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Timeless Design Talk #6 - Mar 5, 2026
by Tom Ryan, Architect
Ten Commandments of Timeless Design for Houses of any Age
Ten Commandments of Timeless Design for Houses of any Age
Naperville Preservation, Inc. (NPI) is pleased to present Ten Commandments of Timeless Design for Houses of Any Age, a series of ten talks over two years presented by longtime Naperville architect and NPI Board Member, Tom Ryan.
Inspired by the "bible" of residential design "Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid" by Marianne Cusato, Ben Pentreath, Richard Sammons and Leon Krier, these entertaining talks will aim to distill timeless residential design into memorable bite-size chunks for use in remodeling, additions and new construction for projects of any age, budget, size or style.
After each talk attendees will be given a collectible postcard summarizing the commandment and be invited to "Walk the Talk" during a mini field trip the following Saturday morning to experience the topic live and in-person.
WARNING: By attending a Talk and 'Walking the Talk' you will most likely know more about that particular topic than your friends, neighbors, builders and maybe your architect...don't get cocky. 😉
Topics will include an overview of the series and the timeless design concept, transforming dated houses, site planning, creating a welcoming house, choosing exterior materials, roof basics, perfect porch construction, doors & windows, balconies & bays and interior tips and tricks.
In 2026, the talks will have a street by street focus of our beloved Historic District. First up, Talk #6 with the houses along Center and Ellsworth Streets!
The 4 remaining 2026 dates in the series planned for these dates*:
Tuesday, Apr 21 (Brainard St & Loomis St)
Thursday, Jun 25 (Sleight St)
Thursday, Aug 27 (Wright St)
and Thursday, Oct 22 (Columbia St)
The cost per talk will be free for members and $10 for non-members.
Be sure you are on our email list to receive the most timely announcements about the series.
* Please note, unforeseen circumstances may cause the dates to be altered. Location for the meetings is being negotiated.
Timeless Design for Houses: Talk #6
Timeless Design for Houses: Talk #6
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Naper Boulevard Library Program Room
2035 S Naper Blvd
Naperville, IL 60565
Cost: $10 non-members,
members free (use new member promo code!)
Registration Link — space limited to 40 people
Naperville’s Historic District is a wonderful place to explore some of America’s most beloved architectural styles including Greek Revival, Italianate, Victorian, Colonial Revival, Prairie, and Craftsman.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was an informational and entertaining way to explore those houses in pictures then in person? Well, you guessed it…there is!
Please join Naperville Preservation Inc.’s Tom Ryan as he continues his ten part series Commandments of Timeless Design for Houses of Any Age with "Commandment #6, Know What Roof Types to Use…and Not Overuse". He’ll begin 2026 with a new street by street focus of our beloved Historic District. First up, the houses along Center and Ellsworth Streets!
No worries if you don’t live in a historic house or neighborhood…think of these details as basic architectural principles capable of enhancing any house. Most of the time-honored architectural details we know and love are nothing more than thoughtfully designed practical solutions to common problems…like supporting heavy materials or keeping out the rain.
As a follow up to the Talk, we’ll "Walk the Talk" (short walking tour) the following Saturday morning, March 7th to see the houses and details that make this neighborhood so special to our community.
Don't forget to renew your membership . If you are not a member, please consider joining.
Missed an earlier talk?
Missed an earlier talk?
Here are summations and videos from those talks:
Good as New — Second Lives for Dated Houses 2025.04.10
Use Scale, Balance and Proportion for an Approachable House 2025.08.13
Authenticity and Restraint When Choosing Exterior Materials 2025.10.09
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