Wheeler Kearns Architects

Wheeler Kearns Architects Our office is devoted to a critical pursuit and practice of architecture. We believe in the search for spaces which define a full, rich, and dignified life

Ednovate seeks not only to prepare students for college success but also to empower them to use their degrees to drive p...
06/04/2026

Ednovate seeks not only to prepare students for college success but also to empower them to use their degrees to drive positive multigenerational change in their communities. WKA served as Design Architect, prototyping and adapting learning environments that support Ednovate’s educational model, which emphasizes project-based learning, blended learning, and community impact across five operating campuses.⁠
⁠
At the USC Hybrid High campus, flexible 'quad-pod' learning spaces, each consisting of four classrooms or 'pods,' are arranged around an open studio for each grade level. On the first floor, the pods spill into a daylit double-height 'town hall,' which serves as a space where high school seniors present their projects and engage with the school community.⁠
⁠
Architect of Record: NAC Architecture⁠
⁠
⁠⁠Check out more project images here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/ednovate-usc-hybrid-high-college-prep/
⠀⁠
⁠⁠ ⁠
📸 Eric Staudenmaier

Thrilled to share images of the recently completed Catholic Charities Summit Community Center, alongside a recent featur...
06/01/2026

Thrilled to share images of the recently completed Catholic Charities Summit Community Center, alongside a recent feature in the Chicago Tribune.⁠
⁠
The article highlights how the project's adaptive reuse and trauma-informed design create a welcoming hub for food access, counseling, job training, and community gathering in Summit, Illinois.⁠
⁠
In the article, architecture critic Edward Keegan writes:⁠
⁠
"The late Pope Francis spoke of the need to “to encounter people where and as they are,” a charge that Catholic Charities embraces every day as part of its mission. But by rejecting the wanton destruction of old buildings that is the unfortunate norm in Chicago, Wheeler Kearns’ new Summit Community Center demonstrates that we can approach buildings in a similarly generous manner and encourage both human and architectural flourishing through thoughtful design."⁠
⁠
Read “Catholic Charities’ new center in Summit allows for human and architectural flourishing” in the Chicago Tribune here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/31/opinion-column-chicago-catholic-charities-summit-community-center-keegan/

⁠
📸 Tom Harris

Nestled on a one-acre wooded ravine site, Two Gables' glazed breezeway fuses house and landscape. The breezeway, spannin...
05/20/2026

Nestled on a one-acre wooded ravine site, Two Gables' glazed breezeway fuses house and landscape. The breezeway, spanning between two crisp, vernacular-inspired gabled volumes, features floor-to-ceiling glass doors and an exterior wood shell that slides inside on both ends, softening the threshold between indoors and outdoors. At the entry, an operable vertical wood screen provides a variety of degrees of privacy, allowing natural light to filter in during the day while screening views into the home at night.⁠
⁠
See more photos here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/two-gables/

⁠ ⁠ ⁠
📸 Kendall McCaugherty

Just as Lookingglass Theatre pushes the boundaries of storytelling, their new lobby transcends the limitations of its hi...
05/13/2026

Just as Lookingglass Theatre pushes the boundaries of storytelling, their new lobby transcends the limitations of its historic setting, turning constraints into a dynamic, welcoming space through innovative design.⁠
⁠
Navigating the challenges of a historic building and tight budget, the design team reimagined modular automation components from Rose+Krieger to create a custom, translucent glowing fiberglass amber core that anchors the space, housing amenities like the box office, coat check, and universal restrooms. Inspired by theatrical pipe grids, the structure was built from off-the-shelf parts and assembled locally—achieving big impact with modest means.⁠
⁠
Check out more project photos here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/lookingglass-theatre-lobby-renovation/

⁠ ⁠
📸: Tom Harris

At the heart of the Glenview Residence, a sculptural floating stair ascends to the second-floor Gallery Hall, where a ro...
05/06/2026

At the heart of the Glenview Residence, a sculptural floating stair ascends to the second-floor Gallery Hall, where a roof pop-up with clerestory windows floods a central gathering space with daylight. Behind flush wall-panel doors, four bedrooms pinwheel around the light-filled gallery, each opening into a quiet, private retreat.⁠ The interior material palette supports a neutral field for artwork, composed of earthen porcelain floor tiles, light-colored wall panels, and warm oak stair treads. ⁠
⁠
See more project images here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/glenview-residence/

⁠ ⁠
📸 Tom Harris

Courtyard Retreat has received a Special Mention in the 2026 Architizer A+ Awards in the Private House (M, 2,000–4,000 s...
05/05/2026

Courtyard Retreat has received a Special Mention in the 2026 Architizer A+ Awards in the Private House (M, 2,000–4,000 sq ft) category for its thoughtful integration of architecture and landscape.⁠
⁠
Nestled in a heavily wooded ravine at Camp Madron, the home juxtaposes the wild beauty of the surrounding woods with a controlled, curated courtyard garden. Centered on a glass-lined courtyard—the soul of the house—the design brings daylight deep into the interior while maintaining privacy and a constant connection to nature.⁠
⁠
See more here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/courtyard-retreat/

⁠ ⁠
📸 Steve Hall, Brian Griffin (Aerial)

At Lupine Montessori, the reception desk wraps around a slatted, wood-clad support volume, forming a continuous counter ...
04/22/2026

At Lupine Montessori, the reception desk wraps around a slatted, wood-clad support volume, forming a continuous counter for display and everyday needs. Bathed in natural light from skylights above and accented with open shelves and plants, this warm central hub greets students as they enter while housing support spaces such as the quiet room, coat storage, print room, and staff areas.⁠
⁠⁠
See more photos here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/lupine-montessori/

⁠
📸:⁠ Brian Griffin

We’re proud to share that our very own Fabiola Yep is a co-author of City Shapers, the latest release from the Immigrant...
04/15/2026

We’re proud to share that our very own Fabiola Yep is a co-author of City Shapers, the latest release from the Immigrant Architects Coalition (IAC). This inspiring book brings together the voices of 30 contributors, offering insight, experience, and guidance for navigating the architectural profession in the U.S.

Join us in celebrating Fabiola and this incredible community of architects shaping cities—and futures—across the country.
Grab it tomorrow on Kindle for $1.99!

At the Uruguayan American School (UAS), the phased renovation and master plan center the iconic UAS tree on a new outdoo...
04/15/2026

At the Uruguayan American School (UAS), the phased renovation and master plan center the iconic UAS tree on a new outdoor terrace. Circulation, seating, and social pavilions flow around it, creating flexible spaces for connection, creativity, and gathering. The design extends this pavilion language across campus, balancing active and quiet learning zones while enhancing circulation and daily campus life.⁠
⁠
See more photos here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/uruguayan-american-school-master-plan/

⁠ ⁠ ⁠
📸:⁠ Tara White

Located adjacent to the Richard Gray Gallery Warehouse, a new space is renovated to thoughtfully support the gallery’s e...
04/08/2026

Located adjacent to the Richard Gray Gallery Warehouse, a new space is renovated to thoughtfully support the gallery’s evolving needs. The expansion creates a seamless connection to the original gallery, introducing offices, additional exhibition areas, a dedicated area for photography and documentation, and much-needed art storage. ⁠
⁠
Honoring the industrial character and material sensibility of the building, the renovation extends the quiet architectural language of the original gallery—deepening the gallery’s capacity to present, support, and engage with contemporary art.⁠
⁠
See more project images here: https://wkarch.com/catalog/richard-gray-gallery-warehouse-expansion/

⁠
📸 Tom Harris

Address

343 S Dearborn Street, Ste 200
Chicago, IL
60604

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wheeler Kearns Architects posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share