ALLERUZZO RESIDENCE
Frankfort, IL - 2001

Every once in a while an ideal client comes along where their design philosophy is congruent with the architect's and as a bonus the budget parallels their wish list. 

The heavily wooded one (1) acre site slopes down 20' from the street to the 7th tee of Prestwick Golf Club.

The floor plan of this 6,500sf home is organized along a central axis terminating at the turrets on either end. The turrets metaphorically act as hinges allowing the house to break its orthogonal grid and rotate 45 degrees to create interest. A cross-axis running through the entry and living room is expressed in plan and elevation. The client's wanted an open, flowing plan conducive for entertaining. The second floor is organized separating the children's bedrooms from the master suite. They are linked by a bridge through the foyer and living room which boasts a 28'-0" high vaulted ceiling.

The exterior is designed with contemporary French influences; including rear veranda, central fireplace chimney, and colonnaded entry porch. The serpentine shaped floor plan is unified and tied together in elevation with the use of a darker brick base, which is a full story at the rear. The elevation at street level is 2-stories with a raised half story entry section helping to define the cross axis. The south facing, rear elevation takes advantage of the sloping site and allows for a walkout "English basement". The extensive amount of glass provides premium views throughout the house. Another unique feature of this home is the use of precast concrete columns and a clay tile roof, which are not often used in the midwest due to their cost.

This marriage of a pristine site and challenging program was destined for success because a very wise person once said "there is no such thing as a great building … only great clients".

How true!

see the plans