UrbanWorks promoted Maria Pellot to Principal, Jose Esquinca to Associate Design Director, and EJ Fernandez to Studio Director! We celebrate their talent, leadership qualities, and collective impact on the firm. Learn more about these exceptional architects and designers in their bio links below the fold.
On Saturday, October 12, UrbanWorks, along with UIC staff, students, and donors celebrated at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the College of Nursing’s new Experiential Learning and Simulation Laboratory.
Starting with a staff of three in 1993, UrbanWorks enters its 25th year invigorated for the future. We have designed thousands of units of housing, millions of square feet of buildings of every type, planned communities, and brought our socially and environmentally responsible designs to clients in both the public and private sectors. Our designs have won dozens of awards. We are proud of the more than 80 staff members and interns who have been part of the UrbanWorks team over our 25 year history. To celebrate this milestone, we have a new logo designed by Liska & Associates, creatively designed 25 year Anniversary swag, and a new home in Chicago’s loop at 125 S Clark Street, Suite 2070. Thank you for being a part of our quarter century in Architecture, Interiors and Planning. And now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some buildings to design.
UrbanWorks has been named Member of the Month for April 2017 by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA). HACIA “works to ensure the equitable participation of its constituents in the construction industry,” with a focus on Minority and Female-owned firms, “while also promoting the growth, quality of work, professionalism and integrity of these individuals and businesses.” As part of this honor, Patricia Saldaña Natke, UrbanWorks’ Design Principal, will be recognized at HACIA’s monthly meeting in April. Juan Calahorrano, HACIA’s Director of Operations, released in a statement that HACIA “is proud to recognize UrbanWorks Ltd; an HACIA member since 1998, in its April 2017 Membership Meeting. HACIA recognizes the hard work, determination and contribution that UrbanWorks and its Principal Patricia Saldaña Natke AIA have made to HACIA and the construction community through the years.” Read more
UrbanWorks’ design for Concordia Day Ravenswood was unveiled today at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 6,000 square foot childcare center. Located in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood, the market-rate center intends to use its net revenue to underwrite subsidized programs at its other locations. Design features include classrooms that mimic a field of daisies, low height partitions between learning spaces, and acoustic ceiling panels which provide acoustical control between spaces as well referencing the petals of a flower. The project has also been featured in recent articles in The Chicago Sun Times as well as Crain’s Chicago Business.
UrbanWorks, POAH, and the Joseph J. Duffy Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony for Trianon Lofts on July 21, 2016. This four-story, $12.8 million mixed-use development located in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, will include 24 market-rate apartments, sitting atop 7,000 square feet of commercial space currently rented out by Lela’s Land of Learning Child Care Center. Above the first floor’s storefront glazing, a subtly patterned rainscreen-clad façade, inspired by the traditional masonry buildings typical of the area, will harmonize with its surroundings while offering a brightly contemporary look for its occupants. Construction is estimated to be completed in September, 2017. The project has also been featured in recent articles in Chicago Tribune and DNAinfo.
On Flag Day, Tuesday June 14th, 2016 A Safe Haven will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the UrbanWorks-designed Melrose Park Veteran Village in Melrose Park, Illinois. The event will take place between 10:00am and 12:00pm. Local stakeholders and community members are invited to RSVP and join in this celebratory event. A Safe Haven Veteran Village provides 35 dwelling units for veterans and their families as well as an on-site Management Office and Tot Lot for children to play. This project will mark A Safe Haven’s 40th related housing development across the Chicagoland area.
The UrbanWorks designed Life Changers International Church’s city campus officially opened on November 22, 2015. Set in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, this is Life Changers’ first urban spiritual center. The church chose this location to serve a need for contemplative and communal spaces in a dense urban environment and to secure its place as one of the most unique multicultural churches in America. The project is an adaptive reuse of an originally windowless, two story 63,000 square foot cold storage facility into an 870 person auditorium/worship center, with pre-function space, classrooms, and meeting spaces.
The greatly anticipated project will transform seven buildings on the 2700 Block of West Division Street, including the former site of Ashland Sausage Company—vacant since 2005—into the first-ever cultural building in Chicago with a holistic focus on providing live/work space and promoting the talents of local artists in various media. The building will offer 15 live/work residences for artists and their families; a 99 seat multi-media theater with film, theatre, and concert performances; and a nearly 3,000 square foot art gallery with a retail component allowing resident and local artists to sell their artworks. A piano lounge showcasing wines from Latin America and spirits from the Caribbean will become an anchor for nightlife on the Paseo Boricua corridor. Read more
UrbanWorks’ and Populous’ designed UICs Curtis Granderson Stadium officially opened on April 17, 2014. Granderson, a Flames Hall of Famer and current New York Mets outfielder was present to throw the first pitch. Granderson’s gift of $5 million to UIC is the largest one-time donation from a professional athlete to their alma mater. The new ball bark has total capacity of 1,784 seats, a press box, media suite, training room, team room, and two outdoor turf practice fields.
