A 1950's colonial in the heart of Chicago's northshore community was expanded and extensively renovated. A key objective of the project was to balance a contemporary design and lifestyle with a traditional suburban context. The key iconic elements of the existing house - punched windows, gable roofs, and brick walls - were kept but pared down to reflect a cleaner aesthetic. On a second floor addition, the forms were repeated to unify the house. A more assertively modern stained wood box housing the master bedroom projects out over the rear yard. Inside, a similar box containing a den hovers over the living area which has been dramatically opened up to respond to the needs of the young family and to better relate to the property's grounds. Sustainability was a key in the redesign of the house which was originally slated for demolition; radiant floors, a heat reflecting metal roof, recycled materials, and automated systems contribute to this goal.