--- title: "Searl Lamaster Howe Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/searl-lamaster-howe-architects-pfvwus-pf~1166111029 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1166111029.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Searl Lamaster Howe Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9ab33f4709f218c3_2255-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "500 N. Dearborn, Suite 150, Chicago, Illinois 60654, United States" latitude: 41.8923 longitude: -87.6373 phone: "(312) 251-9200" website: http://www.searlarch.com rating: 5 review_count: 8 best_of_houzz_awards: 12 followers: 478 last_updated: 2026-08-24 --- # Searl Lamaster Howe Architects Original Houzz profile: [Searl Lamaster Howe Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/searl-lamaster-howe-architects-pfvwus-pf~1166111029) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Chicago, Evanston, Palatine, Oak Park, Downers Grove, Glenview, Northbrook, Highland Park, Wilmette, Lake Forest, Lincolnwood, Winnetka, River Forest, Riverside, Glencoe, Kenilworth, Asheville, Aspen, Bal Harbour Florida, Buchanan Michigan, Door County Wisconsin, Harbert Michigan, Harbor Country Michigan, Jones Michigan, Lake Geneva Wisconsin, London, Los Angeles, Madison Wisconsin, Miami Floriday, Milwaukee, Ogden Utah, Postosi Wisconsin, Traverse City Michigan - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (8 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 12 awards (2012–2026), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves We are committed to realizing inspiring spaces for people who value where they live, work, play, and learn. Intense collaboration at each step of the design and construction process is key to the remarkable diversity and quality of the office's work. A project's aesthetic is informed by a detailed study of program, context, technology, and budget. The studio shares a commitment to creativity, innovation, sustainability, detail, and materiality. The firm portfolio includes commercial, residential, and institutional projects that range from master planning to renovations to restorations to new construction. The office is a certified Female Business Enterprise (FBE) at the state level; it also holds Women Business Enterprise (WBE) status in Chicago, its home base. The firm works nationally and abroad yet prides itself on a hands-on approach to each project. We listen to your needs and concerns, help translate them into a vision, and then assemble the resources to make that vision a reality. We take your project from initial conception through construction administration and occupancy support. Our work begins and ends with you. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Drafting - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Barn Design & Construction - Mudroom Design - Basement Design - Tiny House Construction - Staircase Design - Garage Design - Landscape Plans - Laundry Room Design - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Earthquake Retrofitting - Home Gym Design & Construction - Rooftop Deck Installation - Dock Design & Construction - Custom Home ### Areas Served - Chicago - Evanston - Palatine - Oak Park - Downers Grove - Glenview - Northbrook - Highland Park - Wilmette - Lake Forest - Lincolnwood - Winnetka - River Forest - Riverside - Glencoe - Kenilworth - Asheville - Aspen - Bal Harbour Florida - Buchanan Michigan - Door County Wisconsin - Harbert Michigan - Harbor Country Michigan - Jones Michigan - Lake Geneva Wisconsin - London - Los Angeles - Madison Wisconsin - Miami Floriday - Milwaukee - Ogden Utah - Postosi Wisconsin - Traverse City Michigan ### Typical Job Cost $300,000 - 10 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Searl Lamaster Howe Architects | | Address | 500 N. Dearborn, Suite 150, Chicago, Illinois 60654, United States | | Phone | (312) 251-9200 | | Website | http://www.searlarch.com | | License Number | 001.019919 | | Followers on Houzz | 478 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — instagram.com/searlamasterhowe - Blog — www.searlarch.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Searl Lamaster Howe Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/searl-lamaster-howe-architects-pfvwus-pf~1166111029) - **Website:** http://www.searlarch.com - **Phone:** (312) 251-9200 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AWARDS - AIA Chicago Distinguished Building - AIA Chicago Int Arch - Custom Home Grand Design - AIA Small Project - Builders Choice - AIA CA Honor - AD100 - Nat’l AIA Int. Architecture - Custom Home - Kenilworth Preservation - Record Houses - Illinois Masonry Institute - Evanston Preservation - **Best of Houzz:** 12 awards (2012–2026), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [AIA Custom Residential Architects Network](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-custom-residential-architects-network-pfvwus-pf~629398549) - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [AIA Wisconsin](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-wisconsin-pfvwus-pf~2013700903) - [Illinois Green Alliance](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/illinois-green-alliance-pfvwus-pf~973972130) - [AIA Chicago](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-chicago-pfvwus-pf~437317530) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [AIA Orlando](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-orlando-pfvwus-pf~563226635) - [AIA Indiana](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-indiana-pfvwus-pf~664120380) - [AIA Michigan](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-michigan-pfvwus-pf~815212607) - [ASID Illinois](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/asid-illinois-pfvwus-pf~1201172768) - [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658) - [IIDA Illinois Chapter](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/iida-illinois-chapter-pfvwus-pf~757198641) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 8 reviews** ### All 8 reviews **★★★★★ — biziosd, Aug. 2016** > I used Searl Lamaster Howe (Greg Howe and Ross Holden) for a full gut-job renovation of my condo. I cannot begin to express the level of joy and satisfaction these guys have given me - my home is beyond what I had ever hoped for! The detail in their work is eye catching and the time they spent making sure every item was perfect put me at ease over the past year of working with them. I think it's rare for someone to be able to say their home is a work of art that is meant to be appreciated, but that is truly how I feel every time I walk through the front door. It is modern, yet comfortable... I was given tons of beautifully designed storage space yet they were able to open up each room... They lengthened my hallway by playing around with door frames... The lighting is not just functional but creative... The list goes on and on. > My in-laws also needed a quick move into a new condo last month, and again we hired Searl Lamaster Howe (Ross Holden) to do the job. Ross treated their home as if he were helping his own parents with an urgent move-in. The style in their condo is much different than mine, and Ross did an A+ job in giving them exactly what they wanted. > I cannot say enough about how great this team is to work with. They definitely know how to build long lasting relationships... Looking forward to future projects with them! **★★★★★ — jrmaggiore, March 2016** > We hired Searl Lamaster Howe Architects to design our new garage and rooftop deck in the city of Chicago. It’s hard to imagine more talented, dependable, and personable architects. From the very beginning, Greg Howe and Ross Holden were a pleasure to work with and showed amazing dedication throughout the whole project, especially when dealing with the new zoning rules. They thoroughly listened to what we wanted, and managed to incorporate all of our needs into a creative and beautiful design. We give Greg and SLH Architects our highest possible recommendation. **★★★★★ — MGM interiors, March 2016** > Even as an Interior Designer like myself, the process of finding the right Architect for any project can truly be a shot in the dark. My husband and I were very fortunate to have just finished an extensive 3 yr reno on a house we designed and built over 20 yrs ago. We enlisted Greg Howe from SEARL- LAMASTER-HOWE ARCHITECTS to execute our plan. Greg and Ross Holden, the project manager, were both very attentive to every detail on "each" of our wish lists. They considered all of our needs and concerns and executed everything to the very end. They are both highly professional,competent ,creative, and attentive. The end results were even beyond my own expectations (not easy to accomplish) ! Sleepless nights you will not have with SLH ARCHITECTS at the helm. Mary Gesualdo Mauro > MGM INTERIORS, Lake Forest,Il **★★★★★ — njudanews, March 2016** > We hired Searl Lamaster Howe to combine two units in a Mies van der Rohe building for us. Our intention was to create our new home in a way that was respectful of Mies while being contemporary, playful, and beautiful. Pam Lamaster was the lead architect on the project, and the whole office worked on it. One of the big challenges in this building is how close the sister building is to one side of our apartment. They came up with a brilliant floor plan which maximizes our space and gives us a little buffer from the neighbors. From our first meeting with them through the celebration of completing the project, we experienced that we had an amazing team. They provided an unbeatable combination of listening to us and hearing what we wanted even when we couldn’t articulate it while providing their creativity and expertise. It was a joy to create with them. And still today I walk around our wonderful apartment struck by how well they heard and understood us. **★★★★★ — Nadim, Oct. 2015** > Greg Howe and the entire team at Searl Lamaster Howe are very talented and attentive to detail. He considers not only beauty in design but functionality. Greg thinks of every detail from how light fills a space to the flow of living in the home. We have been living in our home for over a year and still appreciate on a daily basis the small, intricate details he created. Greg and his team are kind and caring and make every effort to fulfill the vision of the homeowner. He is one of the hardest working people we have ever met and is accessible seemingly always! We really enjoyed working with Greg who brought humor, professionalism and amazing talent to every meeting. When you build a home, you spend a lot of time with your architect- he was a pleasure to work with and problem solved every issue that arose during the building process. It was so evident to us how much he cares about doing the best job possible. The firm uses some of the newest technology (3D computer renditions) that helped us visualize the home during the design phase. If we ever build a home again, we would not hesitate for even a second to work with Sear Lamaster Howe. **★★★★★ — abednyak, Oct. 2015** > I have had the pleasure of working with SLH on both sides of the fence - as a client myself and representing clients as an interior designer. They are spectacular to work with. Great at listening to clients needs and translating them into their projects. Incredibly knowledgable + savvy. I appreciate their desire to push the design envelope so-to-speak by thinking outside of the box and creating timeless, not trendy design. Overall, very positive experience would highly recco! **★★★★★ — Chris Hultquist, Oct. 2015** > I can not speak highly enough of SLM. We had the pleasure of working with both Linda Searl and our lead architect Greg Howe during our project. Greg's ability to listen with intent, guide with decorum, and present both thoughtful and practical solutions created an environment of excitement and enjoyment, while remaining purposeful and on-task. Greg Howe delivered a home we proud to own, and delighted to share. Having worked with several architects over many years I can say SLM, and specifically Greg Howe, is the tip of the pyramid and I would consider no other firm for our next project. **★★★★★ — Ed Hirschland, Oct. 2015** > Searl Lamaster Howe is a firm that genuinely listens to the client. The project was a true collaboration, and the results astonishing. The architects are responsive, responsible and super-creative. They took a rundown country house and, essentially maintaining the footprint of the original home, turned it into something splendid at reasonable cost. SLH's attention to detail (e.g. custom cabinetry), use of ecologically sensitive materials, and thoughtful consideration of ongoing operating costs (e.g. geothermal heat and A/C) have contributed to a resounding success. The client is ecstatic, and the project has been recognized by numerous awards from the American Institute of Architects and others, as well as publicity in national newspapers and journals. The architects are a pleasure to work with. Recommended without reservation. Photos are on the houzz.com website. ## Selected projects - [Blufftop](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/blufftop-pj-vj~7717446) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 11 - Description: The design of this recently completed lakefront home confronts and embraces a series of stark contrasts. While grand in concept, intimately scaled details and spaces define its DNA. What might be at risk of monumentality was designed to be innately humane. Upon stepping foot inside the main entry, intersecting east-west and north-south paths of circulation establish a sense of order and comprehension. That rigor is then relaxed and blurred. Walls and doors amongst the public areas are limited to… - [Huron Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/huron-residence-pj-vj~7806931) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 12 - [Prairie Road Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/prairie-road-retreat-pj-vj~7717521) - Location: Three Oaks, MI - Photos: 14 - Description: Described by the client as a “luxe state park,” this family retreat is tucked within an enclave of trees and natural plantings in southwest Michigan. A winding gravel drive opens to a clearing of low structures that extend into the landscape. Corrugated hip roofs, cut at offset angles with crisp, minimal eaves, give the home an appearance both dynamic and grounded in its setting. An open carport, which doubles as a dining pavilion, emulates the same forms as the main house and anchors the drivin… - [Oakley Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oakley-residence-pj-vj~7806457) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 11 - [Lawless Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lawless-retreat-pj-vj~6107538) - Location: Jones, MI - Photos: 18 - Description: The clients had searched five years across four states to find a site for their weekend home that spoke to them. This retreat was to be everything that their Chicago residence - a lofted space nestled within the attic trusses of a converted church – was not. The loft is in the heart of the bustling Wicker Park neighborhood; they sought serenity and a slower pace. The loft features a highly curated collection of sleek European contemporary furnishings; they were inspired by the idea of a sanctuar… - [Wasatch Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wasatch-residence-pj-vj~7373003) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 25 - Description: This site is positioned within the heart of a reasonably dense residential neighborhood in Ogden, Utah yet just a couple of blocks away from the base of the Wasatch Mountain Range. Opening the house to these views while maintaining privacy from nearby structures was a driving force in the design. Windows stretch from the kitchen, through the dining room and wrap two sides of the living room. The living room’s corner window and upturned ceiling open onto the rear yard and beyond to the mountains… - [Gregory House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gregory-house-pj-vj~2939115) - Location: Wilmette, IL - Photos: 16 - Description: The clients are avid horticulturists which led to a four-year search for a site with ideal growing conditions. The design of this 2,100 square foot Wilmette house is a direct response to this passion. A 29-foot span of glass along the south side of the house opens directly onto the back garden. An extension of the house's walls and roof shelters this façade from direct sunlight during the summer and neighbor views year-round. Opening the interior of the house as much as possible to the rear yard… - [Haas Valley Farm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/haas-valley-farm-pj-vj~6499633) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Tall and thin, the Haas Valley Farm Residence perches on its site which is centered in the Driftless Area, a small pocket of the Midwest so named because the glaciers skipped over the region, leaving a surprising landscape of rolling hills and deep valleys bisected by the Mississippi River. The weekend getaway's long and linear exterior stretches across a meadow offering views down to Grant River on one side and up to a limestone crested ridge on the other. The house’s form is simple yet jogs an… - [Lincoln Square Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lincoln-square-residence-pj-vj~1676675) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 14 - Description: The defining characteristic of this house is its contextual responsiveness. While contemporary in expression, it relates to its Lincoln Square location in a number of ways. Its scale aligns with the surrounding century-old houses. The generous front porch repeats a common detail of the block and serves as a spot to hang and out socialize with neighbors. The exterior’s board and batten siding was inspired by the wood cladding of other frame houses in the district. While the site had many advantag… - [Asbury Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/asbury-residence-pj-vj~1058111) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: This house for a newlywed couple represents a melding of cultures, time periods, materials and ideas about defining space. Housed within a historic district bordering Evanston’s city center, the stucco clad house presents a stately street face which is contrasted with the more informal and private courtyard that the house wraps around. Traditional architectural forms are reinterpreted to instill a modern spirit in the house, the end goal being a house that is clearly of its age while respecting… - [Harbert Cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/harbert-cottage-pj-vj~666727) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: A desire to clearly express the beauty of simple honest construction and basic materials characterizes this gut renovation of a 1950s ranch house in a lakeside Michigan community. Exposed wood trusses, polished concrete floors, zinc coated walls and roofing, galvanized metal grating, and white stucco are offset by crimson red casement windows. A screened porch - the epicenter of this summer home - distinguishes the street side facade and provides a direct connection to the gardens surrounding th… - [Buchanan River House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/buchanan-river-house-pj-vj~7372978) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - Description: This rural retreat along the shores of the St. Joe River embraces the many voices of a close-knit extended family. While contemporary in form - a nod to the older generation’s leanings - the house is built from traditional, rustic, and resilient elements such as a rough-hewn cedar shake roof, locally mined granite, and old-growth fir beams. The house’s east footprint parallels the bluff edge. The low ceilings of a pair of sitting areas help frame views downward to the waterline thirty feet below… - [Pearson 2.0](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pearson-2-0-pj-vj~6498399) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: The design of this home was directly shaped by the challenges and opportunities afforded by the combination of two separate apartments in a high-rise near the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, each with exceptional lake and city views and generous outdoor spaces. Six years ago and ten floors away in the same building, SLH designed the clients’ previous residence. An expanded family and a change in lifestyle in which the husband was increasingly working from home, prompted the need for a new ho… - [1212 LSD](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/1212-lsd-pj-vj~6498316) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 10 - [Water Tower Two](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-tower-two-pj-vj~6499436) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: This corner unit at the Ritz Carlton Residences serves as a weekend city getaway. A restrained color palette is articulated by unique and custom details in the millwork and materials. Intended for entertaining, recessed hardware and flush panels lead from a formal entry to the main living area. A layered sequence of anti-rooms encloses the powder room, while a hidden pantry and laundry keep the open kitchen minimal and serene. A generous bathroom for the primary suite was created from separate h… - [Water Tower One](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-tower-one-pj-vj~6499420) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Searl Lamaster Howe was commissioned to design the refurbishment of these two 3-bedroom units at the Ritz Carlton Residences. Both units feature a sophisticated palette of materials anchored by dark ash floors. The plans, each a mirror image of the other, were given distinct variations including a home office in the south facing unit, and a media room opening to the main living space with glass doors in the north facing unit. These two units were developed with Jameson Sotheby’s International Re… - [Loyola Avenue](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/loyola-avenue-pj-vj~6499671) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: When our client, Laramar Group, acquired a vintage apartment building bordering Loyola University, just steps from Lake Michigan, updates had not been done in many years. They wanted to freshen up the look of the common spaces, and create additional amenity space out of underutilized back of house areas. Remodeling work occurred on both the ground floor and top level of the building, with a strong desire to maintain the building’s ornamental and vintage details along the way. Work on the ground… - [Algoma Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/algoma-retreat-pj-vj~3285) - Location: Algoma, WI - Photos: 20 - Description: This contemporary cottage in Wisconsin is situated on a wooded bluff with views of Lake Michigan. The design has a strong focus on sustainability which is reflected is many aspects of the house including geothermal heating, reclaimed wood floors, and Richlite counters. Materials such as the rubber tile roofing and cement board siding were chosen for their longevity. The plan of the house is a split level to take advantage of the existing topography and separate the guest rooms from the living ar… - [Pearson Street Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pearson-street-residence-pj-vj~361877) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Although in a new, well-located building, this apartment started life marked by a jumbled layout and a set of finishes and details lacking character and finesse. The new homeowner craved a distinctive, refined, and welcoming place to hang his hat and comfortably entertain. The basic configuration of the apartment has been kept with the exception of a handful of critical architectural moves. A telescoping series of sleek sliding doors replaces a solid wall that isolated the study from the main li… - [Belgium Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/belgium-retreat-pj-vj~6793) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: An eight-acre site on the shores of Lake Michigan offers the ideal locale for this new vacation home. The house's design is evocative of classic resort architecture while its Dutch gambrel roofs allude to the barns that populate this area of southern Wisconsin. These traditional forms are modernized with a play of proportions in the windows and the paring down of details both inside and out. Clearly contemporary elements such as huge expanses of glass and minimalist fixtures and fittings are jux… [See all 26 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/searl-lamaster-howe-architects-pfvwus-pf~1166111029) ## Community Q&A **Q: Where can I get this fireplace?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the brand of the fireplace? A: FV34 by Mendota **Q: love the color of cement board** *(in Photo Questions)* What stain or paint is the cement board siding? A: It is Obsidian Black from Jame Hardie. Afraid though that it is no longer available. **Q: Where did you purchase your floating vanity?** *(in Photo Questions)* Love the clean look and are looking for something similar for our bathroom remodel. A: Stone Source LLC **Q: What brand/color are the gray walls? Perfect with the wood & metals!** *(in Photo Questions)* Diy cabin, using similar wood color, black iron accents. Having difficulty finding a grey that works for the wall color. Lawless Retreat is absolutely welcoming! A: Thanks for the kind words. Afraid that there is no actual gray finish in this image. The wall on the left is white, the cabinetry on the right is a deep green. Gray is simply a result of how light hits the wall. **Q: where did you get the large photo above the bed?** *(in Photo Questions)* where did you get the large photo above the bed? A: It is a painting by a Chicago artist **Q: Who is the Photographer?** *(in Photo Questions)* Who is the photographer of this lovely photo? A: Tony Soluri --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-24.*