AIA Chicago

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming new members, recognizing those celebrating five years of AIA membership, and honoring newly licensed architects at AIA Chicago's Member Milestone happy hour.

From emerging professionals beginning their involvement with AIA Chicago to members reaching important career milestones, it was an evening filled with meaningful conversations, new connections, and shared excitement for the future of the profession.

A special congratulations to our newly licensed architects, who were presented with a commemorative keepsake, crafted by Jeff Solin, in recognition of this significant professional achievement.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your energy, ideas, and commitment to architecture continue to shape our community, and we are grateful to support you throughout your professional journey.

The 2026 Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Symposium at The MART brought together an inspiring community of architects, designers, and industry leaders for a day centered around the future of residential design.

From preservation and performance to wellness and visual storytelling, this year’s symposium presentations explored the evolving language of residential architecture through thoughtful conversations on heritage, building science, biophilic design, photography, and practice.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, sponsored, and contributed to such a dynamic and collaborative event.

Thanks to the BSH Experience & Design Group, featuring Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau — for hosting the afterparty, catered by The Alston.

Special thanks to our CRAN Symposium Host Committee:
Julie Hacker, FAIA, Co-Chair; Stuart Cohen & Julie Hacker Architects
Bob Zuber, AIA, Co-Chair; Morgante Wilson Architects ()
Alicia Blakely, AIA, SERENE Architecture + Design (.architecture)
Stuart Cohen, FAIA, Stuart Cohen & Julie Hacker Architects
Tim Hawkins, AIA, Luxury Residence Group by Power Construction ()
Coley Holland, Affil. AIA Chicago, Barrett’s Technology Solutions ()
Ron Mescall, Affil. AIA Chicago, Pella ()
Susan Patenaude, AIA, WPA Chicago
()
Seth Romig, AIA, Seth Romig Architect ()
Mike Shively, AIA, En Masse Architecture and Design ()

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🏡 House, Health, and Heritage.

This year, AIA Chicago's Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Symposium exploring how the "home" is evolving within our urban and cultural landscape. Whether you’re a solo practitioner, part of a large firm, or an emerging designer, this event is designed to help you bridge the gap between historic preservation and future-forward performance.

📅 Thursday, May 14, 2026
📍 WorkLife Meetings at THE MART
Register before May 8: https://aiachicago.org/cransymposium-2026/

What’s on the agenda?

1️⃣ Saved from the Wrecking Ball: Preserving our Residential Heritage: Gunny Harboe, FAIA
2️⃣ Building Science for Residential Home Performance: Transitioning to IECC 2024: Robert Schildgen
3️⃣ Photography: The Art and Craft of Seeing: Steve Hall, Thomas Harris, and Tony Soluri
4️⃣ Biophilic Design for Residential Living: A Human Centered Approach to Health and Wellbeing: Sharlene Young, AIA
5️⃣ Architalks: What We Do and How We Do It: April Hughes, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Laura Lee McAllister, Ross Renjilian, and William Scholtens

🧑‍🍳 Your Culinary Passport: Neighborhoods of Chicago Tasting - Enjoy live cooking from Michelin-starred Chef Jenner Tomaska of The Alston, special thanks to BSH Experience and Design Center!

Thank you to our CRAN Symposium Host Committee: Julie Hacker FAIA and Bob Zuber, AIA, co-chairs; Alicia (Chlebek) Blakely AIA, NCARB, Stuart Cohen, FAIA, Tim Hawkins, AIA, Coley Holland, Affil. AIA Chicago, Ron Mescall, Affil. AIA Chicago, Susan Patenaude, AIA, Seth Romig, AIA, and Mike Shively, AIA.

Custom Residential Architects Network Symposium + Reception 2026 - AIA Chicago This year’s symposium, House, Health, and Heritage, dives into the technical and emotional layers of practice—from the preservation of historic 19th-century dwellings to the rigorous building science of the upcoming IECC 2024 codes.

We’re on a billboard! 🥳

If you find yourself driving through the city this month, keep an eye out for a very special addition to the Chicago skyline. We are thrilled to announce that the AIA Chicago Foundation is currently featured on a billboard with a message that sits at the very heart of our work: “Investing in the next generation of architects.”

👀 See the Billboard:
The AIA Chicago Foundation Billboard is on the Kennedy Expressway near North Avenue during April 2026, every day from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

📖 Read more at the LINK IN BIO

📸

Today, we were thrilled to welcome AIA EVP/CEO Carole Wedge, FAIA, to our office. She met with former AIA presidents and AIA Chicago members Kimberly Dowdell, AIA and Peter Exley, FAIA, EVP Eric Klinner, CAE, and AIA Chicago leadership including Board Members and Knowledge Community an Affinity Group leaders.

We’re thrilled for what’s to come!