Transforming the Traditional

Stuart Cohen and Julie Hacker are a multi-award-winning husband-and-wife architectural team whose vast complementary talents are presented in this first monograph of their residential work. Their elegant body of work is mostly concentrated in Chicago's leafy North Shore suburbs. Informed by both modern and classical principles, the traditionally styled homes inhabit these genteel neighbourhoods like fine pieces of furniture. The completed residences seem effortless but the designs behind them tend to be quite complex. Certain elements appear in each of their houses, including classical axial layouts, custom trim that organises spaces, views through glass cabinetry or French doors into other rooms. Cohen and Hacker work with their clients to understand the way they want to live, allowing them to combine the best traditional architectural elements with contemporary living spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are a particular specialty of this talented duo.