Chicago-based practice Kwong Von Glinow has offered an insight into its new residential scheme serving a “retreat in a forested clearing.” The scheme’s title, House, Some of This, Some of That, is both the formal name for the project as well as a reflection of the scheme’s architectural approach.

Currently in design development, the 2170-square-foot project centers around nine T-shaped volumes, strategically positioned on a grid. The volumes contain essential functions such as utility, storage, and wet spaces while rotating relative to each other to create distinct yet interconnected living spaces. The layout allows for a seamless flow between the family room, dining area, kitchen, office, library, reading room, and bedrooms, providing a unique sense of spatial division without traditional walls.

The floor plan encourages openness while maintaining a sense of intimacy through subtle spatial boundaries. The cast-in-place concrete flooring is designed to follow the site’s natural topography, gradually rising two feet with incremental 6-inch steps. The stepped layout integrates the home’s interior with the outdoor terrain, enabling movement through the space as if walking through the landscape.

A key feature of the design is the continuity of materials between the interior and exterior. Cinder-block walls wrap around the T-shaped volumes, reinforcing a cohesive connection with the surrounding environment. The corrugated roof design further enhances the concept, featuring a circular canopy that extends beyond the home to create sheltered patios, blending indoor and outdoor living. 

“Distinctive volumetric skylights carve out primary geometries from the monolithic roof plan and create unique atmospheres for the living areas,” the team adds. “House, Some of This, Some of That avoids a singular way of living and gives clarity to the architectural elements fostering this openness.”