PRAGMATICS
AESTHETICS
+ POETICS
LISA JAFFE, PRINCIPAL + OWNER
AIA, LEED APRigorous training and practice, a collaborative approach and a strong instinct for creative problem-solving have earned Lisa Jaffe scores of loyal clients who connect with her brand of sophisticated, functional design for their homes. At JAFFE ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS, Lisa and her highly skilled, hand-picked team are devoted to transforming her clients’ desires into timelessly beautiful, liveable spaces.
Lisa received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, which also included time studying in Florence, Italy. After receiving her degrees, she practiced at several of Chicago’s high-end residential architecture firms.
In 1997, a chance meeting afforded Lisa, a relative newcomer to the business of architecture, the rare opportunity to design and build a new construction home in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. With that assignment, JAFFE A+I was born. Now 26 years later, Lisa and her talented team have sustained the firm’s success through commissions from a national and international clientele. She has come to achieve prominence in the Chicagoland residential architectural scene, with her work most notably featured in Dream Homes Chicago (showcasing Chicago’s Finest Architects), Chicago Magazine, Trends Magazine, Northshore Magazine, Chicago Home and the Franklin Report.
Lisa’s passion for architecture is a given. What some may not know is she’s also an enthusiast for culture both high and low. An ardent supporter of the Chicago Humanities Festival and a lover of all things Netflix and HBO, she can easily converse about the deep and consequential or riff on the season finale of Grace and Frankie.
For relaxation and renewal, she balances her life with travel, hiking and walking. Her walking pal, Brode, is a smart, laid-back, black flat-coated retriever. (He also happens to be the studio’s mascot and greeter-in-chief to clients and friends.) Her travel experiences have taken her far away — across Europe and Asia — and to parts closer to home — Michigan. Whether hiking across Italy or taking in the ancient architecture of Jerusalem or Lijiang, she is influenced and nurtured by nature’s majestic landscapes and the magnificent art and edifices wrought by human hands.
APPRECIATION FOR JAFFE A+I
Lisa Jaffe’s vocation is her avocation. “Architecture is so rewarding because it has a direct impact on people’s lives on a very intimate level — whether you realize it or not, architecture impacts how you feel when you enter a room.” Lisa believes the greatest satisfaction of all comes when clients tell her: “I love coming home!”
I cannot say enough good things about Lisa Jaffe and her team. We worked hand in glove for close to 4 years — from concept to completion — of the renovation of our vintage apartment. The team’s patience, thoroughness, creativity (both from a design perspective and a value engineering/budgeting perspective) were phenomenal. At every stage, and more, the team was there for us. They managed the entire process with patience and professionalism. I would work with them again in a heartbeat and would recommend their services unconditionally.
Adam C.
We took our house down to the studs and added on. Lisa re-designed the house. We are on the lake and flow of the house now orients better to the lake. Also we re-did our upstairs to move master bedroom to view of the lake. We added more bedrooms on upstairs, added a media room, work out room, expanded the family room, added on to create a playroom/sleepover room. Lisa thinks of every detail – focusing on how our family would use the space. She also helped us re-do interiors using a mix of Mart and less expensive options – it fits well to the personality of our family and all the rooms flow with same color palate.
Wendy B.
This was my second time working with JAFFE ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS, and I would recommend them highly. When my non-standard sized oven broke, JAFFE A+I helped figure out how to reconfigure the kitchen to accommodate a new oven. They made my 15+ year old kitchen function better in the process. Seamless coordination with the contractor ensured that the work went smoothly, and minimized the disruption of our lives during construction. Previously, we worked with Jaffe Architecture and Interiors on a major remodel of our 1899 home. Their creativity was put to work to make the spaces of this old house function for a family in the year 2000. Combining old with new, we remodeled the home in keeping with historic standards. Lisa’s taste is exquisite, and her input made for a beautiful and livable end product.
Kim S.
Lisa Jaffe was absolutely excellent. She listened to me, and took on board my comments and likes and dislikes. She made completely sensible suggestions when it came where to spend my budget, where to spend money and where to save. Her ideas were excellent when it came to both the architectural changes as well as the decor. I have lived in my completely refurbished house for 6 years now, and would not have changed a thing. The final product would not be any thing half as good without the services of Lisa Jaffe and her team.
Elizabeth H.
Lisa Jaffe and her team were engaged for the purpose of designing a custom home for my wife and myself. While this group is small in size, it works to their favor. They are agile, responsive and deliver a highly personal experience. Each individual is highly competent and they work best when you put your trust in their hands. They guide, provide options and collaborate. If you want quality and this is personal, Lisa and her team are who you want — look no further. We loved our experience. If we ever do this again, we are going straight to them. They are THE best. Cannot recommend them highly enough. Thank you Jaffe Team, we LOVE our residence.
George V.
JAFFE ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS is one of the most outstanding architectural firms in Chicago. Lisa Jaffe, principal architect is a consummate professional — creative, detailed, value oriented — and makes the design process easy and fun. You will end up with a beautiful home that is a timeless treasure. They designed our home completed in 2001 and we are still enjoying it as though it was brand new!
V.S.H.