Schuler Shook

The new Northlight Theatre signage was installed this week at the theater’s future home in downtown Evanston. Exciting to see another major milestone come together as construction progresses! 🎭 #NorthlightTheatre #Evanston #Architecture #Construction

Amphitheatre season is here, and there’s nothing quite like live music under the open sky! Over the years we’ve seen the way amphitheatres reenergize and bring people together across generations and backgrounds. An outdoor performance space is never just a venue without a roof. They become a cultural touchpoints for communities, serving as a place to gather, unwind, and share unforgettable moments. That experience is at the core of designing these spaces for us. From programming studies and stage configuration to seating, sightlines, artist support, and equipment planning, every decision is about making performances feel effortless for audiences and for artists alike. And when design gets it right it doesn’t only support the show, it strengthens the community around it. @theshellsd at Jacobs Park 📍San Diego, CA | @tuckersadlerarchitects @ascend_amphitheater 📍Nashville, TN | Hodgetts + Fung Design / @Smithgeestudio / @Hawkinspartners Pritzker Pavilion at @millennium_park 📍Chicago, IL | Gehry Partners, LLP Scottsdale Civic Plaza 📍Scottsdale, AZ | @lakeflato John C. Dunham Pavilion at @riveredgeaurora 📍Aurora, IL | Muller2 @hotagc Outdoor Stage 📍Surfers Paradise, QLD | @armarchitecture @theorionamphitheater 📍Huntsville, AL | @mathenygoldmon / @dmsarchitects The Sound at @coachmanparkfl 📍Clearwater, FL | @stantec #Theatre #TheatrePlanning #Amphitheatre #PerformingArts #LiveShows #Concerts

Who knew a former Sears could shine this bright? The State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters in Springfield transforms a vacant big-box store into a vibrant, high-performance workplace centered on sustainability and smart design. By reusing the existing structure, the project cut down on waste and carbon while opening the building up to something it never had before: daylight. Lighting plays a central role in the transformation. Gone are the harsh fluorescents, replaced with soft, indirect LED illumination that works with the sun, not against it. Daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors keep energy use in check, while linear lighting details echo the architecture and bring a sense of clarity and rhythm to the space. Even outside, the design is thoughtful with low-glare, full cut-off fixtures that protect the night sky and the surrounding community. It’s proof that with a little creativity (and a lot of intention), yesterday’s retail box can become today’s sustainable workplace. This project was recently recognized by the @thelightingbureau 's Tesla Awards with a Special Citation for Adaptive Reuse of a Retail Building. Architect: @jgma_insta 📸: Angie McMonigal Photography #AdaptiveReuse #LightingDesign #Sustainability #LEED #Architecture

Schuler Shook is pleased to announce that four of the firm’s lighting design projects have been recognized by the National Lighting Bureau (NLB) with 2026 Tesla Awards honors. Check out the full announcement on our website (link in bio). Thank you to @thelightingbureau for the recognition and congratulations to our design teams: Award of Excellence: 222 N. LaSalle Lobby Renovation, Chicago, IL Designers: Giulio Pedota, IALD, CLD, IES, LC, LEED AP; Samantha Komber, Design IALD, LC; John Jacobsen, Design IALD, IES, LC Architect: @otjarchitects and @serendi_design Owner: @tishmanspeyer Award of Merit: Mosaic at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA Designers: Emily Klingensmith, IALD, CLD, IES, LC, LEED AP; Travis Shupe, Design IALD; John Jacobsen, Design IALD, IES, LC; Katelyn LeBorges (formerly with Schuler Shook) Architect: @gensler_design Award of Merit: Reverb HQ, Chicago, IL Designers: Emily Klingensmith, IALD, CLD, IES, LC, LEED AP; Travis Shupe, Design IALD; Scott Tobin, Member IALD; John Jacobsen, Design IALD, IES, LC Architect: Gensler Special Citation for Adaptive Reuse of a Retail Building: State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters, Springfield, IL Designers: Giulio Pedota, IALD, CLD, IES, LC, LEED AP; Samantha Komber, Design IALD, LC; John Jacobsen, Design IALD, IES, LC; Laura Roman, Jackson Pattermann (formerly with Schuler Shook) Architect: @jgma_insta

When people say "turn it up to Eleven", it's possible they're talking about this project... At 44 stories, Eleven is the tallest residential tower in Minneapolis, offering a luxury living experience right on the banks of the Mississippi River. Our team handled interior and exterior lighting design for all public areas of the new high-rise, including all public lobbies, fitness rooms, lounges, a golf simulator, and demonstration kitchen. The exterior scope included the tower, landscape, driveways, and amenity decks. Custom lighting fixtures, integrated lighting details and energy efficient LED systems are all part of the design, working to create a resident experience that is welcoming, warm, and elegant. Architect: @ryancompanies / @ramsarchitects

Safety, but make it fashion! Hard hats are a wardrobe essential in our industry, and our team has been hard at work practicing their model walks for upcoming site visits. While we don't recommend attempting these moves on theatre catwalks, we do recommend regularly inspecting your hard hats and ensuring they are within the expiration date. Safety is always on trend, and hard hats are never going out of style!

Schuler Shook Director Todd Hensley was interviewed by Chicago Architect as part of their “Behind the Screens” series highlighting members of the @aiachicago chapter. In the Q&A, Todd shares about getting his start at Lyric Opera, advances in sustainable performance environments, and the importance of equity when designing spaces meant to support diverse stories and artists. Check out the link in our bio to read the full article! 📸: Travis Frangie

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, our team shared the women, and the work by those women, that continue to shape and inspire us. Take a look at what has influenced our thinking, creativity, and perspective this month (& beyond!)

A black tie event? Say less, we're in. Last Thursday, Kimberly Corbett Oates, Patrick Knee, and Ben Schultz attended the Gala for Architecture at the historic Union Station in Dallas. Schuler Shook is proud to have been a Pillar Sponsor for this event, which benefits the good work The Architecture and Design Foundation is doing to provide educational resources, classes, and scholarships. Thanks to @dallasadex for a memorable evening and congratulations to the honorees!

A sleek, modern workplace designed for performance, comfort, and sustainability. This three-floor fit-out for Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP transformed an empty space into Chicago’s only law office with LEED Platinum certification. Schuler Shook's lighting design balances wellness and hospitality, highlighting architectural details while creating comfortable, visually quiet environments. From illuminated acoustic domes in the café to LEDs integrated into stair handrails, the lighting strategy enhances both aesthetics and functionality, supported by advanced controls that provide flexibility for everyday use. Architect: @gensler_design 📸: Tom Harris

Welcome home, @timelinetheatre ! It has been an honor to be a part of this project as theatre planners and lighting designers. The energy has been electric at every opening event, and we are so excited to see this vision come to fruition. Thank you for letting us dream with you. Congratulations to TimeLine Theatre Company, the City of Chicago, @hgaarchitects , @bulleyandrews1891 , @thresholdacoustics , and all the collaborators and supporters of this project. Check out the Chicago Tribune article about the lighting of the marquee at the link in our bio!

Happy World Theatre Day! From the first spark of an idea to the moment the lights rise, theatre is where creativity, craft, and community come together. Today we celebrate the artists, technicians, designers, and visionaries who bring stories to life, and the spaces that make those moments possible. We’re proud to help shape theatres that inspire connection, imagination, and unforgettable experiences. Here’s a look at some of the venues we’ve had the privilege of working on. Projects: The Theatre School at DePaul University | @pelliclarkeandpartners / @cannondesign 📍Chicago, IL Pablo Center at the Confluence | @steinberghart (Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture) / @stranginc 📍Eau Claire, WI University of Melbourne, New Student Precinct | @lyonsarchitecture 📍Melbourne, VIC Coppell Arts Center | @corganinc 📍Coppell, TX Lookingglass Theatre Company | @morrisarchitectsplanners 📍Chicago, IL Pantages Theatre | @hgaarchitects 📍Minneapolis, MN Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Visual and Performing Arts Center | @pbkarchitects 📍 Cypress, TX Sydney Lyric Theatre | @altis.architecture 📍 Sydney, NSW Columbia College Chicago | @gensler_design 📍Chicago, IL Plaza Theatre | @otjarchitects (Martinez + Johnson Architecture) 📍El Paso, TX American Players Theatre | @vjaarchitects 📍Spring Green, WI