A Clever and Sustainable Architect's House
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- Опубліковано 10 сер 2022
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Welcome to UrbanLab, an architect's office located in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. Hidden behind the rusty surface of its Corten steel façade is a unique live/work building that holds a secret. It's built like a bridge that touches down on a large mound that holds the remains of the grocery store that was previously located on the site. This novel solution to a pretty standard problem is ecofriendly and provides an outdoor amenity useable by neighborhood institutions like restaurants growing vegetables. In this video, we take a tour of UrbanLab with with its founders Sarah Dunn and Martin Felsen to learn about these secrets and more lurking at 3309 South Morgan Avenue.
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Architecture with Stewart is a UA-cam journey exploring architecture’s deep and enduring stories in all their bewildering glory. Weekly videos and occasional live events breakdown a wide range of topics related to the built environment in order to increase their general understanding and advocate their importance in shaping the world we inhabit.
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Stewart Hicks is an architectural design educator that leads studios and lecture courses as an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also serves as an Associate Dean in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and is the co-founder of the practice Design With Company. His work has earned awards such as the Architecture Record Design Vanguard Award or the Young Architect’s Forum Award and has been featured in exhibitions such as the Chicago Architecture Biennial and Design Miami, as well as at the V&A Museum and Tate Modern in London. His writings can be found in the co-authored book Misguided Tactics for Propriety Calibration, published with the Graham Foundation, as well as essays in MONU magazine, the AIA Journal Manifest, Log, bracket, and the guest-edited issue of MAS Context on the topic of character architecture.
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University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture: arch.uic.edu/
#architecture #urbandesign
This house seems pretty divisive among you! I appreciate all the conversation and wanted to chime in with some context that didn't make it into the final cut of the video. Firstly, the building on the site before was condemned and mandated to be razed by the city. It was a single story 3000 sf building. The new house and office takes up the exact same square footage, just reconfigured. So, it doesn't make any more building than what was there originally. The zoning also requires there be commercial space along the street level. However, architects offices are not usually in storefronts with windows because there's lots of expensive computers and equipment. Its more like an office than retail. So, there is definitely a conflict there and this building presents an evolving solution. The facade is built so the panels be easily switched out and replaced with windows. That's in the works in the next year or so. It will not stay as a corten steel wall.
As for the backyard, a building next door (to the south) was demolished very recently, leaving a 25' wide blank spot in the yard to the south. You can see the change in the grass. They are planning to build an event space in that spot. But, as it stands now, the yard looks a little more barren and expansive than it would have otherwise. The current state doesn't fully represent the inevitable potential that will be realized.
Hopefully this context helps clarify some decisions that were made. Even with this, I realize the design isn't everyone's cup of tea. However, I applaud UrbanLab's willingness to experiment and to think of the building and site as a living/changing thing. We're catching the building during part of this process and I'm also excited to see where its headed.
Wow! I really loved this. Amazing job done with all the materials as well as simply putting it together: ua-cam.com/video/EdoZMurKQJA/v-deo.html
Thank you for sharing this find with us, Stewart. While I can't say that I'm in the "love it" camp, I certainly was entertained by the video. You narrated and edited extremely well and showed this creation in the best possible light. Who knows, given enough time, certain elements of this design might just worm their way into my aesthetic subconscious mind. Stranger things have happened.
I lived in Bridgeport for 10 years and while the work Urban Lab does is interesting and useful, their office was perceived as something guarded and castle or prison like. It really had no relationship to the street nor the broader community outside of their own personal relationships (restaurants, politicians, etc.). The corten steel facade had little relationship to the character and context of the area - and I’m not necessarily advocating for a “replicate your neighbors facade” approach, but at least something that is in appropriate to the area. If you didn’t know who Urban Lab was, you’d think it was a shuttered factory. I think we do ourselves a disservice as Architects when we pretend like our buildings and designs do more for the surrounding social context than they actually do.
Your last sentiment - that's a common issue I see on architecture interviews. Architects waxing poetic versus truly showing the relationship and connection to the area. Clearly leaning into trending design, not digging much deeper to design and execute it except into their pockets, and then seeking a way to explain their choice in a way that elevates their own ego. Usually happens with buildings that would certainly stand out versus add beauty and character to a neighborhood that more people than the owners can enjoy. Historical shelter designs also had ecological benefits such as passive heat and cooling, but didn't look like industrial shipping containers or brutalism that echoes some fascist ideas.
Non architect here. I find it telling that when mr Felsen was discussing the factors relevant to the steel cladding he seemed incapable of even casually mentioning the obvious fact that the feature also added light area denial security. As 3D animator who grew up in a kinda rough UK neighbourhood my first thought on seeing windows behind the grill work was "oh nice, adds a little security feature too" but Mr Felsen seemed to 'ignore' this obvious aspect of the feature. why?
As a creative i think its pretty important to be frank about why we design what we design, IMHO its vital for fostering trust and community engagement.
This was my visceral reaction upon hearing that they built on top of a landfill...that they themselves created by knocking down a building which already existed. Good job? No shade, but Professor Hicks could have at least hung a lantern on that aspect, and maybe contextualized it as useful/justified for a given set of reasons. My fear is that he, like they (seemingly), didn't even notice the incongruity.
I like the Corten steel design. However, I would agree that there should be more a of a relationship to the neighborhood, and I think there should have been more perforations, creating silhouettes. Since they’ll never paint the exterior, the “paint” of the rust and holes would have been more engaging to the community at large. I love that they are returning to an ancient city design, as we might observe in a preserved Pompeii, where the houses are walled from the exterior and have a bit of a courtyard sanctuary space.
It's what happens when you use a box to design a box. They decide where the windows go. And what siding is used.
Same rectangle over and over.
Con artist hustlers.
I like the idea and the inside of the building is charming. But the outside looks like an overgrown construction site and seems kind of unwelcoming.
Agree, inside is really well designed, practical and beautiful. Outside materials look somewhat ok in my opinion but way they are combined for outside looks nasty. Honesty that hill just needs some organization, or even bushes/tree's if it needs to be 'wild'. Under bridge part was pretty, but rest of backyard looks kinda just left without purpose or care.
Exactly. Nice interior, awful exterior. The Google Earth street view shows a wide, flat expanse of solid rust.
@@lisakilmer2667 Chicago just isn't ready for it yet. It would fit in well in Brooklyn or Venice Beach. Chicago is too pedestrian
@@nofurtherwest3474 Here you go again. Do you know the architects? You're sure spending s lot of time defending the building. So it's the city of Chicago that doesn't fit the building and not the other way around? Lol
@@cookiemonster208 Chicago is harsh and urban. And it's an urban property with some harsh tones. So yeah it fits.
I guess the people of Chicago are still stuck in that old midwest mentality. This isn't the middle of Illinois. Grow a pair dude. This is a city like gotham. Steel is good
I live right around the corner from this building. (You can see my house in some of the drone shots.) I've always been really curious about it. I disagree that it integrates into the surrounding community, but it certainly is an interesting curiosity.
I have a "living space" in my yard too. I always thought it was weeds, but now I know better. Thank you.
weeds are just plants that are there to mess up what you want to plant, if you just want nature they're just your pet plants.
Saying the office is designed as a very public oriented space, and then putting a giant rusting metal wall on the sidewalk seems a little strange. Still a beautiful building
Lmao I thought that was wild as they said that and then showed a steel cage on the front of the building as if its an abandoned building
@@loganlas4146 weathering steel is a trend right now. Architects all over are finding excuses to use it. I'm not 100% on board with its use here, but I like it. Nice warm color and texture, durable and long lasting and recyclable.
Beautiful? I think it looks hideous lol. To each their own I guess.
Some people were talking about how it was mostly for security, which is fair, still, why try to justify with the exact opposite lol
I lived 3 doors down from here for years and was one of Felsen's architecture students. Everyone seems to draw issue with how cold the corten facade is relative to the streetscape - which is fair. In his lectures though he explains that this is partially a security measure thanks to how many shootings used to occur along Morgan St. It's nowhere near as bad as it used to be when this project was built but in my time living near here, it's clearly still an issue. I don't think we can fairly say that how fortress like this building is is fully a bad thing for when it was built. And factor in that the corten steel facade is more resilient against the frequent graffiti this project receives.
The corten facade is only one of many things everyone has called out about this building and the architects. I applaud people trying new things, but that doesn't qualify the result as good. These two really need to work on self awareness.
Sure, but that's not what he said here. He could have said that the neighbourhood has some security issues and they wanted a way to protect the people and equipment inside while still using a 'living' material on the front.
The major problem is he saying it is welcoming. Security is always fair, arguments need to be honest.
The inverted design orientation is basically a monument to seclusion. Looks less natural and more like an abandoned job site.
I don't know how hot it gets in Chicago but that backyard would get toasted without shade. More trees and an awareness for native grasses and shrubs would make it far more livable for animals too.
How hot their backyard gets is their business, not anyone else’s. So it’s not a valid criticism. Also, Chicago is in the United States’ Midwest, which is characterized by prairies and the plant material on the mound seems to be replicating that
@@thelessimportantajmichel287 I'm sorry but as soon as the video was uploaded to yt their construction choices became open to criticism
I would’ve liked another moment about the material that was buried in the mound & how they constructed it to be structural. That’s a unique & innovative idea but deserves more investigation for replication or duplication at other sites.
"They have immediate access to their back yard via the garage door". Show me the owners clambering up the garbage mound and pulling themselves up to their living room and I'm becoming a member.
"..but it was built with care" . Well it sure isn't maintained with care cause I see grass ripping the cladding apart. I suspect that in 5 years this will leak enough to be good architecture.
Also, was the alley blocked before?
The idea of retaining demolition/construction debris on site is interesting. I’d want it to be more visually interesting than a grassy pile.
The street facade isn’t welcoming at all. The street has some great glass storefronts, but also ones that have been filled in for the years. Eventually these will get reopened, but the corten will remain.
Who cares if it's not welcoming. It's not a starbucks lmao
@@nofurtherwest3474 walkable pedestrian streets with shops & restaurants don’t need a fortress among them. It matters in the larger context.
@@nofurtherwest3474 THE ARCHITECTS CLAIMED it was welcoming. That's the point you are missing in all your comments defending the building (and deriding other people's opinions) - the claims made by the architects and the actual effect of the building are at odds.
@@cookiemonster208 Where did they say the facade was welcoming?
They said it was industrial. Which it is.
It's not Never Land. This is a city, harsh urban environment and steel is perfect to push away gang bangers.
Back in the 60's and before builders would fill up the ditch around the foundations with construction waste. I've never seen this in newer construction. And that landfill mound is huge.
Fun building but the living space obviously doesn't have enough space for living... The counters are filled with tons of stuff-- imagine preparing any sort of food on that! Also, the whole thing is quite unwelcoming with the bare landscape. Missed opportunity for water spaces, living landscapes such as farm/gardens. If you've got this much space, I assume you must also have money to build something like that. It is just so much wasted space in a city that has an affordable housing crisis.
Beautiful architecture/interior with an interesting use of the demolished building repurposed as a landfill mound, but the landscaping is really a missed opportunity. They talk about how the mound helps facilitate water flow across the entire yard, but I feel like they could have incorporated more landscaping to really make full use of the land and mound. Namely, a bioswale and a small pond for some of that runoff would have been really cool and would visually flow well from the green roof and mound.
a spiraling swale down the mound with some key crossings would be pretty amazing.
You are so beyond brainwashed. xD
that was a very low density use of space in cities that are constantly being defined by their higher than suburbs density..... it's a 3 or 4 lot plot next to an actual apartment building that looks to serve 14 or so units/families.....
I seem to be going against the general consensus here as I liked this construction. I like the no nonsense build. However, I do think the landscaping leaves a lot to be desired, as it is a long time after the initial construction. I noted the description of water reuse etc, so why was the owner using a hose to water the mound?
It doesn't always rain.
@@manuelka15 however, correct water re-use and management would allow for this fact. The planting was very green so it did not look like there was a lack of rainfall.
This is where a gray water system could shine!
First thing I've noticed is that "wonderful" stupid front door which looks like it was designed to remove the fingers of the unwary or children. They may design all sorts of things but should not be allowed anywhere near doors. (Retired Architectural metal worker and designer speaking here)
I'm not an expert but the first thing that came to my mind was TETANUS! Sure, you can (and should) get a shot, but it's a terrible idea to foster the development of rust. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I think a common error in site selection is to look for "the best place". This recognizes the strong place character of a site but ignores that it already is a good place, as is, and that building there will most likely degrade its place character.
Conversely, building on a degraded site or one with weak place character will most likely improve that site.
theres no way that second story garage door is in any way up to code lol
It's an interesting bulding, but I don't think dedensifying and urban lot like that is appropriate. I don't know what was there prior, but looking at the surrounding development, there could be 3 homes on that site.
I'm curious how they were able to have that garage door with no railing or steps. I would also think that thing is terrible cold and drafty in the winter. Roll up doors have terrible air sealing properties.
I noticed that they appear to sit on three lots. On Google Earth there was another narrow commercial building on that area where the grass is scorched. Maybe they bought that up also, but it just looks like urban decay to me. And their street view is appallingly unfriendly - a wide expanse of rust with small windows.
@D R Please make more sense.
I would like to know how well insulated that large garage door is in the winter and what sort of radiant heat mitigation there is from those south windows in the summer.
I work from home as well, and really like their concept of dividing the living space from the office this way. Also having a garden outside is wonderful, smart of them to use prairie grasses and wildflowers which can take care of themselves (unlike boring green grass you have to devote a part time job to trimming every few days) the facade has practical uses since honestly Chicago can be quite dangerous (sorry it is) and it makes the property sort of nondescript and less of a target for criminals.
The necessity for security seems well understood by this comment section. However, it's the fact that the architect (and the creator of the video) are intentionally not mentioning this fact which is quite off-putting to people, when it seems so obvious that security is a major factor in the design of the building.
I feel like the weeds put more thought into the design than the architects did. They talk a lot about how the place is supposed to change over time, but it just looks abandoned with a rusting metal façade, dead grass, overgrown mound, and weeds everywhere. It feels like they think sustainability means shoving plants into every corner of your property and nothing else. I had my suspicions about their pretentiousness, but the fire orb sealed the deal. I really wonder what they demolished to build this monument to arrogance.
totally agree, what a pile of nonsense
Hard agree.
Awesome video!! I really live these videos where you go deep into a single object
Sarah and Martin!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Love the Fireorb, shelving, space around the walls for "storage" and the plants.
Thank you for another great video. I always feel so inspired after watching any of your videos!
They did not mention what is contained in the landfill, only that it consisted of material that could not be recycled. What would that be?
beautiful! simple and careful design
The garage door in the living room seems questionable. And the crate in the space below the living area also seems out of place. Otherwise, a brilliant design, esp. the mound.
"This Architect's work bridges over a landfill."
So does anything built in the state of Florida. Gottem.
Thank you so much for this video! I have lived around the corner of here for 8 years and just have always been just so curious on what's actually the inside looks like 😂😂😂😂. Looks amazing!
The two bodies and the mound are awesome! I would want to live like that in a city.
Great project! Thanks for sharing
I like that they put all of the plumbing features, the bathrooms and the kitchen, together in one central spot. That's smart and economical for a second story living space.
Wow! About a year ago I envisioned two shipping container like structures with one suspended on a hillside similar to this on a smaller scale. Very appreciative of this video as a proof of concept! Maybe I’ll have a structure like this of my own one day.
Cool modern design. Definitely has its own character. The garage door/window is a great idea for an exit to the backyard.
Another great video Stewart, a really cool house, though I am convinced you have cooler friends than almost anyone I know. As an aside, my wife and I were talking with a builder about building a modern house and I was smitten with using steel. We were told that steel was prohibitively expensive to utilize. Surprised me, I guess I always thought it was a rather industrial material and, hence, cheap.
Great stuff Stewart
It's incredible to have THAT much space in an urban environment. I guess the land has to be very cheap, since the house takes such little footprint. It must be enough for a couple! But, overall, it seems they really sacrificed square footage for this "feel" of not being in the city
They completely missed a great opportunity with that mound. They could have made terraces or some sort of stepped planters. They just have weeds and wildflowers growing. As I continue to do my degree in civil engineering these types of architects (we have a brilliant plan BLah blah) just annoy me more and more. Go watch Belinda Car cause she has a great sense of practical design. Also they trying to use a "living material" but use steel is kinda rediculous.
huge fan of this house
I like the idea of the mound, but to me it seemed like they didn't fully incorporate it into the space. They talk about how they can open the garage door to access the mound, but then the next shot shows a considerable gap. I think landscaping the mound a bit more (essentially turning it into something like a big stepped garden) and creating a stronger sense of connection between it and the rest of the courtyard would have been preferrable. Also, that metal facade is everything but inviting...
love the house the landscaping not so much
Beautiful ❤️
6:42 I'm in love with that couch and ottoman. Maybe not the color, but the design looks so comfortable, and the sort of horizontal ribbing really breaks up what would otherwise be sort of an orange lump.
an all time favorite!😍😍
…and the best part is that it looks like a shipping container house…without having to use shipping containers…is this architecture?
As always... absolutely fabulous 🥳🥳🥳
I truly love their mindset, even though I am still an architecture student I do lots of research and experimenting nowadays is not so easy but not impossible, thank you again & again Professor Stewart.
Regardless of the issues raised about their relationship with the community, I LOVE the scale and layout of the space. It seems so crazy comfortable and functional. Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful space.
The inside looks lovely but the outside looks like something pulled out of a post apocalyptic zombie movie, 'abandoned chic' maybe? The concept is brilliant, the mound could have be more of a statement with more thoughtful landscaping but sadly it all falls short! 😊
Wow. The comments here. They’re thrilled with their space and design. I love it and they are pushing some forward thinking design. I like that it has a sense of privacy. Good for them!
6:00 NICE transition
Sensacional !!!!
The corten steel façade for the streetside elevation would've been OK if only there're more perforations, a lot more, e.g., full-height glass infill walls (or at least large windows) behind the perforated corten steel sheet. Even possible to make some kind of mural with the perforations.
That corten steel sheet could be as it is now, & be a canvas for fun colourful chalk murals. New murals every few days.
So much potential to connect with the neighbourhood community. Instead, rusty metal plate.
AWSOME
Thanks!
Thank you!
What raises the comfort level the most is clearly the Swiss Mountain Dog. 😁
Ah yes, The Giant Mound That Makes All The Rules, from the hit film, Mound Movie
It's amazing, that the city let them build a landfill in the zoned city area. Environmental regulations usually prevent this. They must be really connected to get that approved.
Nice use of material and I like many of the details. The thing I don't like is the bridge+mound (unsurprisingly) makes a literal, dark 'underpass' where I expect to see trash and a small homeless encampment. This space seems 'leftover'... not fully considered.
Looks like 2 trailers stacked on top of each other.
I'd have had the master bath (really a shower and a toilet) and kitchen above the office section so the second toilet could be tucked away down there without running extra pipe.
In such a small space it would let you get a little distance if the taco farts hit while other people were having dinner or working in the kitchen - plus then you don't need to go up a floor to have a quick wee during work hours and if you have people in you're working with you can have them not use your personal bathroom.
There is a big contrast in their architectural skills and their gardening skills
Unless I missed it, one detail that I'm curious about is how they get from the living space down into the office space below.
Also, I seem to be really digging all these videos!
This would be a dream come true to live there.
During the course of Covid, I've started to gain a growing passion for architecture and interior design - if I don't have a background in Architecture, but IT Project Management, is there space for someone with my skillset to work within an architecture firm?
Not everything has to be math and engineering, right? I'd love some guidance on where to best point my efforts if I were to start exploring firms in my city and see what I could bring.
I like the separation and orientation of the living and work spaces. I feel the mound could have been better shaped. The landscaping is non existent. The uninsulated trusses and garage door seem like they would lower the energy efficiency and make an uncomfortable space in the winter. Also Corten has been so widely used the last 10-15 years, I no longer find it interesting.
Like a displaced airport gate
Sorry placing so much emphasis on the mound is strange. The mound could be a food production oasis. Right now it is a mound of weeds.
Great video about an interesting building. Did I see an outside "stairs" connecting the living space with the top of the work building? If so, nice touch. The front of the building is perplexing. On the one hand, in the right light and from a distance, its pleasant and unobtrusive. It reminds me of some drinking establishments I've been in. Up close or the wrong light and it becomes not so desirable, imo. Some type of pattern or design, that would benefit from the rust color, would add texture. And a little more footage of the kitchen and bath areas would have been nice.
מעולה ממש עובד טוב, אהבתי במיוחד שבמקום "לבכות" על הפסולת מהבניין הישן הפכו את זה בעצם לחלק מהבניין החדש, וזה באדמה ז''א האדמה נהפכת להיות חלק מהבניין...
I'm glad to see the derision in the comments. This channel embodies many things that are wrong with architecture nowadays. Little to no understanding of true value and sustainability.
Pros: I like the solar panels, aluminium siding, green roof, and under bridge area.
Cons: Outdoor rust door, types of plants... and the mound.
Did the thumbnail used to have "Live here, work here" with arrows in it?
Cool. Growing vegetables next a living landfill mound?
Is that a genuine Ligne Roset Togo at 6:40? I'd be super interested to find out who designed it and where it came from?!
Great idea. Hope you remove those vines on the power lines in back though. Yikes!
the story of how a mound saved two boring boxes
We deserve more of these housing & work options in our built environment (urban, suburban, exurban & “rural”). Please find more from other business types too. The note about not having to commute for a job deserves more investigation in our built environment, in general.
Btw, The link for 80000hours doesn’t work like the others. Could you make the change?
Looks like the smoking section at rehab
Dis man really said landscape elements 🤣🤣🤣🤣
What about the summer when it's hot as fuck and your windows are facing south with no external shutters?
Its not really a landfill but rather a pile of garbage with dirt on top. Landfills are areas of land which have been dug out and it is filled with garbage. You see this in old properties the owner doesn't want to pay disposal fees so they bury or pile up the old materials in dirt.
I love this channel but this was like a real life episode of Portlandia. Sarah and Martin seem so obsessed with themselves that they fail to see that nearly everything they say is ridiculous. I wonder if they have tried to justify this building so many times that they have gaslit themselves.
I couldn't agree with this more. The entire video seemed like a very elaborate and expensive parody. I truly tried to watch it with an open mind and adopt the narrative, but I just couldn't manage it. Almost everything about this office, home, and designing couple was laughable.
Liked the building and site, didn't like the outside facing wall. They should just go ahead and say it, they built this in a place they didn't feel safe in and wanted to do something artsy, so they put up an ugly steel wall and fence to keep out the perceived riff raff out.
It's just a building, not a lab!
They built OVER the landfill, not on it.
It's a bit odd to have a landfill in your backyard. I'm not sure what the overall design of it is, but if it's non-recyclable materials I assume that's stuff like insulation, certain plastics, styrofoam, carpets and padding, maybe treated lumber. That's kind of a weird thing to be filtering rainwater through for your back yard.
Also I can't even begin to imagine having a giant garage door in my living room in Chicago.
Great, but outside would need a garden architect
Making a mound out of the demolition is a very low bar for adaptive reuse and sustainable design.
5:43 Oh and old doggy.
the title hurts my head. can somebody explain it
Feeling uninspired. Stacked boxes in a sun-baked, fenced compound. They talk a mean game about “community”, but the project feels like it’s just a few rusty cars and a pit bull away from being the neighbourhood scrapyard.
The neighbors they placed their huge structure 1m away from probably really love them
It’s 3000sf, the exact size of the building it replaced.
@@stewarthicks well, if the neighboring structure didn't have any side windows to begin with, I guess it's fine!
0:15 in summer it must be hot as hell
The 'mound' looks annoying to mow.
Some architects really are haters of WOOD - the one material that could be described as the ultimate living building material.
I guess architects are like chefs, they don't eat the fancy stuff they serve in their restaurants.
Glad that they're happy living there but I do sense some slight pain in the woman's eyes, like "we've made a big mistake but we have to double down forever because we're architects and should've known better because we read books about architecture and city planning etc - please send earth quake so that we can start over without admitting defeat".
It’s nice except I’d replace the weeds with ground cover plants
As someone learning graphic design, it seems more and more to me that design is more about being able to explain your choices in a sophisticated or cool manner. Whether those choices were deliberate or accidental, doesn't really matter. A good designer can talk up any design. So it's more about talking than designing. Or am I just being too cynical?
I feel bad for the neighbours directly adjoining the property, where you can see a part of their wall dips inwards to give windows on that wall some light - and these people have gone and completely blocked off any light from reaching those windows with their monolithic structure. Well done. Very neighbourly and _totally_ "integrating into the area" mmhmm /s