Robert A. Bell Architects

03/02/2026

I just listened to and watched the YouTube video explaining the Trump Ballroom project (disguised as the East Wing Modernization Project). It is possible to watch the 30 minute video and then make a "comment" for the public meeting which will be held on March 5. It is a monstrous design, a disgrace to any architect/engineer stooping so low to design this Trump "vanity project". If you want to express your opinion do it today or tomorrow, don't delay.

04/28/2024

This terrific film about teenager Chris, his family, his Alaska Village, was shown on PBS Independent Lens; it is a good look at a young fellow who follows in the tradition of the native Alaskan people, killing a whale to provide for the whole community. It shows the threat of climate change that effects the traditional way of life. After enduring terrible negative outpouring on social media, Chris was recognized and honored for his skill as a hunter and provider. Thanks to the community that welcomed the film-makers and allowed them to tell a significant story.

A shy Alaskan Native teen becomes the youngest person ever to harpoon a whale for his village as an act of subsistence. With this triumph comes brutal social media attacks from around the world.

Stream One with the Whale on the PBS App starting April 23.
pbs.org/onewiththewhale

05/26/2023

These are the "before" photos on two current projects which are pending. More posts coming up soon !

06/06/2021

A rare example of a Swiss design with an open porch at ground level. Swiss decorative elements have influenced the Arts & Crafts style bigtime, i.e. eave brackets, generous roof overhangs, etc.

Found on Google from www.houzz.in

06/06/2021

The Swiss chalet design tradition has influenced Victorian residential design more than I realized. Currently I am designing a porch for a cabin up nort in the UP Michigan, where I designed a second floor cabin addition a few years ago. The owners added some "chalet-style" railings.

Swiss chalet style is an architectural style of Late Historicism, originally inspired by rural chalets in Switzerland and the Alpine regions of Central Europe. The style refers to traditional building designs characterised by widely projecting roofs and facades richly decorated with wooden balconies...

10/27/2020

This bungalow facelift involved expanding the living room and front bedroom into the space which was the enclosed front porch, originally an open front porch. The redesign included removing the useless, inaccessible dormer, but the former owners decided to keep it. Now I am designing a major addition at the back of the house and hope that the current owners will opt to remove the "decorative" dormer and have a simple hip roof, "Prairie style" in front.

10/10/2018

Oak Park IL additions & remodeling designs by Robert A. Bell Architects located on a village block of 1900-1920 Foursquare style homes.

09/25/2018

Architect H.H.Richardson designed this house for the Glessner family in 1885 for a site at Prairie Ave. & 18th St. It is now the anchor of the Prairie Avenue Historic District which includes the Clarke House, the oldest remaining house in Chicago, and the Chicago Women's Park, honoring great Chicago women. Glessner House is a unique use of its urban site, and a radical departure from the typical city mansion designs of that "Gilded Age". Richardson influenced Chicago architects Louis Sullivan and his protege Frank Lloyd Wright. Robert A. Bell Architects did early restoration work at Glessner House in the late 1970's & early 80's.

04/18/2018