Aggregate Studio

On the boards: A new renovation in Lakeview inspired by layers of change and history in our client’s 1910 frame house. To preserve the option for an ADU later, we’re designing a new main floor for our clients with living and dining areas that connects to the floors above. Layering is key: of spaces, of sightlines, materials, and period styles to create an open space that is functional, bespoke, and full of life.

What a start to 2026! Katia and Josh have been busy this quarter - the permitting of ADUs in Chicago and Evanston, projects with long-time partners and collaborators CMHDC and Here to Stay CLT, finishing up construction on projects in Albany Park and the Gold Coast, a trip to Springfield, and new renovations in Lakeview, Skokie, and Washington Park - we’ve been working to design architecture that uplifts people and places. Check out our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/jC0RRA!

As a mission-aligned architecture partner, one of our roles is advocating for both housing and the profession. Last week, Josh joined other architects for Prairie Grassroots day in Springfield. We advocated to our legislators to use architects as a resource and guide, especially amid ’s ambitious Build program to solve the housing crisis here in the state. If interested in learning more about these proposals, please reach out!

📸 courtesy AIA Illinois

We’re still digesting our brand audit report by Kate Besler of Hearthside Strategies, but wanted to share this fantastic quote by one of our clients. Even though the cardigans are about to go into winter storage, this description of our approach holds. We truly care and want to be a design guide and mission-aligned partner that specializes in community-centered affordable housing and civic projects, delivered with an experienced understanding of regulatory policy and funding complexities, all with an engaged design process focused on empathy, mutual respect, and collaboration.

Check out these before and afters - what a difference a year makes in our basement renovation in Albany Park! With punchlisting complete, this basement will soon be ready for our clients to enjoy! This renovation took a cramped basement, reorganized it to be much more functional and open, allowing for more natural light and a multitude of uses. For more info: https://aggregate-studio.com/albany-park-bonus-basement/

GC: .group

We had a great time hanging out with our friends at and many others at Preservation Forward event last week. We’re big fans of aggregating moments in time in our work through layers of a building’s life, showing changes made, and we’re happy to support the organization through events and volunteering with the .

📸: Maceo Bedar

Nice moments in our Albany Park basement renovation that is wrapping up construction. Photos courtesy our friends/clients!

More info: https://aggregate-studio.com/albany-park-bonus-basement/

GC: .group

Thrilled that our largest project yet just received its permit! The San Miguel Apartments in Uptown, acquired by our clients, CMHDC, out of receivership after Heartland Housing ceased operations and remaining as affordable housing, is receiving new kitchens, bathrooms, finishes, and updated accessible units, along with new electrical services, plumbing, and HVAC. Looking forward to starting construction!

For more information: https://aggregate-studio.com/san-miguel-apartments-renovation/

Client: CMHDC
GC: Chicago Metropolitan Construction
MEP: The Engineering Studio

Spent some time on site this morning to check out our outdoor kitchen in Gold Coast! It’s moving along with the Nanawall, cabinets, and finishes installation in progress. We’re looking forward to finishing just in time for Spring/Summer grilling season!

GC: FCI Construction
Structural:
Nanawall:
Interiors:

Thanks to everyone who has participated in our general, anonymous survey so far! Your help in our brand audit is immensely appreciated. We’re closing responses on Friday, so there is still time if you’d like to fill one out - it will take about 15 minutes. Thanks for being part of the next steps of Aggregate!

https://form.typeform.com/to/as3Osmfu

Down to the last few weeks and everything is coming together at our basement renovation in Albany Park. Final paint colors, finishes, and hardware choices make for a busy few weeks collaborating with our wonderful clients until the finish line. It’s been great working with .group as the GC on this project and we’re looking forward to completion and professional photos!

As Aggregate approaches our third anniversary, we’re taking stock of what we’ve achieved and who we are as a firm as we continue our growth in 2026. We’ve engaged Hearthside Strategies to perform a brand audit, which includes targeted and general surveys. We invite you to participate in our general, anonymous survey, taking roughly 15 minutes to complete. Thank you for being part of the journey!

https://form.typeform.com/to/as3Osmfu