Ross Barney Architects

Ross Barney Architects, led by AIA Gold Medal recipient Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, has completed the McHenry County College Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, and was recently featured in Architectural Record.⁠ ⁠⁠ A single, flexible hub unites technical programs with hybrid-learning environments built for real workforce needs.⁠ ⁠ High-impact, low-carbon, and on track for LEED Gold, the center powers the future of advanced manufacturing, robotics, welding, digital media, and more.⁠ ⁠ Bold, forward-looking design—delivered on a real-world budget.⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio for the article and make sure to check out our website for more on this project!⁠ ⁠ 📸: Kendall McCaugherty, Hall+Merrick+McCaugherty Photographers

Ross Barney Architects celebrates the life and legacy of Fred Anzevino, Founder and Artistic Director of Theo Ubique Theater for over 27 years. Fred’s passion for theater and remarkable creative journey—from studying in George Washington University’s MFA Acting Program to directing award-winning productions like Cabaret and Evita—inspired everyone who knew him.⁠ We are proud to have designed the Howard Street Theater, home to the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Evanston, IL—now newly dedicated as The Fred Anzevino Theatre.⁠ ⁠ “Fred could turn ten square feet and a handful of brave souls into a full-blown musical.”⁠ — Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, Founder and Design Principal⁠ ⁠ “Fred brought great energy to every design and construction meeting—he was a joy to work with.”⁠ — Krista Simons Gliva, AIA, Principal⁠

Ross Barney Architects has always advocated for quality design that serves the people of Chicago, and the Auburn Gresham Apartments are a thriving addition to the community with light-filled and connected spaces.⁠ ⁠ “It has been a privilege to collaborate with the Auburn Gresham community to bring this project to reality. Our dedicated team, including Nia Architects (@niaarch ), alongside lead developers @EvergreenRealEstateGroup and Imagine Group, worked to create transformative new homes for the community," said Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, Founder and Design Principal of Ross Barney Architects.⁠ ⁠ To see more photos and learn about the project, click the link in bio.⁠ ⁠ 📸: Kendall McCaugherty, Hall+Merrick+McCaugherty Photographers⁠

Common Chicago is an exhibition that is part of the 2025 @ChicagoArchitectureBiennial and will showcase twenty projects that put community at its center. The projects focus on different programmatic needs, including housing, civic, institutional, and open space. ⁠ ⁠ Created by Ross Barney Architects, Lena Reiff, and Simon Peschong, the Chicago Riverwalk is presented in a reimagined model image, celebrating this activated, civic space in the heart of Chicago.⁠ ⁠ The exhibition will take place at the @MASContext Reading Room, 1564 North Damen Avenue, Suite 204, Chicago, Illinois 60622, with an opening reception this Friday, September 19, 5-7 pm⁠ ⁠ Join our colleagues from Chicago-based studios that have reimagined a ‘shared present and future’. You won’t want to miss this, and it’s free with no need to RSVP! Click the link in bio for more information.

Carol Ross Barney Day, observed on September 14th, 2025, is a special occasion proclaimed by the City of Chicago to celebrate Carol Ross Barney in recognition of her receiving the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, as well as her nearly five decades of inspiring design, dedicated service to the architecture community, and significant contributions to our built environment.⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to learn more about the history and career of Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, the 2023 AIA Gold Medal Recipient. ⁠ ⁠ 📜City of Chicago Carol Ross Barney Day Proclamation⁠ 🚤 Chicago Riverwalk⁠ 🍟McDonald's Global Flagships, Chicago and Disney World⁠ 🦁Lincoln Park Zoo Searle Visitor's Center⁠ 🏢 Oklahoma City Federal Building⁠ 🛝Railyard Park⁠ 🚆 CTA Cermak-McCormick Place Station⁠ 🏫 Little Village Academy⁠ 📚️ Champaign Public Library

Built on the concrete remains of the century-old Bloomingdale Line—an abandoned industrial structure—the 606 has become a vibrant rails-to-trails destination, celebrating 10 years.🎉⁠ ⁠ In 2012, architect Carol Ross Barney of Ross Barney Architects led community engagement that produced the Bloomingdale Trail and Park Framework Design Plan and contained the basic design for the 2.7-mile park. Brooklyn-based landscape architect @michael.van.valkenburgh later refined the design, and the park opened in 2015.⁠ ⁠ This week, The 606 marks its 10th anniversary. During planning, community members raised concerns about gentrification and displacement. Barney recalls: “One of the main issues was the disparity in income and amenities between the west and east sides of the trail. We aimed to design a space that brought neighborhoods together.” She adds, “Architecture, planning, and landscape architecture are vital, but they don’t solve social issues alone.”⁠ ⁠ Edward Keegan of the @chicagotribune notes: “There was nothing obvious about this old Bloomingdale Line that led to its revival as a park. Yet, many residents recognized its potential and dedicated years of effort, now rewarded with its enduring beauty.”⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to read the column by the Chicago Tribune 📰⁠

Ross Barney Architects has been ranked 46th on Architizer’s list of the top 100 Architecture firms in the United States. We are honored to be recognized for our meaningful contributions to the built environment through innovative and sustainable design solutions. 🌏️⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to read the full list on the @Architizer website.⁠ ⁠ 📷️: Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation | Kendall McCaugherty, Hall + Merrick + McCaugherty Photographers

Joining colleagues from across the nation and continent, Ross Barney Architects was honored as a “Best of Practice” honorable mention in the Medium firm, Midwest category, by the Architect's Newspaper for the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation at McHenry County College.⁠ ⁠ We believe that public buildings and spaces should inspire and uplift, fostering health, sustainability, and social equity. Our vision is clear: to design environments that empower individuals and communities. We believe that the places we inhabit should enable everyone to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. Shaping our environment is a shared responsibility, and together, we have the power to forge a radically sustainable future. 🌍️♻️⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to read more about the @archpaper 2025 Best of Practice Awards.⁠ 📷️: Kendall McCaugherty, Hall + Merrick + McCaugherty Photographers

Ross Barney Architects honors the importance and beauty of light in our designs on the summer solstice. Enjoy the sunshine and the season! ☀️⁠ ⁠ 🧊 The Ohio State University, South Campus Chiller, LEED Silver Certified⁠ ✈️ Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Multi Modal Terminal, LEED Silver Certified ⁠ 🍟 McDonald's Chicago Flagship, LEED Platinum Certified⁠ 🛶 Chicago Riverwalk⁠ ⁠ 📷: Brad Feinknopf @Feinknopf , Kendall McCaugherty @kendallaileen @hallmerrickphoto , @_Kate_Joyce

Ross Bar­ney Archi­tects is pleased to announce that our trans­for­ma­tive project, Rai­l­yard Park in Rogers, Arkansas, has been hon­ored with a Spe­cial Men­tion in the pres­ti­gious ULI Amer­i­c­as Awards for Excel­lence! 🎉This recog­ni­tion under­scores the excep­tion­al design vision and inno­va­tion embed­ded in this com­mu­ni­ty-enhanc­ing space. 🚂🛝⁠ ⁠ “With the City of Rogers, Arkansas, we designed a vision­ary space that blends inno­v­a­tive forms with ground­break­ing mate­ri­als and ver­sa­tile uses,” stat­ed Car­ol Ross Bar­ney, FAIA, HASLA, Founder and Design Prin­ci­pal of Ross Bar­ney Architects.⁠ ⁠ ULI, the world’s lead­ing net­work of mul­ti­dis­ci­pli­nary real estate and land use pro­fes­sion­als, has cel­e­brat­ed excel­lence in devel­op­ment through these esteemed annu­al awards, spot­light­ing projects that set new stan­dards across pri­vate, pub­lic, and non­prof­it sectors.⁠ ⁠ Click the link in bio to learn more about the ULI Americas Awards for Excellence and Railyard Park.⁠ ⁠ 📷️: Kerri McMahon, Courtesy of Walton Family Foundation

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 the link in bio to learn more about the proposed Chicago Riverpark.

Ross Barney Architects is an @Architizer A+Awards finalist! Please vote for the @NASAGlenn Aerospace Communications Facility 🛰️ in the Government and Civic Buildings category by following the link in bio. 🗳️✔️⁠ ⁠ We are one of five worldwide competing for the Popular Choice Award, and voting is from today, Monday, May 5 to May 16 ⏳️please vote—you can submit one vote per category every 24 hours!⁠ ⁠ Architizer A+ Award celebrates the world's best architecture by fostering appreciation for meaningful design and championing positive impact, and is shared globally with over 400 million.⁠ ⁠ Jurors included industry leaders: @kongjianyu_turenscape , @EvelynLee (@PracticeOfArch ), @Philippe_Block @(ETHZurich), James Corner (@FieldOperations ), and @JhaDAmazi (@MASSDesignGroup ), as well as luminaries from beyond architecture like @HansUlrichObrist (@SerpentineUK ), @IsmailSeleit (AI influencer), and @IleneShaw (@NYCxDesign ).⁠ ⁠ 📸 @kendallaileen @hallmerrickphoto