Photography: Roger Davies
Modernism often gets a bad reputation. It’s often construed as cold and unapproachable, but architect Celeste Robbins It is her mission to change this perception. In her book, you can see how her contemporary residential designs exude an inviting, comfortable spirit. The Meaningful Modern home: Soulful architecture and interiors. Read on for Robbins’ take on local architecture and the warm side of modernism.
What do you think about the residential architecture of Chicago? Chicagoans want a tranquility in their homes that was previously only associated with vacation houses. Architects have responded to this demand. We are creating homes that celebrate Lake Michigan and Midwestern summers, while other states might be luring homeowners away from winter.
Many shy away from modern design thinking it’s too cold and sterile. How can you add warmth to your projects? Modern principles, when applied well, are very warm to me. Modernism relies more on balance and proportion than symmetry. This flexibility allows for a home that authentically represents the people who live there to be created. For instance, certain walls can be left plain to…
