Infill Facade Modernization

Chicago, Illinois

Habit Architects unbuilt design modernized the street-facing facade of a Chicago infill home that began as an early factory, later converted into a single-family residence. The original commercial frontage read as purely utilitarian, easy to overlook on a busy corridor and visually diminished by taller, larger neighboring buildings.

The façade renovation reframed the building’s identity from “former industrial” to unmistakably residential. Through a refreshed composition, improved proportions, and a more intentional relationship to the sidewalk, the updated exterior gives the home a confident presence on the street while respecting the tight infill conditions. The result is a durable, contemporary facade that better reflects how the building is used today: as a home.