Ann Clark Architects

Ann brought astute technical expertise and sympathetic good taste to two very specific design challenges. Notwithstanding a makeover by AIA Fellow Wallis Howe in 1915, our National Historic Register house on the cusp of College Hill and Fox Point lacked both a shower in the master bathroom and a full bathroom accessible to its finest guestroom. What it did have was an extra room adjacent to the master bath (and across the hall from the guestroom). This historically had functioned as a nursery and then a dressing room, with floor-to-ceiling double mirrors and closet space. Ann proposed that we refresh the master bath, retaining the vintage 1915 bathtub, while converting the adjacent spare room to an additional full bath accessible both to us and the guestroom, that could also continue to function as a dressing room. She showed us how a toilet could fit in the closet space with a glass-cube shower being built out in the dressing room space, retaining one of the mirrors, and allowing privacy both for us and our guests, by permitting us or them to lock the door connecting the master bath to the new bathroom. We had some notions about fixtures and paint colors that Ann's consultations refined and in a few instances gently corrected. She was also able to source us materials at a discount and helped us hire subcontractors who were altogether scrupulous, meticulous and timely in their work. The resulting two-room project is sensational: contemporary in appearance and highly luxurious in its finishes (akin to a high-end spa), yet complementary to and not effacing of the house's historic (late Federal and Colonial Revival) character. Ann worked with us to come up with an inspired solution to the only deficits that remained arising from our house's antiquity. Her design has enhanced and indeed perfected a house built for gracious living. Our happiness with the results has even inspired us to invite a full house of guests for Christmas, the first time in the four years of our tenancy that we will have every guestroom full.

Ann designed a two story addition for our 110 year old farm house. We met Ann for the first time at the beginning of this process and she very quickly proved to us that she was creative, knowledgeable, practical and "got" both us and our aesthetic. There was lots of back and forth with Ann during the design process as ideas evolved and we changed our mind about certain elements of the design. Communication with Ann via phone and email was always prompt and productive. She was an absolute pleasure to work with during the entire several month process. She has continued to be a valued and responsive team member during the construction process as questions have come up with the contractor. Ann guided us through the necessary municipal approval processes with great skill. It was clear that her excellent reputation with the village helped move our project along at several key points. In sum, I cannot recommend Ann highly enough!! Her professional and personal skills resulted in an addition to our home that will serve our family well for many years to come.

Ann Clark recently completed a major renovation of an historically-significant private residence in Providence, Rhode Island. I had the privilege of observing the process from beginning to end. As the chief designer and project manager, she managed to update the mechanicals, kitchen and bathrooms while maintaining the architectural integrity and period detail of the home. It was a complicated project due to the age and prominence of the property, and its difficult urban location. The renovated rooms blend seamlessly with the rest of the house. Those of us who were familiar with the home prior to its renovation are impressed (and relieved) by the artful restoration and 'freshening up' of this signature Providence property.

Ann was fantastic! She took control of every aspect of the project, and I never had to worry about a thing. This was a complicated project, since it was an historic renovation of a 200 year old house. Ann was able to modernize the house and, at the same time, save the important historic elements. She is reliable, talented, and affordable. She was able to help with architecture, furnishings, and interior decorating.This is my third house renovation, and she exceeded my expectations in every way.

Eighteen years ago when my husband and I set out to by out first house we knew nothing! Ann was a friend from my husbands college days. We asked her for some advise when we began our search, little did the three of us know that we'd be forging a personal and professional relationship that would last a life time. My husband and I knew nothing about flow of a home let alone decorating. I thought a plaid couch would look good in any home. Ann taught Dave and I the importance of function and quality! We've replaced windows and doors, redid bathrooms, added a sun porch, replaced our kitchen, added fireplaces, replaced siding, chosen many paint colors and picked out a ton of furniture and fabric (no plaid couch)! Much of the furniture in our home was designed by Ann and built by quality craftsmen that she works with. Ann has an incredible attention to detail and perfection, a trait I have come to appreciate. I always remind Ann that building a hospital in Haiti is important but turning a house into a home for a family is important also! Everyday I think of her, she is a constant presences in my home with every door handle I touch and every piece of furniture I use! She has made our house into a home were we are raising our children to grow up an make a difference in someone's life like she has!

When we decided to take a chance on a 1970s era hole-in-the-wall townhouse gut rehab – it had exactly TWO things going for it: ONE – it was the worst house in one of Chicago's best neighborhoods, the much coveted Old Town Triangle (just steps away from Twin Anchors, Second City and the Lincoln Park Zoo). And TWO – the new owners had the unbelievably good sense (luck) to hire Ann Clark Architects. Hiring the right architect comes in real handy once you decide to rip the facade completely off of your home. When that moment of shear panic kicks-in and you ask yourself, "what the heck am I doing?", – with Ann Clark you can rest easy that someone actually does know "what the heck they're doing". The project is done now – and wow! A complete top-to-bottom-inside-out restoration. Even if you squint, the before-and-after hardly reveals a glimpse of its former self. Ann, her design team, and our crack GC Dan Kravitz (Ann's recommendation), turned a cramped, dark and dated 1250 square foot shack into an unbelievably cool urban-modern hideaway; 1850 square feet of indoor/outdoor living space and impeccably tailored design. Professional, talented, attentive to detail and easy to work with – I'd hire Ann Clark Architects again before the paint had a chance to dry.

We were thrilled with Ann's work on our project and highly recommend Ann Clark Architects. We interviewed many architects and concluded Ann was the right fit for us and we were right. We had a pretty specific vision for what we wanted to do with our renovation, and Ann beautifully translated, and expanded upon, that vision. In addition to her outstanding architectural and design talent, Ann is a phenomenal person and very easy to get along with - we always looked forward to our meetings with her. She also has a great team in place and we found everyone very talented, helpful and personable. Hire Ann Clark Architects!

We recently moved to a new home and hired Ann Clark to help us with interior design. Ann's work for us was quite extensive -- she did everything from designing a new bar and entertainment area in our basement, to helping us select furniture, fabric and window treatments in the rest of the house. Ann was a pleasure to work with. She didn't try to create a space that fit her tastes. Rather, her design decisions reflected our taste -- only better! In addition, she was efficient, responsive and fun. Simply put, Ann did a terrific job and we couldn't be happier with the results.

Back in 2011, I interviewed five architects as I started the process of having my Edgewater home gut rehabbed along with a two story addition. They all were focused, insightful, and enthusiastic, but my gut told me that Ann Clark was my architect. As we walked through the house, the rapport we were developing was clear and tangible. I trusted her immediately, and she made me feel comfortable and at ease while establishing a sense of credibility that made me confident in her ability to execute. Early on in the process, it was clear that my gut did not fail me. From translating my vision into drawings, to managing the construction process, to screwing in the last light bulb, Ann Clark and her team delivered on promises and delivered work that exceeded my expectations. Ann brought a sense of balance to what can often be a stressful, contentious process. She worked extremely well with my contractor. So well, actually, that they have worked together several times since my project was completed. She held everyone on the job accountable for maintaining a standard of excellence. She was tough when she needed to be, yet always respectful. Throughout the entire process, Ann was thorough, fair, kind, careful, thoughtful and precise. She is highly organized; always staying on task with a clear understanding of the importance of maintaining a schedule. Ann has a keen eye for design and a great sense of style. Although she is focused and professional, she also appreciates that building a home should be about joy, and doesn't shy away from making the job site a fun place to be. Her explosive fits of laughter are infectious and make you forget you're on of the third mind numbing hour of picking out tile, cabinet hardware and bathroom and kitchen fixtures. I couldn't love the house Ann designed for me any more. Working with her was nothing short of an absolute delight, and I would recommend her without a moment of hesitation. -J Burrell

Ann is talented and focused. Sees the big picture especially as it relates to the environment and adaptive reuse. She's visionary regarding how her structures are utilized by their users as well as how it interacts with the environment. Socially responsible, creative and conscious of meeting client objectives, Ann is a very special partner.

Ann Clark Architects designed a country home for my family, an office for my business and a warehouse loft for me to live in. All three projects are stunning and unique. We and our all visitors are amazed by her concepts, her attention to detail and her ability to capture our vision/lifestyle in her designs. Ann followed the projects to ensure her designs met all building specifications. Thank you. It was a pleasure to work with you!

We have worked with Ann Clark Architects on two separate occasions, and both times to a terrific result. Our spaces are beautiful and functional, the process was collaborative and fun. Ann Clark listens, is thoughtful, creative, pragmatic, and produces good design. And her team rocks. In real terms, we have made a solid return on our investment. In less tangible ways too, our space simply feels good. We highly recommend Ann Clark Architects.