chicago architecture Archives - Page 2 of 6

2023 Modernism Road Rally Tour

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Hunter

At Optima®, we are always excited to share unique architectural experiences that reflect our passion for design. So mark your calendars, Modern enthusiasts, we have some fantastic news for you! The second biennial Modernism Road Rally Tour of Homes is returning to celebrate the Mid Century Modern architectural legacy of Chicagoland. Launched in 2021, this biennial event takes place in different community areas of Chicagoland. This year’s edition will lead you through the captivating south suburban enclaves of Flossmoor and Olympia Fields.

The 2023 Modernism Road Rally Tour showcases homes designed by renowned midcentury architects such as Keck & Keck, Edward Dart, and Bertrand Goldberg, as well as architects like Edward Humrich, John McPherson, and John S. Townsend. Participants will have the opportunity to admire the exteriors and enjoy limited interior tours of select homes, offering an intimate glimpse into these architectural gems.

The event organizers have partnered with the Foundation for the Preservation of Flossmoor History for this year’s edition. A percentage of the proceeds will contribute to the restoration of the historic Wagner Building, which is scheduled to open in time for Flossmoor’s Centennial in 2024.

Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl, situated in the charming 1920s-era downtown Flossmoor, will serve as the event headquarters. After exploring the architectural marvels, participants can join the post-event party at the Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery, a former railroad stop transformed into a lively social hub.

Flossmoor, founded in 1924, experienced a construction slowdown during World War II, followed by rapid postwar development. Its neighboring community, Olympia Fields, started in 1913, primarily as golf cottages surrounding the famous Olympia Fields Country Club. Post-World War II, the legendary modernist subdivisions of Graymoor and Country Club Woods were developed, boasting numerous outstanding examples of Mid Century Modern architecture.

Participants can purchase tickets for the tour, post-tour party, and sculpture tour online. The event also offers a trolley shuttle service along the entire tour route on Saturday, included in the ticket price (reservation required at the time of ticket purchase). Event check-in will be available at Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl for all paid attendees on Friday, June 23, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, June 23, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The second biennial Modernism Road Rally Tour is an exciting opportunity for architecture enthusiasts to delve into the fascinating world of Mid Century Modern design in Chicagoland. At Optima®, we are delighted to share this event with you and hope you enjoy exploring the rich architectural heritage of Flossmoor and Olympia Fields. Don’t miss out on this unique experience, and be sure to reserve your tickets here in advance!

Please note that there will be no walk-up ticket sales available.

Edward Dart: A Bullseye Through The Heart of Architecture

Posted on May 3, 2023March 12, 2024 by Hunter

At Optima®, we revel in highlighting the remarkable work of Modernist architects who have significantly influenced our urban environments. Today, we direct our focus to Edward Dart, an architect whose distinctive vision and commitment to modern design have left an enduring imprint on the architectural landscape of Chicago.

The Life of Edward Dart

Edward Dart was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1922. He received his architectural education at the prestigious Yale School of Architecture, studying with luminaries including Richard Neutra, Louis Kahn, and Eero Saarinen. Dart moved to Chicago in 1949, where he joined the firm of Loebl, Schlossman & Bennett. Dart’s immense talent was quickly acknowledged, and he became a partner in the firm in 1959. His unique architectural approach merged the principles of Modernism with an attentiveness to the natural environment, resulting in the creation of striking structures that harmoniously blended with their surroundings.

Throughout his career, Dart concentrated on designing buildings that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing, seamlessly integrating them into the natural landscape. His residential designs frequently featured expansive windows, open floor plans, and the use of natural materials such as stone and wood. This design philosophy allowed Dart’s structures to be both visually stunning and environmentally sensitive.

St. Procopius Abbey (1967) in Lisle, IL., Photo: Jason Haskins, Flickr Creative Commons

Notable Works and Achievements

Dart died suddenly at the age of 53 in 1975. Over his short career he was enormously productive and prolific, having completed over 100 projects. He was listed in Who’s Who in America, and won 18 awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including two (a Distinguished Building Award in 1971 and a National Honor Award in 1973). He was made a Fellow of the AIA, the highest honors that the organization can bestow, at the age of 44.

Some of his most significant works include: St. Procopius Abbey (1967) in Lisle, IL, a striking Modernist structure featuring an elegant combination of exposed concrete and brick, reflecting Dart’s penchant for using natural materials in his designs. Another notable work is the St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church (1958) in Gary, IN. With its soaring, angular roofline and floor-to-ceiling windows, the church is a prime example of Dart’s ability to create awe-inspiring spaces that remain harmonious with their environment. Each of these buildings reflects his unique interpretation of Modernism and his singular ability to create spaces that resonate with their surroundings.

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Gary, IN. Photo: National Register of Historic Places

Beyond Dart’s expertise in churches, Dart designed the “House of the Fifties” for Good Housekeeping Magazine, a model house for Popular Mechanics, and won the National Association of Homebuilders competition in 1951. One of his largest projects, Water Tower Place in Chicago, was completed after his death, and went on to become one of Chicago’s landmark buildings and one of the most-loved and most successful mixed-use retail, business, and residential centers in America.

George Frederick Keck: How A Modernist Master Shaped the Chicago Skyline

Posted on April 26, 2023March 12, 2024 by Hunter

Chicago has long been a hotbed for Modernist architecture, with the likes of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Walter Gropius all calling the city home at various points in their careers. At Optima®, we are always delighted to showcase the groundbreaking work of Modernist architects who have left an indelible mark on our urban landscape. Today, we are opening the aperture to focus on George Fred Keck, an architect whose innovative designs and pioneering spirit greatly influenced the development of modern architecture in Chicago and beyond.

Born in 1895 in Watertown, Wisconsin, George Fred Keck was destined to become a trailblazer in the world of Modernist architecture. After studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Keck established his own firm with his brother William in 1926 — Keck & Keck. The siblings’ shared passion for Modernism and sustainability led them to create designs that were both environmentally-conscious and ahead of their time.

Keck-Gottschalk-Keck Apartments. Photo: Ryerson & Burnham Archives Archival Image Collection

Keck’s most famous work is undoubtedly the House of Tomorrow, a groundbreaking design he created for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, also known as the Century of Progress Exposition. The house showcased innovative ideas such as floor-to-ceiling glass walls, central air conditioning, and even an attached garage with an electric door opener. These cutting-edge features not only made the House of Tomorrow a sensation at the fair, but also laid the groundwork for the modern home as we know it today.

With Keck’s commitment to sustainable design came a fascination with solar energy. In the early 1940s, he and his brother William designed the first solar-powered house in the United States. Known as the Keck-Gottschalk-Keck Apartments and located at 5551 South University Avenue in Hyde Park, this remarkable dwelling relied on south-facing windows and a solar heating system to maximize the capture and use of solar energy. This early foray into sustainable design would pave the way for future architects to embrace environmentally conscious practices.

House of Tomorrow. Photo: Chicago History Museum, Hedrich Blessing Collection

As we celebrate the life and work of George Fred Keck, we at Optima® are once again reminded of the transformative power of Modernist architecture. Keck’s innovative designs, environmental consciousness, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of architectural form have left an unforgettable mark on the city of Chicago and on the world of architecture.

In the Shadows of Giants: The Overlooked Genius of Harry Weese

Posted on April 17, 2023March 12, 2024 by Hunter

When we talk about the architectural giants of the Modern era, names like Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe come to mind. These masters of design have left an indelible mark on our cities and towns, and their legacies continue to inspire and influence generations of architects. But what about those talented visionaries who have been overshadowed, whose work is often overlooked in the annals of architectural history? Today we’ll take a look at one such figure, Harry Weese, a brilliant architect who made a significant impact on the world of design, yet never quite garnered the same level of recognition as his contemporaries.

Harry Weese was born in 1915 in Evanston, Illinois. Even from a young age, he displayed a keen interest in architecture. His passion led him to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and later at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he formed lifelong friendships with renowned architects; Eero Saarinen, and Charles and Ray Eames. Despite this impressive educational background, Weese struggled to find his footing in the competitive world of architecture, but that didn’t stop him from garnering attention.

Seventeenth_Church_of_Christ_Scientist_Chicago_2019-1498 — Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist, Chicago. Photo: Paul R. Burley, CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

His career began to gain momentum in the 1950s, as he designed several noteworthy buildings in Chicago. One of the earliest examples of his work, the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, showcased his ability to blend functionality with aesthetics, while respecting the religious context of the building.

As the years passed, Weese gradually earned the respect of his peers and clients. He designed everything from public buildings and universities to private residences, each project showcasing his unique approach to architecture. His firm completed over 200 new buildings and renovations that span mostly across the midwest, but his commissions also took him across the globe to Ghana, India, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.

One of Weese’s most enchanting designs can be found in the idyllic town of Wilmette. Known as The Robert and Suzanne Drucker House, this private residence epitomizes Weese’s ability to harmoniously blend nature and architecture. The home features an open-plan layout, with large windows that invite the outdoors in, creating a seamless connection between the interior and exterior spaces. The Drucker House is a testament to Weese ‘s skill in crafting spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, while respecting the environment and the needs of its occupants.

Chicago River Cottages designed by Harry Weese. Credit: Jonathan Byrne CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

Beyond residential architecture, Weese made significant contributions to the field of urban planning and revitalization. He was deeply concerned about the decline of American cities and the loss of their architectural heritage. In the 1960s and 1970s, he embarked on several ambitious projects to preserve and reinvigorate urban spaces. One of his most notable accomplishments was the restoration of the Chicago Riverfront, transforming a previously neglected area into a vibrant, bustling hub of activity.

Washington, D.C. Metro System. Photo: Sara Cottle/Unsplash

Weese’s vision extended far beyond Chicago, as he also worked on the design of the Washington, D.C. Metro system. His innovative approach to public transportation and his commitment to creating aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly stations helped to shape the face of the nation’s capital and earned him widespread acclaim.

For those who have the privilege of experiencing Harry Weese’s work firsthand, the impact of his designs is undeniable. His creations have left a lasting mark on the communities they inhabit, and at Optima®, we’re proud to be a part of a shared sensibility and set of architectural traditions.

Wilmette Landmarks: Robert and Suzanne Drucker House

Posted on March 27, 2023 by Hunter

As part of our Wilmette Landmark series, today we’ll cover a home steeped in an architect’s very own familial bonds. A home that has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013 — The Robert and Suzanne Drucker House. Designed by one of Chicago’s iconic Modernist architects, Harry Weese.

An Overlooked Modernist

His practice was inexhaustibly creative. Rooted in the Modernist and Brutalist architectural styles which laid the groundwork for efficient and functional living spaces. His most famous work, the Washington Metro system, not only showcases Weese’s unique design approach but also illustrates how he prioritized the user experience with his coffered concrete vaults and meticulous attention to detail. Weese never shied away from innovation, all the while quietly detaching himself from the architectural dominance of Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Drucker House

Quietly closed off from view, the front of the Drucker home is a wonderful expression of Weese’s personal brand of Modernism — a synthesis of International Style, Scandinavian, and Midwestern influences. The home’s geometry is obscured by slatted screens and maturing cedar trees. The house is L-shaped. Consisting of two wings running parallel to the street and the other angled in a way that allows for sunlight. This L-shaped arrangement also allows for an expansive view of the front yard.

The back of the home, on the other hand, embraces its deep rectangular lot and thoughtfully placed windows. Along with a screened porch resembling film reel that takes advantage of natural light to cast the home’s image. The indoor and outdoor living space almost seem to be brought together through this effect, all while maintaining complete privacy.

Side view of Robert and Suzanne Drucker House. Photo: Susan Benjamin

Weese built the Drucker house for his sister Suzanne and her family. It largely reflects Weese’s experimental approach to Modern design, and is informed by geometry rather than ornamentation. Furthermore, the house exhibits a remarkable focus on flexibility instead of adhering to a traditional layout that — when combined with how the Drucker family lived — created a universally functional residence that could accommodate the family’s lifestyle.

In its interior, the home is compartmentalized into zones delineated by screens and bookspaces. Each room flows effortlessly from one to another, the kitchen in particular being planned with convenience and ample storage in mind. In 1963, as the Drucker family began to grow, a second floor was added to provide more space.

As Optima® continues to embrace all that Wilmette has to offer, taking the time to highlight unconventional pioneers who blurred the boundaries of style and functionality is always a pleasure. We encourage you to take a slow drive to see this magnificent home and all that it has to offer on 2801 Iroquois Rd in Wilmette, IL.

Women in Architecture: Georgia Louise Harris Brown

Posted on March 13, 2023March 12, 2024 by Hunter

As a part of our ongoing “Women in Architecture” series, we’re spotlighting Georgia Louise Harris Brown, a visionary who was able to apply her extraordinary talents across the world. Although she rarely received credit for her outstanding contributions, Brown’s passion for building never diminished. Learn more about her impressive life and career below:

The Life of Georgia Louise Harris Brown

Georgia Louise Harris Brown was born on June 12, 1918, in Topeka, Kansas, to Carl Collins, a shipping clerk, and Georgia Watkins, a school teacher. As a child, her interests revolved around the arts and tinkering with cars and farm equipment with her brother. Brown distinguished herself from school as an exceptionally bright student, which led her to Washburn University, where she studied from 1936 until 1938.

After graduating, Brown traveled to Chicago to visit family but instead fell in love with the metropolitan atmosphere and presence of a strong Black community. Originally planning to stay for the summer, she enrolled in a course at the Armour Institute of Technology – now the Illinois Institute of Technology – taught by Mies van der Rohe and began taking flying lessons, which would become a lifelong passion.

However, her plans changed when she enrolled in the school’s engineering and architecture program in the fall of 1938. Brown continued her studies in architecture but moved back to Kansas in 1942. She completed her degrees at the University of Kansas in 1944 and was the first Black woman to do so at the school.

Notable Works and Achievements

Brown returned to Chicago in 1945, where she found a job working for Kenneth Roderick O’Neal, a confidant of Mies and a leading architect at the time. In Chicago, she acquainted herself with other aspiring Black architects, including Beverly Lorraine Green and John Moutoussamy. In 1949, while working for O’Neal, Brown finally received her architecture license, and in the same year, she began working for Frank J. Kornacker Associates, Inc.

At Kornacker Associates, Brown developed many structural calculations, including those for the apartment building at 860 Lake Shore Drive. During her time there, she also worked on many side projects for Woodrow B Dolphin, including various churches, houses and office buildings around Chicago. Although, after realizing that her race and gender would hold her back from many opportunities in America, she became interested in moving to Brazil, where she believed she would be held back less.

In 1953, Brown relocated to Brazil but didn’t receive an architecture license for the country until 1970. However, shortly after arriving, she found work with Charles Bosworth, another American who had moved to Brazil to open his own firm. While living in Brazil, Brown contributed designs and managed the completion of several significant builds. Along with various personal homes, many of her projects included large-scale plants and factories, including one for Ford Motors, Pfizer and Kodak.

Kodak Factory, São José, Brazil, 1971, Georgia Louise Harris Brown, Courtesy of University of Rochester Library

While Brown’s contributions to architectural design have often been unrecognized, her expansive knowledge of structural engineering and design always drove her to the leading firm of the time. And while she contended with feeling like an “other” wherever she went, she never held back from challenging the status quo and pursuing her lifelong passion for architecture.

The Oak Circle Historic District

Posted on March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 by Hunter

How A 156 Year-Old Chicago Suburb Withstood The Test of Time

Nestled in a corner of Wilmette, IL the 156-year old suburb north of Chicago and located on the Lake Michigan shore, stands the Oak Circle Historic District. It is a small grouping of 15 early twentieth-century houses. Each built primarily in the Craftsmen style with magnificent detailing from the Prairie School of Architecture, both which were born from the Arts and Crafts movement.

Amazingly, the original integrity of 14 of the houses have survived the onslaught of time, enabling them to join the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Walking through the peace and tranquility of the Oak Circle Historic District leaves one bewildered of how graceful the path is. The curvature of the street adds considerable charm and status to Wilmette’s signature brick-paved streets. Venturing deeper, the houses reveal themselves — similar in style while each remains wonderfully and amazingly varied. The Prairie style motifs unabashedly present themselves from one home to the next — horizontal planes, leaded glass windows, the use of brick and wood — all coexisting in aesthetic harmony.

Red vitrified brick. Photo: Historic Pavements

Twelve of the houses on Oak Circle are bungalows, the house type most closely associated with the Arts and Crafts Movement in America. The bungalows, along with the other homes on the block, showcase a variety of features found in Craftsman architecture, as well as the distinctive bands of windows with geometric patterns of small-pane glazing associated with the Prairie style.

The 12 bungalows also exhibit a variety of floor plans. Some are one-story, some one-and-a-half, but no two are exactly alike. True to the Arts and Crafts ideal of being close to nature, the bungalows share a distinctive horizontal emphasis in tandem with the midwestern landscape.

Oak Circle is a treasure trove of sights waiting to be explored. Just only blocks away from the Wilmette public library and a 7-minute walk from Optima Verdana®, it’s a delightful architectural and historical landmark with boundless charm that reminds both residents and visitors why Wilmette remains a vibrant, delightful community!

Landscape + Light: David Wallace Haskins at the Edith Farnsworth House

Posted on February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 by Hunter

For the architectural icon Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, his impact continues to resonate throughout the worlds of design, architecture, and art. For our spotlight series, we’re happy to introduce the most recent exhibition of Chicago conceptual artist David Wallace Haskins, Landscape + Light, at the Edith Farnsworth House, which engages in a fantastic dialogue with one of van der Rohe’s most legendary homes.

The Edith Farnsworth House, formerly the Farnsworth House, is an historical house designed and constructed by van der Rohe between 1945 and 1951. The house was constructed as a one-room weekend retreat in Plano, Illinois. A rural community 60 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, and was opened to the public in 2004 as a National Historic Landmark.

Over the past decade, Haskins has had the opportunity to create experiential sculptures and architectural interventions in response to various works by van der Rohe. Haskins is one of the few midwestern artists working in the tradition of the Light & Space movement and considers Mies to be one of its earliest pioneers as he was creating minimalist works of light and space thirty years before the movement took hold in southern California in the 1960s.

As part of the solo exhibition for his 2022 artist-in-residence — Landscape + Light is composed of three installations across the Farnsworth wooded property including The Memory of Glass, Image Continuous, and Stone Landing.

Edith Farnsworth House — Memory of Glass, Photo: courtesy of David Wallace Haskins

Memory of Glass examines the recent scientific discovery that certain types of glass retain memories in a form resembling neurons. It envisions Farnsworth House as hearing and remembering an ambient soundscape that has washed over it for the last 70 years. Haskins engineered a way for these sonic memories to emanate from the house. The structure’s 12 large glass panels to reverberate as floor-to-ceiling glass speakers. Sound is both sent inward and outward, further blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors. “Dissolving the boundary between the interior and exterior world” Haskins notes.

Landscape + Light is also the world premiere of the site-specific sculpture, Image Continuous from Haskins’ Skycube series — fabricated from a ton of skyscraper glass, which is actually half of the glass van der Rohe used to glaze Edith’s home. This visually perplexing sculpture turns the sky inside-out. Thus engaging the spectator as a participant as their position in space shifts.

Concerning its sculptural presence, Haskins explains: “We tend to ignore the sky as it enwraps and illuminates the landscape, but with Image Continuous, the dynamic is reversed — the landscape enwraps the sky, giving it presence and form. We forget the sky, or troposphere, starts at the ground and rises 10 miles high. Here, we see ourselves in the landscape in relationship with the sky. Whilst allowing us to behold its presence in a truly personal and embodied way.”

The final installation of Landscape + Light consists of a large meditative monolith from Haskins’ Stone Koan series, made from the original Italian travertine that van der Rohe used to cover the stairs and terrace of Farnsworth House from 1951-2021. Due to severe weathering, these stones were replaced in 2021, allowing Haskins to utilize them to create a number of Stone Koans and a smaller Skycube.

With our heads and hearts firmly rooted in the Modernist tradition. It’s a joy for the Optima team to see how the legacy of Mies van der Rohe continues to inspire contemporary artists. And if you’re a lover of all things Modernist, you won’t want to miss this extraordinary experience.

Landscape + Light continues through May 2023. Visit the Edith Farnsworth House website to learn more about visits and tours.

Optima + Sustainability Series: EV Parking

Posted on February 8, 2023March 12, 2024 by Hunter

The evidence that electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining traction is on the roads everywhere. From personal vehicles to rideshares and public transport, we are, as a nation, beginning to embrace the importance of reducing carbon emissions by replacing the fossil fuels that traditional gasoline-powered engines use with forms of clean energy.

Encouraged by the funding made available to help states fund public charging infrastructure, and Illinois’ ambitious goal to get one million electric vehicles (EVs) on the road by 2023, EVs are becoming increasingly desirable. And those who own and manage residential buildings are faced with the challenge to provide ample access to EV battery charging stations that residents need.

At Optima, we have always been sustainability-focused across our entire integrated business model — from design to building materials to landscaping – and EV parking. We began providing EV parking spaces in 2016 and 2017 at 7160 Optima Kierland and Optima Signature with 8 EV parking spaces, which represented only a small portion of the overall spaces in the garage.

Now in April 2023, Optima Verdana in Wilmette will open with 24% of the total spaces dedicated to EVs. In all of our communities — in both Illinois and Arizona — we have continued to increase EV capacity every year based upon resident demand, with the capacity to reach a full 100% at many projects. In recognition for our commitment to EV parking, Optima Sonoran Village won the Salt River Project Champions of Sustainability Award in the Building Communities for Electric Vehicles category.

In a recent Bisnow article that explores how future-facing multifamily developers are preparing for the future of electric vehicles, David Hovey Jr., AIA, Optima president and chief operating officer, observes, “Just from a sustainability perspective, obviously, demand is getting higher from both people wanting to be more sustainable … and cities wanting to be more sustainable, as well as just overall demand.”

Sustainability remains one of our most precious values at Optima. And we’re proud to be part of a growing community of property owners and managers that seeks to support sustainable practices on behalf of our residents.

Growing Your Own Herbs at Optima Verdana®

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Hunter

The stellar Rooftop Sky Deck and communal courtyard at Optima Verdana® abound with gorgeous greenspace and reflective hardscape surfaces to reduce heat. Our residents can delight in the outdoors year-round for both recreation and relaxation. And for those with green thumbs, dedicated planters atop the Sky Deck will be home to a seasonal herb garden.

Check your kitchen cabinets, your cupboards, your drawers! If you spend any time cooking, you probably have dried thyme, basil, and even a bit of parsley or oregano. These earthly delights known as herbs are easily accessible from most grocery stores, but imagine what it would be like if you grew them yourself?

In spite of their simplicity, herb gardens are magical places and offer many gifts — from cooking, to medicine, to unique fragrances. Growing your own herbs also serves as an exercise in gratification, and so much more:

Great for All Skill Levels

First, herb gardens are great for beginner gardeners because they require minimal effort and are easier to grow than vegetables. They don’t require large plots of land, and grow well in pots, planters and other containers. Herbs don’t need much fertilizing, which is a huge plus for beginners, and they can handle a wide range of temperatures that’s ideal for Chicago’s seasons.

Redefining the Word “Fresh”

When your recipes call for fresh herbs, what could be more delightful — and satisfying — than heading to your herb garden with a pair of kitchen shears and picking or cutting what you need? And because you can harvest your herbs while you’re cooking, they will always be fresh and fragrant.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Knowing that you have easy access to what you’re growing, you may find yourself with an appetite for expanding your repertoire with dishes that specifically call for fresh herbs. This is a real treat, since the flavors are so much more robust and the option to have full leaves, stems and flowers in your preparations is a real bonus.

The herb garden also offers the opportunity to experiment with new flavor combinations. Take advantage of your herbs and try out a new recipe or two. Try growing herbs that are uncharted territory for you, this will likely lead to taking new risks in your cooking. Which in turn will enrich your life with new and flavorful experiences.

As you head into the fall and winter months, you can harvest your herbs and dry them indoors. This will tide you over until spring arrives and it’s time to plant again.

Creating A Healthy, Budding Community

The herb garden at Optima Verdana® is part of the powerful community experience of connecting with others around a shared purpose. All it takes is one seed to sow a relationship and build a budding new friendship with a neighbor. This convenience of access offers residents physical exercise, fresh air and the meditative qualities of connecting to the earth.

If you’re looking for ideas for dishes that will put your fresh herbs in the spotlight at your next dinner or event, The Food Network offers quite a few!

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Tag: chicago architecture