Comfort, Style +

A Suburban Backyard

Winnetka, IL
7000 sq ft
Full design of new construction SFH
with Cat Walsh Interior Design and Huff Group

In a home built for lively family living, the design balances privacy, practicality, and warm traditional details with a fresh sensibility and a desire to make the most of that expanse of green.

Converting a 4-story, timber loft building into office space that welcomes a hard-working staff and high-end clients presents an architectural puzzle: how to soften the space while maintaining high functionality; bring light into a deep floor plate; and create an upscale atmosphere that draws people in and reinforces the brand. En Masse’s holistic approach to the challenge centered around perfecting the layout to serve all occupants and establishing interior architectural elements that enable and enhance office life.

Suburban houses have two faces — the one that sits street-side, fitting in with the neighbors; and the one in back, which, in the case of this En Masse project outside Chicago, defines both a more personal style and an update on family living. With a shingled exterior and a perfectly balanced columned entry that channels historic charm, the front facade offers a warm and welcoming presence; while the rear of the home incorporates large windows in a subtle tweak toward contemporary design that shifts the focus to the outdoors.

En Masse prioritized placing main living spaces in connection with the outdoors, designing a home that wraps the backyard to create the effect of more private outdoor spaces in spite of adjacent homes. From the central kitchen with a birds-eye view of the backyard action to the third-floor home office under the eaves, each room has a unique connection to nature. An open plan allows for long sightlines and easy connection for the family, while friends are invited to gather with details made for entertaining — including a bar placed within close reach of the front door.