Some projects stay with you because of the transformation. Others stay with you because of the collaboration required to get them right. The residence at 2028 Valley Lo Lane in Glenview, Illinois represents both.

Our conversations with the homeowners began in 2023, long before construction started. They were planning to replace an aging lakefront home with a modern custom residence that would better reflect the way they live and entertain. Rather than waiting until the house was complete to think about the landscape and outdoor living spaces, the homeowners assembled the design team early. Working alongside architect Paul Christianson, interior designer Sarah Jacquelyn Schwuchow, the builder, and the homeowners themselves, we spent countless hours discussing architecture, views, circulation, materials, and how every element of the property would work together.

Construction officially began in 2025, but many of the most important decisions had already been made. One of the biggest challenges involved updated township lot coverage regulations. Once the footprint of the new home was established, very little impervious area remained for driveways, walkways, and outdoor circulation. Traditional solutions would have significantly limited how the property functioned. Instead, we developed a large-format architectural concrete driveway system inspired by projects we have designed in California. The spacing between the concrete panels allowed us to maximize usable space while maintaining compliance with local requirements, ultimately creating a defining feature of the property’s modern design.

The landscape architecture was intentionally restrained and designed to complement the home’s clean contemporary lines. Linear planting arrangements, ornamental grasses, specimen trees, and carefully selected materials soften the architecture without competing with it. A custom address feature anchors the front entry experience while reinforcing the modern character of the residence.

The rear of the property was designed around the lake lifestyle. Unlike many homes where outdoor spaces become an afterthought, every entertaining area was planned as part of the architecture from the beginning. Expansive deck spaces, glass railings, multiple gathering zones, and a future outdoor kitchen create a seamless connection between the home and the water. While portions of the project are still being completed, including the outdoor kitchen and furnishings, the vision is already evident. The property has transformed from a traditional lake house into a modern waterfront estate designed for entertaining, relaxation, and family gatherings for decades to come.

What makes this project special is not the driveway, the deck, or even the architecture itself. It is the collaboration between the homeowner, architect, interior designer, builder, and outdoor living designer from the earliest stages of planning. The result is a property where every element feels intentional because every element was considered together.

This project serves as a reminder that the best outdoor living spaces are not added after the house is complete. They are designed as part of the home from the very beginning.