architecture • interior design • design / build • construction

 

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design seed, inc.

Design Seed is a boutique architecture and interior design company offering in-house design-build services for residential and commercial spaces. We guide you from design through construction all under one roof. Located in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side of Chicago, our integrated, collaborative approach reflects more than 20 years of industry experience.

Ildiko S Hernandez

Co-Owner, Interior Designer

Ildiko Szabo Hernandez is an Interior Designer at Design Seed, Inc with over 10 years of experience in Multi Residential, Model Homes, Commercial, Private Office Suites, Hospitality, Restaurant, and Residential Design.  Projects include renovation and new construction throughout the United States, Romania and France.

Ildiko is the Co-owner and Interior Designer at Design Seed, Inc since 2012.

Her role as an Interior Designer starts with listening closely to the customers’ needs and desires, and go beyond any expectations in delivering the best budget friendly design solution tailored to each individual needs and wishes.

As an interior designer consultant she delivers full set of Interior Drawings, Space planning, Finishes, Furniture, Equipment selection, Furniture procurement, budgeting, construction administration, and project management.

  • Accounting and Financing Degree – Romania

    International Academy of Design & Technology- Chicago, IL 2007 - BFA in Interior Design

  • Former Member of IIDA and NKBA

    Rebuilding Together, Metro Chicago- House Captain Assistant and Interior Designer

    Volunteer and Found Raiser at M Women’s Shelter –Chicago, IL

  • Multi Residential Project Design for w Lobby, Clubrooms, Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Fitness Areas, Leasing Offices, Conference Rooms, Game Areas, Ball Rooms and Public Places and Corridors

    Vermella Lyndhurst, NJ- Clubhouse and Public Spaces

    Metro 303, Hempstead, NY- Clubhouse, Public Spaces and Model Units

    Toro- Sushi Restaurant- Lakeview, Chicago

    Resource Financial Group – Office Suite , Wilmette, IL

    Custom Home Care Office Suite, Chicago, Il

    K & L Office Suites with Private President’s Suites – Downtown- Chicago

    Sea Breeze at Lacey- Clubhouse at Sea Breeze, NJ- Active Adult Community Clubhouse- 2014 NJBA SAM Awards for Best Clubhouse

    Watertown Mews-Luxury Apartment Building, Clubhouse, Amenities and Public Spaces Outside Of Boston, MA

 

Manuel J Hernandez, AIA

Co-Owner, Architect / Builder

Manuel J Hernandez is a Licensed Architect at Design Seed, Inc with over 15 years of experience in architectural project design, preparation of construction documents, construction management, and on-site construction supervision. His project experience includes healthcare, commercial, educational, residential, and municipal works.

  • Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2000

    Licensed Architect, State of Illinois

    Licensed General Contractor

    City of Chicago Registered Energy Professional (REP)

    Certified Lead Paint Renovator

  • North Grant Park Renovation, Owner, Chicago, Illinois.

    Production Manager for the renovation and general landscaping recreation for the park area bounded by Columbus, Lake Shore Drive, Randolph, and Monroe Streets. The space is scheduled to include items such as water features, exterior skating rink, illuminated walkways, concession stands, and public facilities. The garage located directly below this parcel of land is scheduled to undergo complete renovation.

    Permit Reviews, Town of Cicero, Cicero, Illinois.

    Project Manager that provided Building Code reviews for the Town of Cicero as a sub-consultant. Project types include high rise mixed use structures, assisted living, medical centers, museums, storage buildings, multifamily residential, single family residential, retail and restaurants, to name a few.

    Permit Reviews, City of Chicago, Illinois.

    Project Manager that provided Building Code reviews for the City of Chicago as a sub-consultant for Developer Service plan Reviews. Project types include high-rise mixed-use structures, medical centers, multifamily residential, and commercial.

    Truman College Gymnasium Upgrades, City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.

    Architect for the renovation of a 17,000 square foot area including gymnasium, fitness center and lobby space. The scope included providing new air handling units with energy recovery to add cooling for the spaces, upgrading the electrical service, structural modifications to accommodate the new mechanical units, and new lighting in the lobby.

    North Eastern Illinois University, New Central Utility Plant, Chicago, Illinois.

    Architect for the addition of new 12,000 square foot Central Utility Plant to house the new electrical service generators, for the expanding University campus buildings.

    Renaissance New York Hotel 57, Renovation of the flagship boutique hotel, New York, New York

    Product Manager for the flagship renovation of this Midtown Manhattan boutique hotel with contemporary guest rooms in European style. The hotel houses 183 guest rooms, 19 suites, fitness center lobby, lounge and restaurant. The custom products in these areas included architectural finishes, furniture, lighting, artwork and custom fireplace with hand blown glass.

    Renaissance New York Times Square, Renovation of hotel, New York, New York

    Product Manager for public space renovation of this contemporary boutique hotel. Custom products included architectural finishes, custom fiberglass elements, furniture, lighting and artwork

    South Shore Club, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

    Architect for various private Luxury Residnces on this 50 acre development contaiing walking paths, a 5,000 square foot club house with swimming pool, private yacht club on the shores of Lake Geneva.

    Roco-Ki Beach and Golf Resort, Destination resort development, Macao Beach, Dominican Republic

    Architect on a 33 acre resort development containing private residences, residential condo’s various hotel sites, conference center and golf course.

  • Arquitectos, President (2015 – Present)

    Chicago Parks Foundation - Auxilary Board Member (2015 - Present)

    Member, American Institute of Architects Chicago (2000 - Present)

    Rebuilding Together, Metro Chicago, House Captain (2009 – 2013)

    Habitat for Humanity, Illinois volunteer and Global Village participant (2002 – Present)

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Testimonials Gallery

Testimonials

“Manuel and Ildiko are an absolutely fabulous design build team and wonderful people! Manuel built on our Chicago brick bungalow adding a floor with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, while also redoing our kitchen, restoring the original look of our front bay windows, updating our electric, water and HVAC and building us a laundry room in our basement. He was incredibly responsive and worked with us to make our house exactly what we wanted. He is a creative architect and practical builder at the same time, making sure he can meet your design needs and budgetary restraints all in one. I also feel there was such a huge benefit to having an architect working on our house, especially a 100+ year old house like ours, as he is able to adjust as he goes to make sure the build works. Also, the front of our house is beautiful and perfectly in keeping with the home, which is a difficult feat when building on an old house like ours. And Ildiko is able to step in so seamlessly and make sure your design needs becomes a reality. I had a vision for what I wanted in the master bath and she made it happen, from tile and color selections to making sure all everything fits right and adding the right amount of color! She also was so helpful with finding everything we needed and helping us order. Could not recommend them enough.”

- Natasha E.

Testimonials

”This is my 3rd project with Design Seed! Wow!!!! Each time they exceed my expectations! Incredible attention to detail, top echelon expertise, kind yet firm direction given in order to stick with budget. I’ve been working with Manuel and Ildiko for over 10 years now and have referred them to all of my friends and family! Top notch firm!'

- Ivana D.

Testimonials

“My husband has known of Design Seed and be recommended them to me. I never thought I would need a designer and architect to know what I want. Well....let’s just say i am so grateful, humbled and appreciative of them. Ildiko on the design side got to k or me first, and from there she somehow knew my vision. I am so lucky for her work because it’s my vision, she just made it come to fruition so much easier. I highly recommend this company, they will make your vision come to life, your stress not stressful, and the final outcome so beautiful. I am so happy I chose to set aside my stubbornness and use Design Seed! I’m currently using them for my kitchen and master suite! Pictures to come!”

- Aree M.

Testimonials

“Not only is Design Seed building out my Paint & Sip art studio (Bottle & Bottega Highland Park), during the planning phase our personal home suffered a catastrophic fire and we decided have Design Seed design and rebuilt our home. Manuel is a consummate professional keeping us in the "loop" on all updates and movement of the buildings via their online project website. We are very happy with their level of response, courtesy and open mindedness when it comes to making tough decisions about our buildout and our rebuild.”

- Christopher B.

Testimonials

“Manuel walked through our home and broke down the short-term and long-term steps for several projects. From opening up our kitchen to expanding our home office, Manuel made the seemingly overwhelming process clear and financially feasible. We are looking forward to starting our remodel with Design Seed!”

-Matthew Z.

Testimonials

"We worked with Manuel on a large scale renovation of our home utilizing both his architectural and construction skills. Working with Manuel on all aspects of our reno made this project much less stressful. I appreciate his attention to detail, his insights and his hands on approach to ensuring our project met our expectations and our budget constraints. I would highly recommend Design Seed and would welcome the opportunity to work with them again.”
-Kristie R

Testimonials

”My wife and I hired Design Seed to complete a gut rehab of our 1910 Chicago Bungalow. Manuel was great to work with. As you can imagine, when gutting a home from 1910, not everything went as we planned. Manuel met us at the house after work a number of times and spent hours working through these issues with us, to everyone's satisfaction. The subs that he hired were also professional and did a nice job. In the end though, what mattered most, was that we trusted Manuel to be honest and fair, and he came through!”

-Charlie J

 
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