Create an Exterior That Feels Like It Always Belonged.
A successful exterior renovation should look like it was part of the home from the beginning.
Maybe the front of the house no longer reflects the home you want. Maybe an addition needs to feel connected to the original architecture. Maybe the backyard has become more important to the way you live, but the house does not connect to it well.
Crimson Design & Construction brings architecture, design, and construction together to rethink the exterior of existing homes throughout Chicago, the North Shore, and the western suburbs.
We look at the architecture, the property, the way you live, and what needs to change so the finished result feels intentional rather than added on.
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Chicago · North Shore · Western Suburbs
THE RIGHT BEGINNING
An exterior renovation is not simply a collection of improvements.
Changing the front entry affects the way the home meets the street. Adding a new room changes the proportions of the house. Reworking the rear of the home changes how the interior connects to the yard.
New windows, doors, materials, porches, and outdoor spaces all become part of the same architectural conversation.
That is why we start by understanding the home as a whole.
What is worth preserving? What needs to change? Where does the house feel disconnected? How should the new work relate to what is already there?
The answers shape the design.
ARCHITECTURE
Shape the exterior around the existing home, property, and your goals.
DESIGN
Develop materials, details, outdoor spaces, and connections that make the project feel cohesive.
CONSTRUCTION
Bring the design to life with the same team responsible for developing it.
THE CRIMSON DIFFERENCE
One Team. Architecture, Design & Construction Together.
Exterior projects can become complicated quickly.
A new addition has to work with the existing structure. Materials need to coordinate with the architecture. Windows and doors affect both the exterior and interior. Outdoor spaces need to connect to how the home is actually used.
At Crimson, those decisions are not made by disconnected teams.
Our architects, designers, and construction professionals work together throughout the project, so the person developing the design understands how it will be built and the construction team understands the intent behind it.
ONE VISION. ONE PROCESS. ONE ACCOUNTABLE TEAM.
A MORE COHESIVE EXPERIENCE
The result should not look like old and new were simply joined together. It should feel like one home.
BEFORE THE DESIGN
Understand the Home Before Changing It.
Every existing home has a history.
Previous renovations, structural changes, aging materials, additions, mechanical systems, property constraints, and local requirements all become part of the project.
Before making major exterior changes, we want to understand what we are working with.
We evaluate the existing conditions, study the property, consider what your municipality requires, and look at how the proposed changes will affect the rest of the home.
That groundwork gives the design somewhere solid to start.
01
THE HOME
What should stay?
02
THE PROPERTY
What can change?
03
THE DESIGN
What should it become?
04
THE PLAN
How will it all come together?
The Best Exterior Changes Start With What Is Already There.
Before adding something new, we look at what makes the existing home work.
The proportions. The rooflines. The windows. The materials. The entry. The relationship between the front and rear elevations. The details that give the home its character.
Understanding those elements helps us make changes that feel intentional rather than disconnected.
ARCHITECTURE
Proportions, character, materials
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Structure, openings, systems
OPPORTUNITIES
Where the home can work better
THE RESULT
A Home That Feels More Complete.
When the exterior, architecture, and way you live are considered together, the result can be much more than a cosmetic update.
The front of the home can feel more considered. Additions can become part of the original architecture. Outdoor spaces can feel connected to the interior. And the entire property can begin to feel like one cohesive design.
BETTER ARCHITECTURAL CONTINUITY
DESIGN & INVESTMENT
Good Exterior Design Needs a Real Plan Behind It.
Exterior projects can involve more decisions than they appear to from the street.
Materials, windows, doors, structural changes, additions, outdoor spaces, drainage, landscaping relationships, permitting, and architectural details all have to work together.
We develop those decisions during the design process so the construction scope is understood before the work begins.
The goal is not to create a beautiful drawing and figure out the construction later.
The goal is to develop an exterior that makes sense for the home, the property, your goals, and the investment required to build it.
A CLEARER PATH
From an Existing Home to a Defined Design.
You may know that the exterior needs to change without knowing exactly what the answer should be.
That is where the design process begins.
We take the problems you are trying to solve and develop them into a plan that considers the architecture, property, materials, construction requirements, and way the home will ultimately be used.
01 UNDERSTAND
We study the existing home, property, architecture, and what you want to change.
02 DEFINE
We develop the architectural direction, scope, and possibilities for the exterior.
03 ALIGN
Materials, details, investment, permitting, and construction requirements are resolved together.
04 MOVE FORWARD
With a defined plan, the design can move into construction without leaving the important decisions for later.
“The best homes are the result of great design and realistic planning, from the very beginning.”
— CRIMSON DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
READY TO EXPLORE WHAT’S POSSIBLE?
Let’s talk through your goals, the possibilities, and the clearest path forward.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
From the First Idea to the Finished Exterior.
A major exterior renovation should not feel like a series of disconnected decisions.
We guide the project through the existing conditions, design, selections, documentation, permitting, construction, and final details with one team responsible for keeping everything connected.
You should know what is happening, what comes next, and why each decision matters.
WATCH OUR CLIENt's eXperience
TESTIMONIALS
Thoughtful Design.
Beautiful Results. Happy Clients.
Every project is approached with care, integrity, and a genuine desire to create a home that feels beautiful, functional, and deeply personal.
Ira Weiss
"Glenn and the Crimson team did a complete remodel of the top floor of our home, including a complete reconfiguration of the bathroom. They are pure professionals. They know all the ins and outs of everything. For us, Glenn did the architectural work, and him and the team did all the construction work. Our house turned out amazing, and we would highly recommend him. If we ever need to do significant work on the home again, we will use him and the team at Crimson."
Alicia M
"Glenn and the team of professionals at Crimson Design did an impeccable job creating our state of the art video and photography studio. From the technical needs - like a 20' backdrop - to the client facing details - like the climate controlled, glass-walled conference room, Crimson had the expertise to get the job done and done well. Every person on his crew was conscientious and experienced, assuring no detail was overlooked. It was a relief to work with a contractor I could trust and talk freely with throughout the entire process. They even stayed within budget! I will absolutely be calling Glenn for my next project."
Wendy Braverman
"After years of contemplating a first-floor remodel of our split-level mid-century modern home, we chose Crimson Design & Construction to bring our vision to life—and they delivered beyond expectations. From the beginning, we were impressed by Glenn’s architectural background and his ability to truly listen. He helped us reimagine our space, showing how removing walls and expanding the kitchen would enhance not just the kitchen itself, but also our living, dining, entryway, and outdoor areas. The remodel was extensive: structural wall removal, load-bearing beam installation, sliding doors and windows, hardwood floor refinishing, door replacements, electrical upgrades (including burying overhead lines), a complete kitchen renovation, and replacing our old deck with a maintenance-free composite one—all while we remained in the home. Glenn, along with designer Heidi, project manager Alex, and the entire construction team, delivered outstanding results while maintaining the integrity and style of our home. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and overall quality exceeded our expectations. The team was professional, courteous, clean, and deeply committed to their work. Though the project took a bit longer than expected, it stayed on budget—and the results speak for themselves. We love our new kitchen, deck, and expanded living space - what a transformation! We highly recommend Crimson Design & Construction."
