From Chicago’s skyline to beloved community landmarks, women architects have played a powerful role in shaping the spaces where we live, work, and gather and even if their contributions have often gone unrecognized. While just 27% of licensed architects today are women, the future looks bright with 43% of newly licensed architects now women. And in a city celebrated for architectural innovation, their impact is undeniable.
Here’s a look at five women whose vision has helped define Chicago and its North Shore.
Marion Mahony Griffin
Marion Mahony Griffin was Illinois’ first licensed female architect. A key player in the Prairie School movement, she worked alongside Frank Lloyd Wright for nearly 15 years, contributing to many of his most notable projects. She’s especially known for her stunning rendering of the K.C. DeRhodes House and, later, for influential projects in Australia and India with her husband, Walter Burley Griffin.
Jeanne Gang
Jeanne Gang, principal of Studio Gang, has transformed Chicago’s skyline with designs like the 82-story Aqua Tower and the 101-story St. Regis Chicago—both record-breakers as the tallest buildings in the world designed by a woman. Her North Shore work includes Glencoe’s Writers Theatre, a standout blend of architecture and community.
Carol Ross Barney
Carol Ross Barney has left a lasting mark on both downtown Chicago and local neighborhoods. From the Chicago Riverwalk to CTA stations and O’Hare’s Multi-Modal Terminal, her work reflects a deep connection to public spaces. She also designed the visitor center at Lincoln Park Zoo, a favorite destination for many North Shore families.
Jackie Koo
Founder of KOO, Jackie Koo is known for iconic hospitality and community-focused projects like theWit Hotel, Sable at Navy Pier, and the Altgeld Family Resource Center. Her designs aim to serve both visitors and local communities, strengthening connections across the city.
Gertrude Lempp Kerbis
A pioneer for women in architecture, Gertrude Lempp Kerbis launched her own firm in 1967 and helped design landmarks like the Skokie Public Library and O’Hare Airport’s rotunda. Beyond her design work, she championed women in the field, founding Chicago Women in Architecture and serving as the first female president of AIA Chicago.
These remarkable women have helped shape the built environment of Chicago and the North Shore, inspiring future generations to dream big and design boldly.
