Renovation

On the Ravine | Highland Park

Situated on a huge ravine and located a half block from Lake Michigan, this project entailed a full gut rehab of an existing 1950’s Mid Century Modern ranch. A separate professional office was also added in the lower level, with a walk out connection to the amazing backyard.

The kitchen, dining room and family room were originally all smaller, separate rooms. In the updated plan, this was all opened up and connected to create a great room. The fireplace between the dining room and family room is now freestanding and was reclad with stone. The existing windows facing the ravine were changed to provide more windows and taller ones to maximize the view. The new kitchen is a ‘U’ shape with an island that centers in the newly opened up space. The existing screened porch was converted into a four seasons room. In the bedroom wing, a dramatic corner window was added to the northwest bedroom to provide excellent views of the ravine. 

An interior connection was made to the garage, which was not the case originally.  The connection leads to an office and laundry area.

The exterior features ‘sho shugi ban’ charred black siding, which provides design contrast with the orange stained wood front door and the locally manufactured PAC-Clad standing seam aluminum metal roof.  

The home was completely reinsulated with closed cell foam. The new Sierra Pacific windows are high efficiency double glazed, low E, argon filled units. The home is prewired for EV car charging, a battery back up system and roof mounted PV panels.  A Savant smart home systems controls many of the home’s features.

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