Did you know, while humans enjoy summer fun on the Chicago Riverwalk, the number of fish species has significantly increased over the last 50 years. Pollution and habitat destruction negatively impacted the river’s fish, but improvements to water quality and habitat restoration have led to a rise of over 70 fish species found in the river today.

In 2005, the Friends of the Chicago River pioneered the installation of fish hotels—floating artificial habitats that provide shelter and food for fish. Ross Barney Architects and the design team contributed to this positive change by installing new fish hotels in the Jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk during its redesign.

"They laughed when the late Mayor Richard J. Daley said there was nothing so wholesome as a fish and people should be able to pluck their lunch from the Chicago River".

Did you know that Evanston, Illinois, is home to several building designs by Ross Barney Architects?

Ross Barney Architects are proud and privileged to have contributed to Evanston’s urban landscape through the design of several landmark projects that have become community icons. Since the early 1990s, our work in Evanston includes notable building designs such as the LEED Platinum Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation Synagogue, the Levy Senior Center, the Howard Street/Theo Ubique Theatre, the Wells Fargo Bank (formerly World Savings Bank), and multiple design projects for the Evanston/Skokie School District 65.

Working with a community that values design excellence—functional, sustainable, cost-effective, and engaging public spaces—has been an inspiring and rewarding experience for Ross Barney Architects.

Ross Barney Architects celebrates National Bike to Work Day with a bold vision to reimagine a borrowed lane of Upper Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago as an enhanced bicycle and pedestrian zone. This is the type of city-making design improvements cities need to thrive.

Click here to learn more about the proposed Chicago Riverpark.

Ross Barney Architects honors Earth Day as we design to preserve the planet for future generations. We are a long-standing participant in the AIA 2030 Commitment and Architects Advocate, actively monitoring and striving to lower the energy consumption and the carbon footprint of our projects. No matter the scope or scale, each project we design explores an inventive and integrated approach to environmental stewardship; anything less is not an option.

Click here to learn more about a selection of sustainable projects by Ross Barney Architects

Ross Barney Architects celebrates Landscape Architecture month with over 40 years of practice improving communities nationwide through social, economic, and environmental stewardship of public spaces.  Our projects include the Railyard Park in Rogers, Arkansas, the Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago’s Bloomingdale Trail Framework Design for the 606 Trail, and our new DuSable Park, honoring the city's founder, Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable. 

In 2023, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA and AIA Gold Medal recipient, was recognized as an Honorary Member by the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2018. Our firm collaborates with top landscape architects across the country, and our Landscape Studio is led by Misa Inoue, PLA, ASLA.

Click here to learn more about the projects.

As a final celebration of Women’s History Month, we share a video produced by the City of Chicago Cable Channel 25 that showcases a series of interviews highlighting the achievements of remarkable Chicago women. 

Click here to watch the Channel 25 feature.

“…here are women achieving significant milestones who have often been overlooked. They have not yet received the recognition they deserve, which matters a great deal, especially in fields like architecture where opportunity is paramount.” 
– Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, Founder and Design Principal of Ross Barney Architects and the recipient of the 2023 American Institute of Architects, Gold Medal.

Produced by the Chicago Architecture Center, learn from Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, the 2023 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal recipient, as she shares why Chicago is considered the city of architecture.  

Click here to watch the video.

Relentlessly advocating that excellent design is a right, not a privilege, Carol and her firm, Ross Barney Architects, are dedicated to the design of public spaces, exploring the power of the built environment to improve our daily lives.

Are you passionate about storytelling, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and enjoy a culture of inquiry?
 

Check here for open opportunities. Submit resume and work samples to work@r-barc.com with the position in the subject line.

The George Sollitt Construction Company shares a time-lapse video of the progress made on the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation at McHenry County College. Click here to view footage of the construction process from September 2024. To learn more about the McHenry County College project, click here.

The George Sollitt Construction Company shares a time-lapse video of the progress made on the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation at McHenry County College. Click here to view footage of the construction process from May 2024. To learn more about the McHenry County College project, click here.

The George Sollitt Construction Company shares a time-lapse video of the progress made on the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation at McHenry County College. Click here to view footage of the construction process from May 2024. To learn more about the McHenry County College project, click here.

Progress is being made on the Damen CTA Substation, located in the heart of the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago. The Substation takes inspiration from its neighboring historical buildings through the strong structural expression and new use of brick color. Click here to view photos of the construction process.