To seamlessly merge new contemporary interiors with the older shell of an architecture classic, requires skill and a context-sensitive touch. Found within Mies van der Rohe’s iconic 860-880 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, this apartment is a prime example of such an approach, overseen by Vladimir Radutny and Fanny Hothan of Vladimir Radutny Architects. The 750 sq ft Unit3E has just received a modern makeover, courtesy of Radutny, who saught to pay homage to the timeless structure and its lakeside location through his design.
The Lake Shore Drive buildings, designed by Mies van der Rohe, were erected between 1949-1951, and form a set of the American city's most well known architectural landmarks. This pair of towers helped redefine high rise living for post-war inner city Chicago.
Situated on one of the lower floors of this 26 level tower, the apartment in question offers clean, unobstructed views of the nearby Lake Michigan. Maintaining this view, while being respectful the Mies van der Rohe's original design, was one of the architect's key concerns during this residential rehaul. In order to open up the space to the vistas, the architect chose to completely gut the interior. He opted to work with a fairly open plan living scenario, placing just a frosted glass pane to separate the living and sleeping areas. His changes were inspired by a set of original Mies van der Rohe's plans for the building, which were never implemented.
Radutny wanted to complement the building’s external envelope with his choice of materials, so the interior was themed around an austere and neutral colourway with highlights in white oak. The pallette includes light colours and lots of transparency, while the furniture was planned to appear almost levitating.
The architect's overall aim was to guide the inhabitant's eyes past the apartment itself, and out towards the horizon and surrounding scenery. ‘In a way our intent was to create a backdrop for the existing exterior condition', says Radutny. 'It’s a truly open living space that absorbs its city context’.
The project, overseen by Vladimir Radutny Architects, sees this 750 sq ft apartment pay homage to its picturesque lakeside location
The architect wanted to complement the building’s external envelope, so the interior was themed around an austere and neutral colourway with highlights in white oak
Situated on one of the lower floors of this 26-level tower, the unit offers unobstructed views towards the lake – a feature the architect paid special attention to
To enhance the views, Radutny went for light and transparent materials that wouldn't draw the attention from the vistas beyond
INFORMATION
For more information, visit Vladimir Radutny Architects’ website
Photography: Bill Zbaren
-
Our Tech Editor's selection of new and upgraded audio players covers the full spectrum of formatsWhether it’s vinyl, cassette, CD or mp3, or even sound sources you’ve captured yourself, you’ll find a suitable device in this round-up of pocketable and portable audio players
-
This Swedish summer house is a family's serene retreat by the trees and the Baltic seaHorsö, a Swedish summer house by Atelier Alba is a playfully elegant retreat by the Kalmarsund Sea and a natural reserve
-
A new exhibition retraces 50 years of Pierre Paulin’s history around the table‘Les Tables de Pierre Paulin’ shows a lesser-known side of the designer’s creative world, accompanied by a new book tracing his wife’s hospitality around his iconic table designs. ‘A creator is never alone in his creation…’
-
Brooklyn furniture studio Stillmade unveils its first collaborative design seriesStillmade brings to life the designs of four New Yorkers – Pat Kim, Danny Kaplan, Michele Quan and Mignogna Studio
-
Blue Green Works's lighting champions a new aesthetic in American designManhattan-based design studio Blue Green Works fuses sensuality and masculinity to create mellow, mood-enhancing lighting with visual impact
-
Blue Green Works introduces alluring new lighting collectionInspired by iconography, American design studio Blue Green Works introduces five new lighting ranges
-
Exclusive peek at artfully curated home in Jean Nouvel’s 53 West 53RR Interiors' latest furnishing project – 61A at 53 West 53 – highlights art, architecture and city views inside Jean Nouvel's monumental New York skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan
-
Industrial elements are imbued with elegance in Holly Hunt’s new Los Angeles showroomHolly Hunt and architects Johnston Marklee have created a warm and tactile space in a 1940s building
-
Sculptural ceramic lamps from Brooklyn’s In Common With and Danny Kaplan‘Terra’, a new collection of ceramic lamps featuring tactile glazes, puts Brooklyn studio In Common With and ceramicist Danny Kaplan in the spotlight
-
Sight Unseen launches furniture line with BestcaseEditorial platform Sight Unseen worked with sheet metal specialist Bestcase to launch a collection of 1970s-inspired furniture in collaboration with Home Studios, Studio Anansi and Thévoz-Choquet
-
Roll & Hill and Post Company's lighting designs in Inness are inspired by Georgian bell jarsBrooklyn-based studio Post Company created a new lighting collection for Roll & Hill, inspired by bell jar lanterns and conceived for country refuge Inness
