Stephens Architecture
Bespoke Architecture & Interiors
Artful Homes, Gardens & Communities
Bespoke Residential Design & Architecture for Artful Homes, Interiors and Residential Communities
Stephen Synakowski Architect PLLC dba Stephens Architecture | Introduction
This website represents the residential work of an experienced architectural practice aiming to develop new and relevant design directions for homes, condominiums and multifamily. Interior Design in relation to fine art is an especial interest.
The current range of residential designs acknowledges that a wide diversity of styles and meanings defines the idea of "home". All have merit for design exploration. both then and now.
Projects organixed as follows:
Formative is proposed as a term for a design approach which reimagines architectural basics in terms of relevant contemmporary sensibilities. These basics include: Architecture as Space, Surface and Fabrication understood together.
Bespoke includes both Traditional and Modern and not only has relevance to contemporary design, but also has relevance to historic traditional. Contemporary Bespoke is explored in such online design magazines such as: Dezeen (US) and Ignant (Europe). Blend between Traditional and Innovative. Bespoke encompasses most design currently.
Modern design originally presented about 100 years ago, functionalist based and spare in line and form. Architecture for the new era then. Modern as a style, both initially and at midcentury references manufactured domestic spinoffs of household objects including furniture and lighting. Architecture acknowledging economy and efficiency as reflected in spare visual and technical language.
The aim here is to invite exploration architectural basics, no matter the labeled theme, where select sensibilities suggest innovative residential design directions having potential relevance for the community overall.
September 2026
Steve Synakowski
Brookly, NY
.
Classic Condominiums
Period & PreWar Buildings & Penthouses
Roof Decks & Roof Gardens
Custom Kitchens & Baths
CLASSICAL
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Modern & Modernist Interiors
Custom Appointments
Pools, Decorative Murals
Custom Kitchens & Baths
MODERN
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Formative Design_Landscapes
Glass Window Walls & Interior Partitions
Art + Furnishings_Gardens
Lighting, Materials, Color
Formative
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Bespoke Homes & Additions
New Single Family,
Vertical & Lateral Additions
Penthouses, Greenhouses
Terraces, Decks, ADUs
BESPOKE
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Design Study. Formative Residence for Fine Art. 2015
Proposal. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing Midrise. Long Island City. 2021 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Midrise Multifamily. Repurpose. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multfamily. Panelized Prefab. Cold Formed Steel.Senior Residential Community. Chicago. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Lowrise Multifamily. Repurpose. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Luxury Condominium. Traditional Highrise. Chicago. Architecture & Interiors. Copyright VHT Studio
Residence. Lake Bluff Illinois. With Tudron Construction. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Design Study. Formative Townhome with Pool. Bronx, NY. 2014. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing Midrise. Long Island City. 2021 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Lowrise Multfamily. Panelized Prefab. Cold Formed Steel. Brooklyn, NY. Urban Townhomes. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Design Study for a West Coast Developer. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing. 2023 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Design Study for a West Coast Developer. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing. 2023 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Design Study for a West Coast Developer. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing. 2023 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Design Study. Residence Lake Forest IL Remodel. 2000. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Residence. Lake Forest, IL. Interior Remodel, Landscape Design, Flatwork. 2005. Copyright VHT Studio.
Design for Construction. Residence. Lake Forest IL, for Kendler Development. 1995. Copyright 1995 Stephen Synakowski.
Design for Construction. Residence Addition & Landscape Design. Riverwoods IL. 1995. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Urban Design. Landscape Design. Storebridge Community Village Lake Bluff, IL. Design Proposal 2022. Copyright 2022 Stephen Synakowski
Various Residential Landscapes. Chicago. 2000-2010. Photos copyright Stephen Synakowski
Bespoke Architecture & Interiors
Artful Homes, Gardens & Communities
Artful Homes, Gardens & Communities
Bespoke Residential Design & Architecture for Artful Homes, Interiors and Residential Communities
This website represents the residential work of an experienced architectural practice aiming to develop new and relevant design directions for homes, condominiums and multifamily. Interior Design in relation to fine art is an especial interest.
The current range of residential designs acknowledges that a wide diversity of styles and meanings defines the idea of "home". All have merit for design exploration. both then and now.
Projects organixed as follows:
Formative is proposed as a term for a design approach which reimagines architectural basics in terms of relevant contemmporary sensibilities. These basics include: Architecture as Space, Surface and Fabrication understood together.
Bespoke includes both Traditional and Modern and not only has relevance to contemporary design, but also has relevance to historic traditional. Contemporary Bespoke is explored in such online design magazines such as: Dezeen (US) and Ignant (Europe). Blend between Traditional and Innovative. Bespoke encompasses most design currently.
Modern design originally presented about 100 years ago, functionalist based and spare in line and form. Architecture for the new era then. Modern as a style, both initially and at midcentury references manufactured domestic spinoffs of household objects including furniture and lighting. Architecture acknowledging economy and efficiency as reflected in spare visual and technical language.
The aim here is to invite exploration architectural basics, no matter the labeled theme, where select sensibilities suggest innovative residential design directions having potential relevance for the community overall.
September 2026
Steve Synakowski
Brookly, NY
.
Classic Condominiums
Period & PreWar Buildings & Penthouses
Roof Decks & Roof Gardens
Custom Kitchens & Baths
CLASSICAL
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Modern & Modernist Interiors
Custom Appointments
Pools, Decorative Murals
Custom Kitchens & Baths
MODERN
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Formative Design_Landscapes
Glass Window Walls & Interior Partitions
Art + Furnishings_Gardens
Lighting, Materials, Color
Formative
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Bespoke Homes & Additions
New Single Family,
Vertical & Lateral Additions
Penthouses, Greenhouses
Terraces, Decks, ADUs
BESPOKE
This is a description of the project. This text is optional and the site layout works fine without it. The slider above (included in the Pro version only) is swipe-enabled with hardware accelerated transitions so it works super-smoothly on touch devices like the iPhone and iPad.
- Client: Wernham Hogg
- Role: Art Direction, Photography, Illustration
- Year: 2013
Design Study. Formative Residence for Fine Art. 2015
Proposal. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing Midrise. Long Island City. 2021 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Midrise Multifamily. Repurpose. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multfamily. Panelized Prefab. Cold Formed Steel.Senior Residential Community. Chicago. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Lowrise Multifamily. Repurpose. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Luxury Condominium. Traditional Highrise. Chicago. Architecture & Interiors. Copyright VHT Studio
Residence. Lake Bluff Illinois. With Tudron Construction. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Design Study. Formative Townhome with Pool. Bronx, NY. 2014. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing Midrise. Long Island City. 2021 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Lowrise Multfamily. Panelized Prefab. Cold Formed Steel. Brooklyn, NY. Urban Townhomes. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Design Study for a West Coast Developer. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing. 2023 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Design Study for a West Coast Developer. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing. 2023 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Design Study for a West Coast Developer. Volumetric Prefab. Micro Housing. 2023 Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Lowrise Multifamily. Penthouse. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Lowrise Multifamily. Chicago. 2000-5. With Philip Cohen AIA Arch. Copyright VHT Studio.
Design Study. Residence Lake Forest IL Remodel. 2000. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Residence. Lake Forest, IL. Interior Remodel, Landscape Design, Flatwork. 2005. Copyright VHT Studio.
Design for Construction. Residence. Lake Forest IL, for Kendler Development. 1995. Copyright 1995 Stephen Synakowski.
Design for Construction. Residence Addition & Landscape Design. Riverwoods IL. 1995. Copyright Stephen Synakowski
Urban Design. Landscape Design. Storebridge Community Village Lake Bluff, IL. Design Proposal 2022. Copyright 2022 Stephen Synakowski
Various Residential Landscapes. Chicago. 2000-2010. Photos copyright Stephen Synakowski
