Innovative Deck Brings Privacy to a Narrow Chicago Backyard
The striking cedar structure creates an entertaining zone and breaks up an extra-long lot
Annie Thornton
September 22, 2018
Houzz Editorial Staff
This 100-year-old home in Chicago’s Logan Square is characteristic of the neighborhood, says architect Vladimir Radutny. The two-story brick building sits on a long, narrow city lot, surrounded on three sides by structures. There’s no changing that.
So when Radutny’s firm was hired to transform the home’s exterior space, they did something atypical, something to stand out. The backyard redesign features a deck among its enhancements, as many backyard renovations do, but it’s not your typical deck.
So when Radutny’s firm was hired to transform the home’s exterior space, they did something atypical, something to stand out. The backyard redesign features a deck among its enhancements, as many backyard renovations do, but it’s not your typical deck.
Before Photo
“After” photos by Mike Schwartz
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago
Size: The lot is 160 feet long and 35 feet wide
Architects: Fanny Hothan, Jordan Widjaja and Vladimir Radutny of Vladimir Radutny Architects
Before: The existing backyard consisted of a lawn, a cracked concrete walkway, a tangle of overgrown plants and minimal indoor-outdoor connection. The lot’s narrow, extra-long shape contributed to a tunnel-like experience, Radutny says. The lack of screening left much of the yard exposed to the multistory, multiunit apartment buildings that flank it. The home’s original brick exterior hid behind an enclosed porch clad in siding.
The backyard makeover was part of a more extensive renovation Radutny’s firm undertook, which consisted of converting the two-unit, two-story apartment building into a single-family home. After gutting the interior, the architects turned their attention to the outdoor spaces.
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago
Size: The lot is 160 feet long and 35 feet wide
Architects: Fanny Hothan, Jordan Widjaja and Vladimir Radutny of Vladimir Radutny Architects
Before: The existing backyard consisted of a lawn, a cracked concrete walkway, a tangle of overgrown plants and minimal indoor-outdoor connection. The lot’s narrow, extra-long shape contributed to a tunnel-like experience, Radutny says. The lack of screening left much of the yard exposed to the multistory, multiunit apartment buildings that flank it. The home’s original brick exterior hid behind an enclosed porch clad in siding.
The backyard makeover was part of a more extensive renovation Radutny’s firm undertook, which consisted of converting the two-unit, two-story apartment building into a single-family home. After gutting the interior, the architects turned their attention to the outdoor spaces.
One of the homeowners sits on the new deck, while the couple’s older daughter plays on the lower platform.
After: After exposing the home’s original brick exterior and adding new door and window openings, Radutny’s team designed a deck that brings home and landscape together. It’s “not just about going up and down,” Radutny says.
The deck is the backyard’s key design element. It’s a gathering and entertaining destination, playground, privacy screen and corridor for getting from the home down into the yard. It breaks up the lot into multiple smaller areas, reducing the feeling of being in one long, narrow outdoor space.
The irregular edge and unique shape also direct movement to different areas of the yard. Steps down the left side lead to a path of in-ground cedar planks. The radiating portion in the center guides people to the concrete walkway on the right side of the yard and forms casual amphitheater-style seating.
After: After exposing the home’s original brick exterior and adding new door and window openings, Radutny’s team designed a deck that brings home and landscape together. It’s “not just about going up and down,” Radutny says.
The deck is the backyard’s key design element. It’s a gathering and entertaining destination, playground, privacy screen and corridor for getting from the home down into the yard. It breaks up the lot into multiple smaller areas, reducing the feeling of being in one long, narrow outdoor space.
The irregular edge and unique shape also direct movement to different areas of the yard. Steps down the left side lead to a path of in-ground cedar planks. The radiating portion in the center guides people to the concrete walkway on the right side of the yard and forms casual amphitheater-style seating.
Potted plants line one edge of the deck, acting as a guardrail for the corner of the top platform. Vertical cables support climbing plants.
The underside of the deck houses utilities and the air conditioning unit. Toys and garden tools are accessed via the double doors barely visible here in front of the concrete wall.
The deck is finished with a clear-coat sealer and will gray over time.
The underside of the deck houses utilities and the air conditioning unit. Toys and garden tools are accessed via the double doors barely visible here in front of the concrete wall.
The deck is finished with a clear-coat sealer and will gray over time.
A cedar post-and-beam structure frames the same edge of the deck. “It really helps to enclose the space visually,” Radutny says. It also will allow the homeowners to add a more substantial roof structure to the deck in the future.
Its main use now is to hold up the LED-wrapped cables that crisscross above the deck and illuminate the outdoor space at night. The cable’s pattern was designed to slightly mimic that of the decking.
LED lights: Restoration Hardware
See more outdoor string lights
Its main use now is to hold up the LED-wrapped cables that crisscross above the deck and illuminate the outdoor space at night. The cable’s pattern was designed to slightly mimic that of the decking.
LED lights: Restoration Hardware
See more outdoor string lights
An exploded diagram of the deck shows how its construction enabled the decking to alternate direction on the steps, at left.
The architects looked for unexpected ways to add detail to the deck, further establishing it as a standout design piece. You’ll notice one such detail here (as well as in the previous photo), where the steps’ decking alternates direction at each tread. Radutny says he did this to add design interest and to make the steps more visible. It’s easier to see the edges, he says, with the wood running in opposite directions.
The architects looked for unexpected ways to add detail to the deck, further establishing it as a standout design piece. You’ll notice one such detail here (as well as in the previous photo), where the steps’ decking alternates direction at each tread. Radutny says he did this to add design interest and to make the steps more visible. It’s easier to see the edges, he says, with the wood running in opposite directions.
A new two-sided cedar fence lines the deck as it descends into the yard, forming a porous barrier between the home and the adjacent apartment building (whose entry sits just on the other side of the fence). The fence stands about 13 feet tall for the neighbors and between 8 and 10 feet tall on this side.
The architects arranged the cedar slats on both sides of the fence according to how much privacy they wanted to create. The material is more tightly packed closer to the house, creating the feeling of a solid screen. The spacing between slats increases as you move farther from the house, allowing more light to penetrate. “You don’t need as much privacy at that point,” Radutny says.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a native deciduous vine, grows up through the wood slats. Eventually it will grow onto the overhead cables and create a shady, green ceiling in summer, followed by spectacular fall foliage before dropping its leaves in winter.
The architects arranged the cedar slats on both sides of the fence according to how much privacy they wanted to create. The material is more tightly packed closer to the house, creating the feeling of a solid screen. The spacing between slats increases as you move farther from the house, allowing more light to penetrate. “You don’t need as much privacy at that point,” Radutny says.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), a native deciduous vine, grows up through the wood slats. Eventually it will grow onto the overhead cables and create a shady, green ceiling in summer, followed by spectacular fall foliage before dropping its leaves in winter.
The backyard connects to the front of the house via a side yard walk. New plantings, windows and the brick exterior create a sense of continuity between the two outdoor spaces.
Before Photo
Construction photographs show the demolition of the enclosed porch, with the original brick building peeking out from behind.
A site plan shows how the deck breaks up the long, narrow lot, connecting the home to the planted backyard. It also reveals how the front and backyard interact.
Construction: InStyle Construction
More: What to Know About Adding a Deck
Construction: InStyle Construction
More: What to Know About Adding a Deck
Dave Fox is a design/build remodeling firm with a customer focused process, an incredible staff and a close knit... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Our philosophy at Kitchen Kraft is to make home remodeling convenient. We are your one-stop shop for kitchen... Read More
Related Stories
Patios
Key Measurements for Designing Your Perfect Patio
Get the right dimensions for your backyard bistro table, dining area, fire pit, grill or outdoor kitchen
Full Story
Pools
30 Stunning New Pools and Poolscapes
Swimming pools ranging from streamlined to splashy have us dreaming about taking the plunge
Full Story
Landscape Design
12 Small-Deck Design Ideas for Outdoor Dining and Lounging
Space-saving layouts, clever furnishing solutions and creative plantings help make the most of these compact areas
Full Story
Landscape Design
9 Backyard Updates That Will Improve Your Outdoor Comfort
Consider comfortable seating, lighting, patios and play areas to make your yard a place where you want to spend time
Full Story
Outdoor Projects
25 Fun Backyard Design Ideas
With warmer weather on the horizon, consider these inspiring ideas for an outdoor space worth staying home for
Full Story
Landscape Design
Yard of the Week: Seasons of Blooms in an Idyllic English Garden
A landscape designer transforms his own yard from a square of lawn to an inviting, plant-filled retreat
Full Story
Patios
Set Up Your Patio for Ultimate Lounging — Whatever Its Size
Make tiny terraces feel larger and expansive decks look more inviting with these styling tricks
Full Story
Landscape Design
Before and After: 3 Backyards With Zones for Relaxing and Dining
See how designers make over areas where homeowners can lounge, eat and play outdoors
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Ways to Create a Secret Garden
You can design your garden to feel like a secluded backyard retreat, a world apart from the hustle of daily life
Full Story
Landscape Design
Yard of the Week: Low-Water Mediterranean Style and a Food Forest
By Becky Harris
A landscape designer transforms a blank-slate Southern California space into a colorful, drought-tolerant sanctuary
Full Story
Interior shots are available. Click on one of the photos in this deck story and it should bring up thumbnails of the 'Sawyer Residence.'
So unique! Positively lovely!
I think perhaps the new deck fencing does not reduce the light reaching windows in the apartment building next door because an enclosed back porch, possibly of two stories with stairs, was demolished to make way for the new deck. The light and view from the apartments may even be improved as even the tallest section of fence is lower than two stories and because it is better to be looking at an attractive fence rather than than a solid wall from one’s windows. It is hard to be sure that this is the case from the photos given, but it looks like it may well be.