No matter which direction you turn in this penthouse designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects, you’re greeted by beautiful views – whether they’re of the 270-degree views of Chicago out the window, or of the stately furniture and artwork within the walls of the home.
Even the walls themselves have a sculptural quality. They articulate the natural geometry of the mansard roof that this penthouse was built in, curving down in a gentle arch. This creates the modern, timeless space that the homeowners – a family of four – had wanted, while paying tribute to the building’s character.
Coming to this decision was not an easy one, as John Heinert, Principal at Wheeler Kearns Architects, shared. “Frankly, our instinct and our initial plan was to suppress the geometry and furr the perimeter walls further into the room, allowing them to be completely vertical. As framing got underway and it was clear how much floor space would be lost due to the furring, the owner asked that we take another look at embracing the slope.”
With the aid of advanced computer modelling and visualisation, they created several iterations before they could settle on a design that was uniformly extruded and accounted for every window opening.
To create a sense of soaring lightness, the team chose to use materials such as polished plaster. “Polished plaster has a luminous, delicate character that helped provide a lightness to the vaulted forms,” says John. The lighting strategy, which was designed in collaboration with Lux Populi, also played an important role in defining the arches: indirect lighting reflects off the walls, highlighting the curves while reducing glare from the windows during the day.
To add contrast and character, industrial elements such as dark oxidised steel were also used for key elements like the staircase. This helps to anchor the space and unify the different parts of the penthouse apartment.
“Unifying the space which was particularly difficult because of the apartment’s extended length and two distinct levels. We used a rich, layered material palette and lighting to reinforce an over-arching diagram that consistently connects disparate spaces with common elements and relationships,” shares John.
The colour scheme of the apartment, designed in collaboration with interior designer Sharlene Young, also provides a sense of harmony. The team used shades of blue and yellow in the upholstery, rugs and tiles, reflecting the colours in the dramatic views of Chicago and the lake horizon.
These vibrant shades are also reflected in the artwork hung throughout the apartment, calling to mind a modern art gallery. Since the sloping walls were not ideal for hanging artwork, the team focused on using as much of the remaining space possible for this purpose.
“We wanted to create as much opportunity for art as we could, and also explore unique ways to for art to be displayed,” says John. For instance, they created a custom wall installation that lines the entire length of the upper-level hallway.
The overall outcome is a beautiful, one-of-a-kind apartment that is both contemporary and a nod to the heritage of the building. “I am very appreciative of the trust that our client offered us in taking the risk we did [in creating the curved walls],” says John. “This is something truly unique and inspired and I am very proud of it.”
This article was originally published in Home & Decor.
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