Chicago, Chicago is a three-flat with commercial ground floor and basement, located on the commercial corridor of Chicago Avenue. The project distills and addresses the building and programmatic elements that form the historic type of the Chicago three-flat: from the entrance, to the stair core, to the unit layout, and the lightwell. Each element is crafted to address contemporary values of living and working in a city.

At the scale of the building, the three-flat reveals its program: at each level, the building steps back 1’-0” to emphasize the typology of three “flats” stacked one upon the other. Bedrooms are avenue-facing and articulated with a unique Juliette balcony, giving face to the rooms within. A widening open-air corridor bridges the front and back of the building at ground level, so that employees in the commercial unit can bike to the office and bring their bikes to the back through the open-air corridor. A large triangular-shaped atrium cuts into the three residential units to create a large lightwell that brings in plenty of light. This building-scale triangular atrium creates two new facades such that all spaces receive direct natural daylight and ventilation.

The residential units are laid out in such a way as to minimize enclosed rooms and rather prioritize shared open living space. Only two toilet rooms, a shower, and the two bedrooms are enclosed. Two vanities line an open corridor that connects the bedrooms and the kitchen, giving double function to this space. The kitchen counter lines the long edge of the triangular lightwell. The living room is defined by the façade of the lightwell with a large circular window and back façade of the building.