Wolcott House

A 1913 three-flat is transformed through distillation into a warm, minimalist home for a multi-generational family.

In Chicago’s North Center neighborhood, a three-flat originally built in 1913 was thoughtfully gutted and reimagined as a single-family home for a multi-generational family with young children. Within the historic shell, a maze of small rooms on the ground floor was replaced with an open public living space, anchored by a kitchen made possible through the removal of a load-bearing wall and the introduction of an expressed steel beam. The design takes a distilled, minimalist approach, with a warm material palette of white oak floors and custom millwork that balances durability with refinement. The result is a serene, light-filled, and kid-friendly home that supports both shared family life and moments of quiet retreat.

A linear public space is subdivided by a white oak screen wall that anchors the new dining room.

A load bearing wall is replaced by an expressed steel beam, framing an opening to a large kitchen and walk-in pantry. Sandblasted glass allows daylight to pass through the pantry window to the family room.