About
We are a full service architecture firm with a diverse clientele. All of our
projects, regardless of size, are approached in a site and client specific manner with the goal of developing a design solution that is unique and custom fit to that situation. We believe that emphases on the following considerations make for buildings that withstand the tests of time:
Clear Design Process
We strive, at the beginning of each project, to educate our clients about the best processes and procedures that make for effective communication and exchange of ideas. We work through a progression of alternatives motivated by the belief that our architectural intention should be driven by our client’s values and needs.
Team Approach
We promote the active participation of the owner, their representatives and the building contractor at all phases of project development, design and construction. We seek to facilitate and manage effective communications between all involved parties, to prioritize goals with the owner and then to seek solutions that solve as many problems as possible.
Craft + Detail
We bring a combined 35 years of experience with a variety of building technologies and types, both traditional and current. Our built projects stand as demonstrations of how buildings should work at a variety of scales from their situation within a region and a climate to their sense of craft and detail.
Profile
Contact
TOM BROCK ARCHITECT
2908 W FULLERTON, S202
CHICAGO, IL 60647
T: 773-645-8968
E: TOM@THOMASBROCK.COM
Originally built in the 1920's and having undergone a series of additions and renovations in the following decades, the northshore Chicago home provided an opportunity to engage the architecturally and historically rich qualities of the site which predominate the neighborhood context. The alterations to the residence were focused on preserving the character of the original structure while significantly transforming the programmatic functions within.
THIS PROJECT IS A VOLUNTARY FIRE STATION IN RURAL REMINGTON, INDIANA THAT SERVES THE TOWN OF REMINGTON AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE ADJACENT FREEWAY, INTERSTATE-65. THE DESIGN INCORPORATES SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES OF PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING AND SOLAR HOT WATER, GEOTHERMAL HEATING AND RADIANT FLOORS, AND WIND-ACTUATED VENTILATION.
LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO, THIS ECO FRIENDLY BARN PROVIDES A SPACE FOR YOUTH TO BE EDUCATED ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PLANTS AND PLANT MATERIALS. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO INCORPORATE THE MODERNITY OF AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE NECESSITIES OF A RURAL CHARACTER.
PLACED WITHIN AN EXISTING SPORTS APPAREL STORE, THIS RENOVATION PROVIDES A PROTOTYPICAL BRANDED ENVIRONMENT FOR SHOPPERS TO GRAPHICALLY INTERACT WITH THE DISPLAYED PRODUCTS.
A PORTABLE EXHIBIT FOR A START-UP COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURES LCD SCREENS FOR THE DISPLAY OF ARTWORKS.
LOCATED IN THE STREETERVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD JUST NORTH OF THE CHICAGO LOOP, THIS CORNER DRINK SHOP PROVIDES A CENTRALLY LOCATED SPOT FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD TO INTERACT AND MINGLE.
LOCATED IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE CHICAGO LOOP, THE ARGO TEA ON SOUTH FRANKLIN STREET PROVIDES A CONTEMPORARY SETTING FOR USERS TO INTERACT, WORK, OR JUST STOP BY AND PICK UP THEIR DRINK OF THE DAY.
A STREET LEVEL FACADE TREATMENT STUDY FOR A HIGH RISE BUILDING IN CHICAGO'S STREETERVILLE AREA
THIS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION CHALLENGES THE IDEA OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WITHIN UNIVERSITY COMMUNITIES. LOCATED NEAR INDIANA UNIVERSITY, THIS STOP WOULD PROVIDE A TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR BOTH STUDENT AND LOCAL COMMUTERS.
THE PROJECT GOAL IS TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT RECYCLING. WASTE RECEPTACLES CONSTRUCTED OF RECLAIMED BICYCLE COMPONENTS PROMOTE RECYCLING EFFORTS WITHIN THE CITY, AS THESE ICONIC ELEMENTS ENGAGE THE URBAN POPULATION.
THIS MEMORIAL PROVIDES A PLACE OF SOLACE IN WHICH ONE CAN REFLECT UPON THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND SPACE EXPLORATION.
THE PROJECT ENTAILED A LIBRARY EXPANSION AND RENOVATION FOR THE COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AT THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. THE SEMI-INTIMATE SPACES FACILITATE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP RESEARCH AMONG THE STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE. AN INNOVATIVE RADIANT COOLING SYSTEM CONTAINED WITHIN THE SUSPENDED CEILING PANELS SERVICES THE SPACE.
LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST SUBURBS OF CHICAGO, THIS PROJECT PROVIDES RECREATIONAL AND OFFICE AMENITIES TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT. THE CLUBHOUSE CONTRIBUTES A CENTRALIZED GATHERING PLACE AND PROMOTES A HIGHER LEVEL OF INTERACTION BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
A SERIES OF PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN AT THE MICHIGAN SHORES CLUBHOUSE, ORIGINALLY DESIGNED IN 1928 BY THE RENOWNED ARCHITECTURE FIRM BURNHAM & BURNHAM. THE LAKE SHORE CLUB PROVIDES DINING FACILITIES AND A PLACE OF RECREATION FOR THE LOCALS.
MISCELLANEOUS RENOVATIONS AND PROJECTS FOR ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY'S MAIN LIBRARY.
PROVIDING BOTH AN ADDITION AND RENOVATION TO AN EXISTING 1950 PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, THE CONVERSION ALLOWS THE NECESSARY PROVISIONS FOR AN ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL PROVIDES A PLACE OF LEARNING AND ADVANCEMENT FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE EIGHTH GRADE.
A SERIES OF PHASED RENOVATIONS TO THE MAIN LIBRARY ON THE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY'S CHICAGO CAMPUS.
THIS PROJECT IS A RENOVATION OF A WAREHOUSE BUILDING INTO ARTIST STUDIOS AND OFFICES. THE PROJECT SETS OUT TO PROVIDE A SPACE FOR INSPIRATION AND INTERACTION AMONG LOCAL ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
MISCELLANEOUS RENOVATIONS AND PROJECTS FOR CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS' IRVING PARK CAMPUS.
THE CLIENT SOUGHT TO CREATE A GREEN ROOF WHICH WOULD NOT ONLY REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IN THE CITY, BUT WOULD ALSO SERVE AS AN ICONIC ELEMENT WHICH WOULD FURTHER THE CAUSE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN CHICAGO. THE IMAGE FORMED BY THE PLANTINGS IS A PIXELATED ABSTRACTION OF THE FACE OF THE CLIENT'S DAUGHTER.
THIS PROTOTYPICAL HOUSING DESIGN SEEKS TO ENGAGE THE ACTIVE NEIGHBORHOOD SURROUNDING WRIGLEY FIELD IN CHICAGO. THESE EIGHT RESIDENTIAL UNITS ALLOW FOR THE NECESSARY PRIVACY OF LIVING QUARTERS WHILE PROVIDING A SPACE FOR THE INHERENT ROOFTOP ACTIVITIES THAT GIVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITS CHARACTER.
THIS PROJECT IS A FULL RENOVATION OF AN EXISTING TWO-STORY MASONRY COACH HOUSE, LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC HYDE PARK NEIGHBORHOOD. THE RESULT IS A THREE-STORY SINGLE FAMILY HOME ACCESSED THROUGH THE REAR ALLEYWAY. THE DWELLING MAKES USE OF SUPPLEMENTARY SOLAR HEATING DURING THE TYPICALLY COLD MIDWEST WINTERS.
CONVERSION OF A THREE BEDROOM LOFT CONDO UNIT WITHIN THE HISTORIC STUDEBAKER LOFTS IN CHICAGO'S SOUTH LOOP DISTRICT. THE SURROUNDING WAREHOUSE DISTRICT PROVIDED A PLATFORM FOR THE SIMPLE MODERNITY IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THIS DESIGN.
THREE-STORY ADDITION TO AN EXISTING MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCE. THE DEMARCATION OF NEW FROM EXISTING IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE SHIFTING OF FLOOR ELEVATIONS, CREATING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AS ONE ASCENDS THROUGH THE SPACE.
THIS RESIDENTIAL ADDITION PROVIDES A LIBRARY AND OFFICE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF AN ACTIVE SENIOR CITIZEN. THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROMOTES A DIRECT INTERACTION WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
DESIGNED AS A STUDIO AND RETREAT FOR AN ARTIST, THE STRUCTURE'S NATURAL CONTEXT SERVES AS A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND RECREATION FOR THE OCCUPANT.
THE DESIGN OF A RETIRED COUPLE'S PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE IN A HISTORIC CHICAGO SUBURB.
LOCATED IN THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, THIS WEEKEND RETREAT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE MAGNIFICENT VIEWS OF HUNTER MOUNTAIN. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE TOOK PLACE OVER AN EXISTING STRUCTURE AND WAS DESIGNED AS A "HOUSE WITHIN A HOUSE". ALL MECHANICAL SYSTEMS ARE MONITORED BY A CENTRAL COMPUTER WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED BY A PHONE.