News

On March 26, Thomas Ahleman successfully completed the City of Chicago Building Department's Self-Certification course. For certain types of projects, Chicago can waive it's potentially lengthy permit reviews. This expedited process is only available to qualified, licensed architects who self-certify that the plans being submitted conform to the city's building code. This means that weeks or even months can be shaved from a project's schedule. Now we can do a bit more of the work so that the "City that Works" doesn't have to...and our clients can get their building permits a bit faster.

Robert Frost said good fences make good neighbors...but we think good wine works pretty well too. Last December our neighbors asked us to help them realize their dream of opening a wine shop. We worked with them on the design of the shop and helped them navigate the permit process. We even helped them find subcontractors to execute the work as quickly and professionally as possible. The Winnetka Wine Shop is now open for business and we couldn't be happier for them. You can visit them at 726 Elm in Winnetka and at http://winnetkawineshop.com/

In January, Studio Talo and the Talking Farm presented their proposed community center and site development plans to the Skokie Park District board of directors. The Talking Farm is seeking to make its permanent home on the north shore at a three-acre site in Skokie currently owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The forward-thinking directors were impressed with the Talking Farm's vision of sustainable, local agriculture and with the proposed 5,000 square foot learning and growing facility.

On December 4th, the Royal Thai Consulate General in Chicago re-opened its doors in time to celebrate the 83rd birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The event was attended by many prominent Chicagoans and featured live jazz music (his Majesty has jammed with likes of Ornette Coleman), ridiculously delicious food and the recently renovated lobby and assembly hall designed by Studio Talo.

Studio Talo's work for the Talking Farm was published in the Summer 2009 issue of edible CHICAGO. The article "The Talking Farm: A Community Voice Takes Root" highlights the Talking Farm's efforts to create a sustainable, local source for food and job training. We are also working with the Talking Farm on a satellite project called the Edible Acre. The Edible Acre is a collaboration of Evanston Township High School and the Talking Farm and will provide students with hands on experience with sustainable agriculture...and will supply the school's cafeteria with organic produce.

In March, Thomas Ahleman and Doug Snider passed their examinations with flying colors, mostly green, to become LEED Accredited Professionals. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the United States Green Building Council's green building rating system. And while LEED certification may not be for every client or project, the knowledge about sustainability required for LEED accrediation means we are able to help clients set performance goals for their projects and attain them.

In February, Studio Talo began working for the government of Thailand on the renovation of the Royal Thai Consulate-General of Chicago. Stay tuned for construction photos of the project under construction...

This year Evanston and Lincolnshire shared the Irwin A. Bock Award for Excellence in Public Administration - Community Environmental Stewardship Award. The award recognizes municipalities that best demonstrate activities and implement policies which minimize environmental impact. Among Evanston's efforts applauded by the conference was the Talking Farm's roll in education and improving access to locally grown, organic food. We are proud to be partners with the Talking Farm and to be working with them on the design of their new facility.

Studio Talo joins leading architecture firms that employ Building Information Modeling software to design and document projects. While most firms still use software to draw in two dimensions just as architects have done for centuries, BIM changes the game. We create a 3D digital models from the beginning and harness the power of the computer to do what it's really good at…remembering stuff! Solutions are communicated to clients more clearly, decisions are made more efficiently and contractors get better coordinated information.