Several DE Members and friends toured Evanston’s First Certified Passive House at 1210 Maple Avenue. The tour was given by DE Member and Architect of the home, Nate Kipnis, FAIA, of Kipnis Architecture + Planning. This net positive Passive House owned by Margaret Stender integrates the most rigorous sustainability standards with a modern design aesthetic in the challenging context of the Ridge Historic District. The home was completed on Earth Day, April 22, 2024.

Several Design Evanston members gathered in a inspiring environment at the Evanston Rebuilding Exchange, over hors d’oeuvres and beverages for good conversation, connection, and informal brainstorming for future programming.

Jack Weiss, Founder and Board Member Emeritus of Design Evanston, presented a recommendation at the City of Evanston Land Use Commission Meeting on the EE 2045 Comprehensive Plan to install an Urban Design Commission (UDC). Jack asserted that a UDC would be critical to the success of many of the efforts in the Comprehensive Plan, noting several sections in the draft document where the involvement of a UDC should be inserted. The formation of such a Commission was originally proposed in 2023, in collaboration with city staffer Cade Sterling (Preservation), but it was tabled as a topic to address once the then upcoming Comprehensive Plan process was underway. Design Evanston/Jack, is reminding that this need has been overlooked and now is the time to re-visit.

Dave Galloway, Vice President of the DE Board, presented an overview of the official statement prepared by professional members of Design Evanston which included specific suggestions to help improve upon the subsequent draft of the EE2045 Comprehensive Plan. The statement was included as part of the City’s 1/29 Land Use Commission meeting agenda package, available on the city’s website, and was well-received by the commission, spurring further discussion. A large portion of the statement was quoted the following day in the Evanston Round Table.

Continuum Capital Partners, Luxury Living Chicago and Antunovich Associates Architects presented to Design Evanston professional members for review of their planned development “The Apartments at Church Street Plaza” – a 27-story tower with 358 dwelling units at 900 Clark Street. The meeting was held at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center.

Design Evanston professional members reviewed plans, drawings and renderings presented by local realtor/developer Paul Harb, and architect Gregory Geslicki of OCGG Architects (CA) for a 5-story mid-rise residential building, consisting of 30 dwelling units. The meeting was held at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center.

Design Evanston professional members met at the Evanston Public Library for a working session to review and discuss the proposed Envision Evanston 2045 Draft Zoning Ordinance. The result of this and possibly a 2nd meeting was to prepare a formal DE review to submit to City officials and the Land Use Commission at a future date.

Design Evanston professional members met via zoom for a 2nd session to discuss the City of Evanston’s Envision Evanston 2045 Draft Comprehensive Plan. Three breakout groups discussed the following chapters: Future Land Use Strategy, Land Use, and Housing. The result of this meeting was to formulate official DE comments to be shared with the City officials and the Land Use Commission at a later date.

Professional Members of Design Evanston met at Three Crowns Park to discuss the City of Evanston’s Envision Evanston 2045 Draft Comprehensive Plan. Bob Teska, longtime Evanston-based urban planner and co-founder of Design Evanston was in attendance. Consolidated remarks from this session were to be shared with representatives of the City of Evanston’s Planning Department.

The property management team at Tapestry Station hosted Design Evanston members for an exclusive tour of this new community on the Main Dempster Mile. The tour included access to three of the 27 distinctive floor plans, including studio, one, and two-bedroom rental apartments as well the fitness studio, co-working space and rooftop deck.

Design Evanston professional members participated in a presentation of the proposed 605 Davis Street project by Kerry Dickson and Richard Choi–Vermilion Development, Chris Dillion–Campbell Coyle, and James Michaels–Solomon Cordwell Buenz. The proposal is for a mixed-use office and residential tower with ground floor retail and parking.

Design Evanston professional members participated in a zoom presentation of the Civic Center Plaza proposal by City of Evanston Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmezak, and Living Habitats consultants, Heidi Natura, and other members of her team. An official Design Evanston review statement was sent to Paul in early January.

Design Evanston professional members were hosted by developers CDG Real Estate, Catapult Real Estate Solutions + CityPads Chicago at Tapestry Station to give input on their proposed multi-family planned development project for 910-938 Custer Street. Plans, renderings and materials were presented.

Our 2024 Design Awards Presentation, held at Double Clutch Brewery, honored nearly 40 projects that brought significant aesthetic and functional improvements to the Evanston community. The event was attended by over 100 award recipients, Design Evanston members, and city and community partners. Visit our awards page to see the winners.

Attorney Michael Ezgur and project architect Tim Kent presented the latest design schematic of the 1621 Chicago Avenue development, a 12-story proposal. (This was the 2nd time Design Evanston members were invited to review this project — the last review was April 15 of 2019.)

Several Design Evanston members were present at Bookends & Beginnings (co-hosts of the event) for a presentation by residential architects Stuart Cohen and Julie Hacker about their new book, First Additions: Strategies for Adding On, which presents theoretical essays about making additions followed by a portfolio of their house additions.

Howard Weiner with Chicago Development Partners presented his 1300 Chicago Avenue planned mid-rise, project (NW corner of Chicago and Dempster) including 77 dwelling units, to Design Evanston professional members for their review.

Several professional members of Design Evanston participated in an event at SPACE hosted by the City of Evanston which called for community members who work with and make decisions affecting Evanston’s built environment, including real estate professionals, architects, engineers, various organizations and community leaders. Attendees were be presented with development scenarios for three locations with possible future development potential.

Design Evanston was invited by the City of Evanston and its EE2045 consultants to participate in a Design Professionals focus group as part of the Envision Evanston 2045 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code update process, held at the Evanston Public Library. Several DE members were in attendance for presentations and discussion.

Twenty four Design Evanston professional members and affiliates took a hard-hat tour led by owner Steven Rogin of the in-progress adaptive re-use of the Varsity Theater building in downtown Evanston. The building will house 10,000 square feet of retail space (some in Bookman’s Alley), 33 apartments, and 2 live/work spaces.

Seven Design Evanston professional members were in attendance at architect/author Ryan Chester’s presentation of Chicago Reflected a unique and playful hand-drawn exploration of the Chicago River’s Landscape, held at Bookends & Beginnings, co-hosts of the event.

As part of the City’s Envision Evanston 2045 initiative, 17 Design Evanston professional members and affiliates met at Robert Crown Community Center with HDR, Inc., the consulting firm facilitating the creation of the City of Evanston’s new comprehensive plan and zoning code to share ideas and contribute thoughts. DE Board VP, David Galloway, is in continued conversation with City Planner Liz Williams and HDR on this topic.

The new board re-elected Laura Saviano as president and Dave Galloway as vice president. Robert Natke was elected treasurer, Paula Bodnar Schmitt communications director, Elliott Dudnik, and Ariel Goldfarb members at large.

DEs annual meeting was held at the Firehouse Grill. Key results of the recent membership survey were discussed. A new board was elected comprised of Laura Saviano, Dave Galloway, Elliot Dudnik, Rob Natke, Paula Bodnar Schmitt and Ariel Goldfarb.