Harold F. Dietrich

Oct 2013

This cottage, built in the 1940's, needed a new kitchen, entry and mudroom. The owners wanted an open and spacious area to cook, eat and entertain as well as a mudroom to keep dirt from getting into the home. The original kitchen was dark, uninviting and a hallway between the backdoor and living spaces. The dining room was also dark and uninviting. By removing the wall between the kitchen and dining areas and installing clerestory windows we introduced a spaciousness and lightness the house originally lacked. The new kitchen and dining spaces share a ceiling form as exists in the living room. By using this vaulted ceiling form and placing the new windows higher we didn't lose any wall space for cabinetry. We also placed French doors to the screened porch to expand the living area outside.

$100k

Deerfield, IL

Oct 2013

A Symphony In Parts . . . I will not make poems with reference to parts, But I will make poems, songs, thoughts, with reference to ensemble, And I will not sing with reference to a day, but with reference to all days, And I will not make a poem nor the least part of a poem but has reference to the soul, Because having look'd at the objects of the universe, I find there is no one nor any particle of one but has reference to the soul. - W. Whitman, Starting From Paumoanok Built in the early 1940's, this home is situated on one of breakfast room is echoed at the front entrance by the new the town's prettiest streets. This street runs east west barrel vaulted canopy.along the crest of a hill, the highest in the town. This project has received a 2003 Merit Award from the Association of Licensed Architects. Typical for its style and era, the original house had a large living room and dining room, small kitchen, large parents' bedroom, two small children's bedrooms, and a small garage. A guest bedroom with porch was located over the garage. Again typical for its era, the house was closed to its yard. The rear facade of the house presented not much more than a solid wall to the yard.

$250k

Deerfield, IL

Oct 2013

The project is a complete renovation of an existing ranch house located on the water. The original house interior was dark and dated and the view out to the water was constricted. So the overall goal of the design was to open the house to its water view and to create a casual, barefoot living space that celebrates the Florida life style. The roof was popped up and a sunrise window was added to capture views out to the water and sky.

$150k

St Pete Beach, FL

Oct 2013

Thus, when . . . the loveliness of the many colored gems has called me away from external cares, and worthy meditation has induced me to reflect, transferring that which is material to that which is immaterial, on the diversity of the sacred virtues: then it seems to me that I see myself dwelling, as it were, in some strange region of the Universe which neither exists entirely in the slime of the earth nor entirely in the purity of Heaven; and that - I can be transported from this inferior to that higher world in an anagogical manner. - The Abot Suger (upon the construction of the cathedral at St. Denis) When adding a second floor to a ranch it?s important to make the addition compatible with the existing structure while using the addition as an opportunity to develop a new language for the house. This project included adding a second floor with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The owners? wish list included that all of the new bedrooms have a southern exposure. This required that the new bedrooms be aligned along the back wall of the house and that the new 2nd floor hall be at the front. Whereas most houses have the stair running from front to back, this stair starts at the back and the 2nd floor landing is at the front. This arrangement provided two advantages. First, the stair and stair hall receive abundant natural light from the south facing windows. Second, the new doorway between the living room and stair allows a circular traffic pattern at the 1st floor. Triangular projecting bay windows have been added at the stair hall and at each of the facades. These bay windows incorporate art glass in a pattern used by Frank Lloyd Wright at the Unity Temple in Oak Park. The new 2nd floor hall incorporates a large window seat and built-in cabinetry. The vaulted ceiling over this space recalls the hip roof of the house and ties into the vaulted ceiling over the stair.

$165k

Deerfield, IL

Jun 2008

The project entailed expanding an existing ranch house to increase the number of bedrooms and bathroom. The addition was used as an opportunity to remodel the existing interior to improve traffic flow and create a larger kitchen. The houses was opened to its backyard so that, when weather permits, the living space can extend outdoors.

$250k

Deerfield, IL

Jun 2007

By relocating the kitchen sink, we were able to open up the floor plan to achieve a home that accommodates family living whether in small or large groups. Glass pocket doors are strategically placed to ensure that sound is controlled throughout, enabling a work at home couple to have productive work days while the children play as loudly as the like.

$100k

Deerfield, IL

Jul 2006

The project is a new master bedroom and bathroom addition to an existing ranch house.

$100k

Deerfield, IL

Jan 2001

New two story addition and complete renovation of existing spaces.

$250k

Deerfield, IL