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Still quiet reminiscent a more glamorc past, yet very 1968 contemporary is the old Idlehour theatre at,' 7 S. 2d at., St. Charles,, which a quartet of St. Charles architects have converted into their own offices. The compromise between old and new helped solve their first problem —of persuading the building's o ner to a conversion. He had reft sed offers to buy the building for raz ng. The vrchitects, whose firm name, Sc Stevens Peterson & Flock, Inc., is etched on a small b ass plaque to the right of the entraitce, give equal billing to tradition. A matching plaque on the•Ieft reads "The Idlehour Theatre est. 1900." [It will be changed to 1913, which t aey have learned is more accurate.] A SCALLOPED semi- circle of white canvas awning, flanked by large black wrought iron gaslights further distinguishom the entrance. Black doors project handsome brass hArdware. On the sidewalk, at either side of the entrance, is an old cart, tipped on end and filled with fresh flowers. The flowers are for sale at the Idle Hour Ltd. shop that occupies an inside corner. The theater offered vaudeville to Fox River valley audiences in its heyday. Meredith Willson appea ed there with John Philip Sousa's b nd in 1921, according to architect P ui Stevens. An unconfirmed report s ys Gertrude Lawrence played Idleho 's stage, too. THAT STAGE IS now the arc 1. tec_ ts' planning department. Exc pt at the noon hour, when the lar ge table converts for Pingpong. The m en intend to add basketball nets and a trampoline for midday recreation. Otherwise, concealed behind grz ss gr, * elvet curtains, the stage is In I& quiet,snaclous workroom. TRIBUNE, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1968 The Idlehour theatre, now billed as an office building, has a work- recreation area onstage. The orchestra, bright- ened by cream walls, a skylight, and proscenium lights, incorporates a planter and conversation circle.