Savage Services is a Utah-based company, and they met Hutter Architects as they were planning to build a sulfur forming facility* along the Calumet River on Chicago’s south side.
Savage was well staffed with engineers, however because of an almost impossibly tight deadline and because they lacked local staff to coordinate and oversee the project, they sought an architect to manage the city’s permitting process.
The project had an extreme time crunch: The building needed to be completed and operational within approximately one year, but a zoning permit was required before the city would begin processing a building permit, and with these consecutive processes each typically taking 6-12 months this meant that no time would be left for the construction.
Hutter Architect’s regulatory knowledge and experience dealing with Chicago’s Building and Zoning Departments and the Office of Underground Coordination not only allowed a smooth and successful navigation of this highly ambitious permitting process, the process was completed in record time and Savage’s design and permit deadlines were met.
Hutter Architects started immediately by meeting to fully understand Savage’s objectives, schedule and priorities. Hutter Architects proceeded to diligently search through the city codes, and where there was conflict, envisioned possibilities instead of roadblocks. Hutter Architects leveraged the high value of the jobs the Savage operation would bring to Chicago against those conflicted areas of the code, and successfully argued with city officials for the unprecedented approach involving simultaneous permitting for both zoning and building. In other words, Hutter Architects found ways through a seemingly impossible situation that led to a win for all parties.
Once the process was on the track, Hutter Architects kept constantly involved to be sure it stayed on track and moving forward. They maintained excellent client communication with weekly phone conferences, checking in and listening to the many stakeholders to insure that their diverse needs and priorities were being addressed. At key milestones, Hutter Architects brought the team together to exchange ideas and in created an environment such that nothing would be overlooked during the fast-forward timeframe.
Hutter Architects also proved highly valuable in a number of unforeseen but critical ways because as the project evolved Savage recognized additional benefits Hutter Architects could bring to the table: Savage engaged Hutter Architects to design a sustainable administration building with a green roof, an electrical power building, and for assistance with the housing around the process equipment. Hutter Architects also worked with the site plan traffic patterns to create efficiencies for moving and stacking vehicles on the way in and out. Finally, Hutter Architects initiated the concept of extending the Savage brand through the design of the building, allowing it to make a bold statement for Savage that they love.
Hutter Architects’ negotiating skills, diplomacy, and extensive and long term experience in working with city departments meant that they were uniquely positioned to interface between Savage and the city to make the seemingly impossible a reality. Hutter Architects was able to not only find a route to connect the two parties, but to do so in an expedient manner that led to a high-value win for all involved. Savage was greatly satisfied with the outcome and also amazed at how successfully it had been transacted. In a letter Tony Worthen the Project Manager said, “…simply saying thank you is not enough to fully characterize my appreciation for all that your team has done to ensure the success of this project… Please convey my sincere appreciation to your team for a job well done and their invaluable service on this project.”
*The process for which this building was built is completely sustainable. When petroleum is turned into gasoline for cars, sulfur and other compounds are stripped out in order to make the fuel burn cleaner. The sulfur is extracted in liquid form, but in order to transfer sulfur as a liquid it must be kept hot. Savage takes molten sulfur and converts it to room-temperature pellets for ease, efficiency and safety in storage and transportation.”
Oak Park, Illinois
The goal of this project was to make the entrance of the Pilgrim Congregational Church ADA accessible by adding a wheelchair lift. Extra attention was paid to match the materiality and style of the original 1989 building and create a seamless transition between the old and new.
Chicago Public Schools: Zenos Colman Regional Offices and Training Center
Chicago, Illinois
The Colman Regional Offices and Training Center received an addition and renovations after the building was repurposed as an administration building from a former CPS elementary school. The addition consisted of a new elevator shaft and machine room. Other renovations included a new interior ramp and to meet ADA requirements, improvements to the newly designated ADA entrance, and painting and restoration of the existing auditorium.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Living Room with Fireplace: The design’s boldness comes from removing the walls around the existing, which greatly expanded the kitchen and elevated it to the heart of the home.
Living Room and Kitchen: A tall bar area provides visual separation between the living and cooking areas, while still allowing the cook to be part of the main event.
Living Room and Kitchen: A tall bar area provides visual separation between the living and cooking areas, while still allowing the cook to be part of the main event.
Bathrooms: A warm, inviting and original color palette that avoids the tired and cliché southwest color scheme.
Front Entryway: The ambience, character and spirit of place drive a design that flows with color that is bold and warm, with correct proportions and with attention to texture and shadow.
Back Yard Living Space: The homeowners like to cook and entertain and with the spectacular outdoor setting, the indoor and outdoor living spaces are now seamlessly joined.
Bin 36 Restaurant: Chicago, Illinois
Elevator modernization to bring elevator to rooftop deck included re-support of elevator equipment room and extension of existing elevator shaft. This project was challenging due to existing structural parameters in the vintage building.
Sewickly, PA
This residential addition included a new front entry foyer and wrap-around porch that completely changed the circulation pattern of the house. The elements were carefully designed to complement the character of the original Georgian style home and to provide space to hang out.
Oak Park, Illinois
Hutter Architects received the Village of Oak Park’s 2012 Green Award, presented by the Environment and Energy Commission for the design of a residential garage rooftop vegetable garden. The awards recognize individuals, groups, and organizations that have demonstrated leadership as stewards of the Oak Park environment.
Highland Park, Illinois
Exterior: The building was crafted to be warm, inviting, and of the high quality synonymous with the programs for which JCYS is known.
Outdoor Recreation Space: From many competing goals, a versatile and vital space is created.
Interior: The building was designed to capture a camp’s rustic, woodsy, kinesthetic experience and so it mimics an exterior space with shingled siding on the walls and a concrete floor that is easily cared for.
Chicago, Illinois
Photography by Mike Kaskal
The new owners of this Lincoln Park home wanted a total remodel of this historic home which required gutting and an addition commensurate with the historic qualities of the original home. The owners also wanted a connection to yard and decks to increase the entertainment area. The plan was opened, light in the home was increased, and significant attention was paid to the new and substantial trim and casework that reinforce the historic roots of this modern home. Niches and cabinetry abound in this home where each space is designed to be a special place.
On the first floor, the Living Room, Family Room, and Kitchen are arranged enfilade or open to each other in a classic line. In summer the view to the yard is reinforced by this axis that includes the island. Cased openings between each room remind you that you are in an older home and that there is the sanctity of smaller spaces making up the large. The kitchen with cabinetry and detailing designed by de Giulio adds to the modern look. The north stair halls provide areas for closets, powder rooms, and piano niche where you would not expect. A bridge for outdoor dining connects to a garage top deck.
The second floor also has a complete new floor plan with Master Suite, daughter’s suite, and Boy’s bedrooms and bath. Skylights bring more light and the north side of the home continues as the circulation and utility side of the home.
The Lower level includes a walkout to the yard, Mud Room, Family Room, Exercise Room, and Guest Suite. All the systems in the home are new and the master control area for these systems is on the north side of the home.