Biography
Brian is a Principal and Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Chicago office, whose award-winning work deftly brings together the poetic and pragmatic sides of architecture. For nearly 30 years, he has inspired and led interdisciplinary teams in creating thoughtful, progressive design solutions for clients, institutions, and communities.
Recognized as one of the “50 people shaping design in Chicago,” Brian has led acclaimed projects, including the Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, the Columbia College Chicago Student Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. His work has earned over 100 local, national, and international design awards. A respected educator and speaker, Brian regularly serves as visiting faculty, lectures on design and leadership, and serves on advisory boards for the University of Illinois, Washington University in St. Louis, and the American Institute of Architects. In recognition of his transformative work, Columbia College Chicago awarded Brian an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts.
The most meaningful architecture artfully balances aspiration with reality. It should move people, work beautifully, and make a lasting contribution to its community.
Selected Projects
![[NEEDS INPUT: alt text]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/iexz7ctt/development/7baebfad9c81d7a40d20bc16a1f07942a65bd27e-8688x5792.tif)
![[NEEDS INPUT: alt text]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/iexz7ctt/development/5209107f91aecbe17df568e70a411e86b78ac576-5169x2904.tif)
Qualifications and Recognition
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Master of Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis
Registered Architect: Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa
AIA
LEED AP
Member, University of Illinois School of Architecture Advisory Board
Member, Washington University in St. Louis, Sam Fox School of Design National Council
Member, National AIA Practice Management Knowledge Community
Newcity Design 50 2026
Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Leader in Architecture, 2026
Distinguished Young Alumni Award and Award of Distinction, Washington University in St. Louis
Honorary Doctorate of the Arts, Columbia College Chicago
AIA National Young Architect Award
Speaker, Bisnow State of the Market, 2025
Keynote Commencement Speaker, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture
Design Instructor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Board Member, Washington D.C. YMCA