Erika teaches English in a Chicago public high school. Philip works for the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
After 5 years living in a “workers’ cottage” about a mile south of 235 Van Buren they set out to buy a home that would accommodate their differing priorities.
Philip wanted to experience living in a significant work of architecture, while Erika was seeking the creature comforts their current home lacked: an in-unit washer / dryer and a shower with hot water.
Given the economic prospects and uncertainties of the public-service professions they’ve chosen, Philip and Erika opted to buy at 235 Van Buren through an affordable housing program made available by the developer and the Chicago Community Land Trust. In this part of our interview we talk about that program and about their experience in working with CMK, the developer.
I suggested we talk in the lavish, soaring “winter garden” atrium of the AT&T Corporate Center, which is directly across the street from 235 Van Buren. The waterfall you see at the opening is the background sound throughout our interview.