Wheeler Kearns Architects Multi-family Residential
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Wheeler Kearns Architects - Mission Bosworth Townhomes Milwaukee Belden T.O.D. 1611 W. Division
When a space we design resonates with your deepest intention, it has a lasting and powerful impact. As we work with you, we devote all our energies to understanding your core purpose, the transformation you seek, your mission.
We want to see your challenge through your eyes. Doing this guides us to what we call the “emotional center,” the heart around which your entire project revolves. We return to that central idea as we craft concepts, help you make decisions, and refine our responses to those choices. Everything from the big-picture view to the design of a door handle evolves from that emotional center.
The result is a space that responds uniquely to your life. When a client contacts us years after a project is complete to let us know she’s “just sitting here experiencing beyondexpectations contentment,” we know we’ve gotten it right.
Wheeler Kearns is a collective practice of architects.
We work with people who seek to enrich their lives in spaces that embody their purpose, energy and vision.
Bosworth Townhomes
Year Completed Unbuilt Location Chicago, IL
1220 Bosworth re-examines the townhouse typology with two distinct exterior expressions; one that relates to public and scale of the neighborhood, and the other that provides a more intimate, private experience for its residents and guests.
Beyond a new tree-lined streetscape, the public face unifies the individual homes though a continuous concrete base and textured metal cladding. A band of clerestory windows connect the concrete to the ribbed panels, and bring light in to the first floor while maintaining visual privacy from the street. Varying punched windows above nod to the scale and texture of the predominantly masonry structures and openings in the neighborhood.
The continuous concrete base steps out of character to signify the entry, lifting to form a portal that leads to the heart of the project – a private, light-filled courtyard and each resident’s front door. Residents and guests enter through the secure entry portal and encounter a broad stair that leads to an unexpected exterior courtyard of light, reflectivity, and landscape. Its defining walls, clad in large scale polished porcelain panels, reflect the sun and movement of trees across its surfaces.
Each residence is accessed through a private yard enclosed by translucent panels that reflect light, shadows, and traces of landscape. Permeable brick pavers contrast with the reflective surfaces and provide texture to the ground, out of which birch trees and flowers emerge.
Stairs down to grade
Raised planter with red cedar trees Pathway to private gardens (Blue roof)
Year Completed 2017 Location Chicago, IL Photography Tom
Milwaukee Belden TOD
Milwaukee Belden T.O.D. anchors a transportation hub and uses Transit Oriented Design principles to responsibly increase neighborhood density, economic revenue, and mass transit ridership, without increasing vehicular congestion.
Located just steps away from a CTA Blue Line Station in the Logan Square neighborhood, the oddly shaped “flattened bowtie site was both a design constraint and an opportunity. Instead of a conventional “wall” building approach, two volumes are arranged vertically at either end, leaving an open space in between that becomes a desirable public amenity for the community.
Two mid-rise buildings, purposely varied in height and massing, embrace the pentagon-shaped edges in their form and floor plates to highlight the uniqueness of the site. These shapes help generate 38 thoughtful and unique unit plans throughout the 216 apartment homes, ranging from studios to three-bedroom, two-bath units. Ten percent of the units are affordable and distributed indistinguishably throughout to create a true mixed-income community.
Contemporary uses of glass, metal, and concrete embody Chicago’s continuing pursuit of architectural innovation. Conversely, natural and more textured materials such as trees, boulders, wood benches, gabion walls, green rooftops soften the site and enrich the street experience.
Building creates a wall to neighborhood and blocks southern light
Major bus intersection Vistas no greater than existing neighborhood buildings
Public arrival via the California Blue Line stop
Caifornia Avenue
ToOhare
MilwaukeeAvenue
ToDowntown
Large void allows light and view to neighborhood
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Washtenaw Avenue
Residential and retail entries combined off narrow commercial street
Biking Highway
Site Selection Traditional “Wall” Building
The site is located just steps away from CTA’s California Blue Line Station in Logan Square. The project encourages use of alternative transporation, including bicycles and public transit.
North corner volume vertically expressed, creates “landmark” for Blue Line Stop
Glass and metal panel facade provide daylight and views
Retail spaces open to plaza
Water-efficient landscaped plaza, permeable paving
02 04
In assessing the site potential for best residential and commercial use, a low-rise building was first explored, running the length of the Milwaukee corridor. The resultant massing was found to wall off the residential district behind; studies showed that it put the adjacent residences into shadow for extended periods of time.
Heat island effect Green Roof
Gabion wall and trees screen parking in rear
Expressed bays activate the facade
Private entries off residential streets
Maximize Open Space Density + Community Connectivity
Instead of the traditional “wall” building, the center is removed and stacked above, creating a large public center space anchored by tall landmarks on each corner.
216 apartment homes range from studios to three-bedroom, 10% are affordable. The plaza provides relief to the narrow sidewalks, activates the street experience, and links residents with the community.
North Building South Building
Floors 6,8,10 Exterior Balcony Elevator Lobby
Barrowed Light One-Bedroom One-Bedroom One-Bedroom Plus Media Rm One-Bedroom, 1.1 Bath Two-Bedroom, Two-Bath
1611 W. Division
Year Completed 2014 Location Chicago, IL
Awards: 2015 - ULI Vision Awards ‘Smart TOD’
Photography Tom Rossiter
Situated 300 feet from the Blue Line train entrance and Polonia triangle, 1611 West Division is dedicated to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution in its outreach to mass transit users, bicyclists and pedestrians. The 125,000sf, 11 story building includes 99 mixed income apartments, second floor offices, ground floor retail and zero parking for building residents.
The parking reduction eliminated the parking ‘podium’ so commonly seen throughout Chicago. Instead, the inflecting facades create a broader sidewalk, enhancing the pedestrian experience, while a continuous canopy provides scale to the tall storefront and building above.
From great distances, the sleek, multi-faceted building creates a stunning, two-dimensional graphic navigating landmark. Upon approach, the building’s folded façades, comprised of staggered, non-repeating panels of metal and glass reveal depth and texture while capturing light and reflecting the energy that characterizes the intersection and individuality within the community.
As part of the commitment of the arts to this neighborhood, the project incorporates a 92’ tall art installation on the west facade, curated by the design team to initiate a dialogue between the building, the art and its community. Together, the building and the installation further the development of a vibrant cultural corridor along Division and Milwaukee.
Second Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Office Tenant Bicycle Parking
Office Tenant
Bicycle Parking
Laundry Dropoff Storage Lockers
Mechanical/Electrical Fitness Room
Laundry Dropoff Storage Lockers Mechanical/Electrical Fitness Room
