NORTHSHORE RENEWAL

Modern Exterior Renovation | Suburban Chicago

This suburban Chicago home—part mid-century modern, part farmhouse, and part split-level—had lost its architectural identity after decades of disjointed additions. Saurman Architecture was brought in to reimagine the home’s curb appeal, enhancing its street presence and shifting focus from the oversized garage to a welcoming, modern front entry.

Like many “snout houses,” where the garage dominates the facade, this home was originally designed around automobile access rather than human experience. The goal was to reverse that priority—minimizing the visual impact of the garage, creating an inviting entry sequence, and restoring a sense of architectural cohesion.

By introducing a charcoal-grey colored stucco to the garage and entry, the eye is encouraged to follow the lowest roofline to a new flat roofed porch above the entry, drawing one’s eye away from the garage and to the front door. Warm wood accents, a new wood-paneled garage door, and layered landscaping serve to soften the ensemble. A new board formed concrete accent wall with integrated address signage completes the entryway, offering a sense of arrival protection as visitors transition from exterior to interior.

This project is currently under development.