Keck + Keck Architecture Continues to Spark Home Design Ideas

We are pleased to announce that Adon Solutions is working with a client on a home designed by George Fred Keck and William Keck—the acclaimed, Chicago-based architects behind Keck + Keck Designs. The Keck brothers were modernists famous for their elegant, yet practical, mid-century homes that forever impacted the architectural landscape of Chicago’s residential areas.

Also famous for building America’s first glass houses, the Kecks pioneered the passive solar home. They were truly designers ahead of their time. This is precisely why we are so excited to share a historical shout out to Keck + Keck architecture, along with some helpful home renovation tips, with you today!

Hailing from Watertown, Wisconsin, the Keck brothers first became widely known after the 1933-34 Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago where they showcased George Fred’s glass-paneled “House of Tomorrow” and “Crystal House” designs. “House of Tomorrow” was a multi-level, dodecagonal design complete with plate glass exterior walls and an airplane hangar built to replicate the plane Charles A. Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic. “Crystal House” was another glass-paneled gem, with steel framing reminiscent of the work by modernists Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer. Visitors at the fair flocked to see these groundbreaking buildings.

After the exhibition, the Keck brothers’ careers sky-rocketed, as Chicago and North Shore residents came to them with the hope that the Kecks could design a home for them in the same innovative, yet livable, style showcased at the fair.

Keck designs struck an ideal balance for clients; their architecture was expressive but restrained, artistically brilliant but cost-effective. Just like out team here at Adon, the Kecks focused on providing smart solutions tailored to the needs of their clients.

Below are just a few of our favorite home renovation tips.

1. Be prepared

1. People usually spend 10-20 percent more on home renovations than they anticipated. If you plan for this ahead of time, you’ll avoid the stress of feeling you’re going over budget.

2. Put together a timeline of how long the project is going to take and create a calendar that marks which day(s) renovations will take place in which part(s) of the home. Don’t forget to share this with your family, or the people you live with, so they can plan ahead for disruptions.

3. Keep a project log with your calendar to track the products you need, the dates of installations, and any adjustments that need to be made.

4. Give yourself enough time. If you need anything custom-made, place your order several months in advance because those items can take up to three months to arrive.

5. When hiring a contractor you don’t know, make sure to their check references if you haven’t gotten a referral. Also, make sure to speak with your contractor or designer about the added costs of any changes. Even a seemingly small change can cost a lot.

2. Be Specific

1. Examine paint samples and fabric swatches at home in both natural and lamplight. The colors’ appearance changes depending on the lighting. The fluorescent lighting in the store isn’t the best place to gage what the colors will look like in your living room.

1. Go through as many catalogues and magazines as you can and visit showrooms alone as well as with your contractor to visualize exactly what results you’re seeking. Visiting the showroom with your contractor will help you keep your vision grounded.

3. After measuring the height and width of your doorways, hallways, and elevators, make sure to double check that all the measurements of new furniture are accurate, especially if the furniture is custom-made. Furniture with detachable parts makes moving and renovating easier for everyone.

4. Specify how you would like your carpet laid and/or how you want your tile and grout layout to look; discuss where you would like the carpet seams to land, how far apart you would like the tiles spaced, and what color the grout will be.

5. Determine where you will mount items like sconces, cabinets, wall hooks, and bathroom towel bars before putting up your drywall. You want to make sure you have a stable backing for drilling to keep mounted items secured.

6. With your contractor, study all the drawings and layouts, and ask any questions you may have; remain accessible via phone while construction is going on in case a contractor needs further details about a specific aspect of your project.

Good luck with all your home renovation plans. We’re guessing our tips will help, making the Keck brothers proud.