The Lipton House by Brooks + Scarpa

_project: The Lipton House
_architecture: Brooks + Scarpa
_location: Evanston, Illinois, USA

The Lipton House, shows us how simplicity in architectural elements can be orchestrated to imbue a project with unique character. Situated in Evanston, a college town just north of Chicago, the house is a study in the transformative power of materiality and light.

One of the most striking features of the Lipton House is its use of Chicago common brick. This choice of material is a nod to the architectural heritage of the American Midwest, yet it diverges from the typical red brick commonly seen in the region. Chicago common brick, made from local clay, offers a rugged texture and a palette of varied hues. Historically relegated to the less visible parts of a structure, here the brick takes center stage. It is used in a visually arresting screen that fronts the street-facing facade of the house. The bricks are arranged in vertical twisting columns, creating a dynamic brise-soleil that filters natural light during the day and emits a soft, golden glow at night.

This innovative use of brick achieves a mesmerizing moiré-like pattern, which appears to be in perpetual motion as one passes by the house. The effect is not just aesthetic but also experiential, altering the play of light and shadow across the interior spaces and even on neighboring structures. It's a simple yet ingenious way to create a facade that is both functional and visually captivating.

Inside, the house continues to employ simple materials to great effect. Gypsum-board walls made of recycled content, Forest Stewardship Council-certified oak flooring, and non-toxic paint contribute to a sustainable and restrained interior palette. Yet, these elements are composed in a way that maximizes their aesthetic and functional potential, without trying to make them appear as something they are not.

The Lipton House reflects the power of simplicity in architecture. It shows that even common, inexpensive materials can be elevated through thoughtful design to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply resonant with their context and the daily lives of their inhabitants.

_article written by Daniela Moreira da Silva
_film by Breadtruck Films
_curatorship by Architecture Hunter
_cover and image scroll courtesy of Brooks + Scarpa

_drawings by Brooks + Scarpa

1. Schematic Diagram

2. Axonometric

3. Ground Floor Plan

4. First Floor Plan

5. Elevations and Plan Base Course

6. Elevations, Brick Tie Plan and Diagrams