AIADO Faculty Member Wins Peoples Choice Award

The Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosts the biggest little party of the year, showcasing the best residential, commercial and institutional architecture and functional objects designed over the past year. AIADO faculty member, Odile Compagnon, won the Pella Crafted Luxury Peoples Choice Award at the 7th Annual Small Projects LARGE PARTY for her project "Eastwood FireHouse".  This conversion of a 1936 firehouse into a private residence conserves as many of the existing features as possible (hose-drying tower, tiled walls, communal bathroom, collective kitchen, original garage door) and adapts to the requirements of a modern family. While the owners wanted the building to retain its character as a Chicago Firehouse, the main space becoming their living/dining room, it was important to tailor to year round comfort with cutting-edge systems.  This firehouse, which had been abandoned for almost 20 years, has again become a place of conviviality, its owners keen to not only conserve the look of the building, but also perpetuate its role in the community.