction between formal symmetry and asymmetry establishes an open fl ow from one room to another. Unlike many Prairie-style designs, there is a great deal of indirect, natural light which produces a bright and spacious environment. The home is also oriented to the south, and has deep overhanging eaves, to protect the house and control solar heat-gain.Inspired by nature through the design and the appropriate placement of masonry, the Sion House creates a temple to the Prairie-style design. A rich, brown color palette was selected to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, while the layout of the brick and stone purposefully was designed to breakdown the scale of the house and create depth, casual outdoor terraces, and relaxation areas. The front elevation is composed of a pediment fl oating above four oversized brick piers.

Valcenti ResidenceGlencoe, IL

A major gut renovation and addition to an existing split level home into a “suburban loft”. The street façade is “Frank Lloyd Wright-esque” while the interior is realized in stripped down minimalism.

Arizona HousePhoenix, AZ

The Arizona House is a small two bedroom house on a golf course with a study in the “tower”. A single window frames a view of the mountains. The entry courtyard includes an arbor that marks the entry.

Williams ResidenceGlencoe, IL

For this project, Mekus Tanager assisted the homeowner with the expansion and renovation of an existing residence, including the design of a new garage and entranceway, new roofi ng, and new decking. The overall goal of the project was to coordinate the architectural design with the newly proposed landscaping to create a Japanese-like garden with wide window expanses to heighten the sense of transparency between the indoors and outdoors.