Business Details
31 Years
experience
Award-Winning Modern Architecture & Interior Design in Chicago
Robbins Architecture was founded on the belief that modern design should harmonize with nature and reflect the unique lifestyles of those who inhabit it. Our approach combines timeless design principles with purposeful attention to detail, creating spaces that balance proportion, light, and movement. With over 25 years of experience, we specialize in crafting modern homes that form a seamless connection to their surroundings, whether nestled in mountains, overlooking oceans, or integrated into urban landscapes. Our team of architects and interior designers brings decades of expertise in residential design, sustainability, and innovative spatial solutions. We prioritize collaboration, ensuring each project evolves through thoughtful dialogue with clients to achieve personalized, livable art.Recognized by Architectural Digest and AIA awards, our work emphasizes materiality, natural integration, and functional elegance. We guide projects from concept to completion, maintaining rigorous standards for craftsmanship and client satisfaction. Our philosophy centers on editing design until it achieves serenity and meaning, ensuring every home tells a story of its occupants and environment. Through publications like 'The Meaningful Modern Home,' we share our commitment to advancing modernist principles while maintaining warmth and accessibility. Our teams diverse backgroundsfrom Cornell and Illinois Tech to global design experiencesenrich our ability to deliver tailored solutions that honor both client vision and site context.
Services
Modern Architecture
Interior Design
Sustainable Design
Custom Homes
Residential Renovations
Site Integration
3D Modeling Services
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- We specialize in modern homes that harmonize with natural surroundings through intentional design.
- Our team includes AIA-certified architects with decades of residential design expertise.
- Recognized by Architectural Digest and AIA awards for innovative, client-centric solutions.
- We maintain rigorous sustainability standards while prioritizing livability and aesthetic balance.
- Founder Celeste Robbins authored 'The Meaningful Modern Home,' showcasing our design philosophy.
Services
Modern Architecture
We create modern homes rooted in timeless principles of proportion, balance, and natural integration. Our designs emphasize fluid movement between spaces and strategic use of light to craft functional, serene environments. Each project prioritizes site-specific solutions that enhance the relationship between architecture and its surroundings.
Interior Design
Our interior design services focus on creating cohesive, livable spaces that reflect client personalities. We specialize in material selection, lighting strategies, and spatial layouts that enhance both aesthetics and daily functionality while maintaining modernist integrity.
Sustainable Design
We incorporate sustainable practices through energy-efficient systems, locally sourced materials, and designs that minimize environmental impact. Our approach ensures homes perform optimally while maintaining visual harmony with natural landscapes.
Custom Homes
From mountain retreats to urban lofts, we design fully customized homes tailored to client needs and site conditions. Our process involves detailed collaboration to ensure every element reflects the occupants' lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
Project Management
We guide projects from concept to completion, coordinating with contractors and consultants to maintain design integrity. Our management ensures adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards throughout the building process.
People
Celeste Robbins
Founder and Principal
Celeste founded Robbins Architecture in 1995 after working at prominent firms like Perkins & Will. She holds a Cornell degree and has received AIA awards. Author of 'The Meaningful Modern Home,' she specializes in blending modernism with natural elements.
Anu Srinivasan
Senior Project Architect
With 16+ years at Robbins, Anu leads projects from concept to completion. She earned her M.Arch at IIT and previously worked on residential high-rises. Known for client collaboration and technical precision in complex builds.
Nick Gutowski
Interior Design Director
Nick combines interior design expertise with a background in art production. He shapes spaces that balance client lifestyles with natural inspiration, drawing from experience at New York's Let There Be Neon and Midwest landscapes.
Samad Vahora
Architectural Designer
Samad integrates technology into design workflows, enhancing 3D modeling and constructability analysis. He holds degrees from Illinois Tech and India's Indubhai Parekh School, blending traditional and contemporary design approaches.
Kylie Alt
Interior Designer
Kylie focuses on light-space relationships and residential design. A TCU graduate, she studied Renaissance art in Florence and interned at Kara Mann. Her work emphasizes personal style integration and functional aesthetics.
Questions
What architectural styles does Robbins Architecture specialize in?
We focus on modernist principles emphasizing proportion, natural integration, and functional elegance. Our work adapts these concepts to create warm, livable spaces rather than rigidly adhering to severe aesthetics.
How does the design process work?
We begin with client consultations to understand lifestyle needs and site characteristics. This informs schematic designs, which evolve through collaboration before moving to construction documentation and project oversight.
Do you work on projects outside the Midwest?
While based in Chicago's North Shore, we've completed projects nationwide—from mountain retreats to coastal residences—always prioritizing site-specific design solutions.
What sustainability practices do you incorporate?
We use energy-efficient systems, locally sourced materials, and passive solar design strategies. Our buildings optimize natural light and ventilation while minimizing environmental impact through thoughtful site integration.
Can you handle both new construction and renovations?
Yes, we specialize in custom homes and also modernize existing structures. Our approach preserves architectural integrity while updating functionality to meet contemporary living standards.
