In a feature in Architectural Digest Magazine, local architect David Hovey, known for strikingly modern high-rises in Evanston as well as for the new Optima Old Orchard Woods project, explains the philosophy behind his stunning Winnetka house, which took only six months to design and build: use ordinary materials and conventional processes to build something beautiful quickly and economically. The result, he hopes, is a sum bigger than the parts.
Yikes…makes me think of driving on Lake Street under the L. Or the chase scene from “French Connection.” Raise those ceilings, people!
^ I can see the Lake St L analogy. It’s a cool looking design, but you have to wonder if the ceiling is actually low or if the horizontal emphasis just creates that illusion
He’s a skilled archtitect, and the space looks great. But yes, it does look like the underside of the “L”! As long as it doesn’t come with the “L” noise…
I am not a huge fan of Optima’s Evanston buildings. I prefer the skokie building (between 94 and the forest preserve) because I belive that his designs work better in a more open setting. In Evanston, where they are shoved in smaller areas and go lot line to lot line, their appeal is lost. That being said, this house looks great, but I still can’t help but feel that it is under built for such a choice piece of land.
I love the Evanston ones except for the color on some of those balconies. The garish orange and yellow stuff is going to look dated in about 15 minutes, I’d say.
The house is just awesome… makes me want to cry. I could move my furniture right in!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27933813@N00/314511284/
A serious goal of mine is to find a piece of land in or around the city and have a modular home built.
http://www.thedwellhome.com/design_marmol.html