--- title: "Wheeler Kearns Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wheeler-kearns-architects-pfvwus-pf~1258301290 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1258301290.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Wheeler Kearns Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/7363a9770f6d3838_4235-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "343 S Dearborn St #200, Chicago, Illinois 60604, United States" latitude: 41.8784 longitude: -87.633 phone: "(312) 939-7787" website: http://www.wkarch.com rating: 0 review_count: 0 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 569 last_updated: 2026-08-27 --- # Wheeler Kearns Architects Original Houzz profile: [Wheeler Kearns Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wheeler-kearns-architects-pfvwus-pf~1258301290) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Chicago - **Houzz rating:** 0.0 out of 5 (0 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2013–2017), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - 100,000 Ideabook Saves Our office is devoted to a critical pursuit and practice of architecture. We believe in the search for spaces which define a full, rich, and dignified way of life. Kept purposefully small, our office endeavors to focus attention on every detail throughout a project, no matter how small. Exercising this discipline is essential to the creation of Architecture. Relying on the participatory atmosphere of a studio, our process involves clients, engineers, consultants, and contractors in the development of structures which respond to desire, function and budget. After devoting our efforts to finding the "emotional center" of a project early on, we collaborate to develop solutions that reinforce it. Simple, direct solutions are held in high esteem. Our work ranges in scale and type; from the design of a door lever to a theater arts center for a college; from an elementary school to an indoor ice rink; from a children's museum to a painter's studio. Our work includes residences of various scales, programs, budgets for all walks of life. We remain committed to the optimistic pursuit of architecture in the design of buildings, interiors, landscapes, furniture, and urban design to ensure the realization of unified projects, regardless of their magnitude. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design ### Areas Served - Chicago ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Wheeler Kearns Architects | | Address | 343 S Dearborn St \#200, Chicago, Illinois 60604, United States | | Phone | (312) 939-7787 | | Website | http://www.wkarch.com | | Followers on Houzz | 569 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Wheeler Kearns Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wheeler-kearns-architects-pfvwus-pf~1258301290) - **Website:** http://www.wkarch.com - **Phone:** (312) 939-7787 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2013–2017), for Design. **Affiliations** - [AIA Chicago](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-chicago-pfvwus-pf~437317530) ## Selected projects - [Ravine House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ravine-house-pj-vj~5548449) - Location: Highland Park, IL - Photos: 17 - Description: Photography by Tom Rossiter - [St Joseph Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/st-joseph-beach-house-pj-vj~5548398) - Location: Saint Joseph, MI - Photos: 31 - Description: Photography by Steve Hall - Hall + Merrick Photographers - [Wicker Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wicker-park-residence-pj-vj~2100948) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 30 - [St. Joseph Residence I](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/st-joseph-residence-i-pj-vj~2654855) - Location: Saint Joseph, MI - Photos: 27 - Description: “In Search of Balance” Sited upon a coastal dune landscape, this residence seeks proportional balance. Balance between elemental exposure and domestic intimacy of prospect and refuge. Balance between the natural and the manmade (in landscape, form, material, to color, texture, furnishings.) Two cross axis are laid down over a long rolling site – one extending and connective; one short, straddling the crest. A vertical shaft of weathering steel (seemingly roofless) is placed to mark the crossing.… - [Residence for Two Collectors](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/residence-for-two-collectors-pj-vj~2324312) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - [Union Pier Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/union-pier-residence-pj-vj~2324267) - Location: Union Pier, MI - Photos: 11 - [Upper Jeptha Lake Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/upper-jeptha-lake-retreat-pj-vj~1818591) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 23 - Description: Located in Grand Junction Michigan, the project began as a humble weekend home renovation for a Chicago family and expanded over the years as use and time evolved. Sitting along Upper Jeptha Lake, the property includes a main house, guest house, garage/exercise room, pool and a boathouse that were built over the course of time. As the project began, everything was initially focused to the lake. Through the continuous development of program and building, opportunities were created to develop the… - [Timberlane Shores](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/timberlane-shores-pj-vj~1126661) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 21 - [Sun's End Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sun-s-end-retreat-pj-vj~772232) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: Tranquility and simplicity are at the core of this family retreat in Harbert Michigan. Overlooking Lake Michigan, the house is designed for a young family seeking respite from city living and immersion along the quiet beach. The site context strongly influenced the arrangement of the home. Challenged by the pronounced sloping topography and imposing neighboring house to the east, the design entails two shifting volumes that maximize southern exposure, and create a vertical “sun court.” The house… - [Lake Shore Drive Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-shore-drive-residence-pj-vj~831060) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 19 - [Hinsdale House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hinsdale-house-pj-vj~61943) - Location: Hinsdale, IL - Photos: 18 - Description: Situated on a suburban wooded lot, this house is pulled back from the road and rotated to visually diminish its presence and maximize its ideal exposure to the sun and protected views. A long, sawn-stone service bar rests on a concrete base, housing bedrooms above a garage and sports court. A distinct glass pavilion sits alongside the service bar, containing a two story living area. The pavilion expands out to the landscape through glass panels that pocket out of sight, leaving the living space… - [Ogden Dunes Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ogden-dunes-retreat-pj-vj~47057) - Location: Ogden Dunes, IN - Photos: 18 - Description: The project is located within a hilly dune landscape along Lake Michigan. The site borders a public beach access path to the north that allows the otherwise narrow lot to open up to more expansive views to the lake. Using a series of L-shaped stucco walls in a staggered configuration, privacy from the public path is defined allowing the southern face to open up to a private courtyard that the living spaces pinwheel around and receive natural light from. The walls function as insulated radiant ma… - [Northbrook House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/northbrook-house-pj-vj~41386) - Location: Northbrook, IL - Photos: 30 - Description: A house for an art collector, and a grandmother of many. An exposed corner lot called for a residence protected visually and acoustically from the street, and opening towards a protected landscape deep in. A modest house in stature and construction, it is defined by a central living/gallery, flanked by an "L" of more cellular/private functions. Conceptually a "radish", the exterior is skinned with visually quiet, durable 8 foot x 2 foot cement panels. Entry is made through a hidden, walled-in ex… - [Fire Lane Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fire-lane-retreat-pj-vj~44320) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: Designed as a year-round retreat for a Chicago family of six, the residence bridges a valley between two dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan. Siting of the structure was determined in large part by constraints as set forth by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality with its intent of protecting the dunes and construction amongst them. The family's desire was for a building which would immerse them in the landscape with expansive views of both the lake and land while inside… - [Lakeview Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lakeview-apartment-pj-vj~942330) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 22 - [Chicago Lake Shore Drive Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chicago-lake-shore-drive-apartment-pj-vj~78011) - Location: Chicago, IL - Photos: 12 - Description: Starting with an exposed concrete space in a Chicago high-rise and maneuvering around vertical chase-ways and relatively modest ceiling heights, our challenge was to create a free flowing and spatially diverse residence using tactile materials that would enhance the experience of the city and lake views and accommodate an ever changing art collection. The main public spaces flow between the southern exterior window wall with abundant natural light and an interior back lit wall that opens to a mu… - [Ambassador Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ambassador-residence-pj-vj~831246) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 19 - Description: Located in a former hotel this penthouse apartment, for a family of five, was designed to balance intimate spaces for family with social spaces for guests. The owner, an interior designer, wanted the architecture of the spaces to compliment the display of colorful artwork and furnishings. As a result, the architecture is a neutral container with a curved staircase that serves as the main architectural element and also connects the main living floor with the family room and terrace. Interiors: Br… - [Skybridge Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/skybridge-residence-pj-vj~831402) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - Description: This two-story residential unit on the 35th floor of a high rise in Chicago’s near-west side has unique views of the skyline and horizon line. Due East, foreground views of Chicago’s skyline. Due North and West, unobstructed views extending beyond the city limits to the horizon line. A single four-foot diameter concrete column supporting the building’s most prominent feature, the rooftop canopy, bisects the interior into two double-height volumes. Two different ceiling elements, an additive wood… - [Michigan Beachhouse kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/michigan-beachhouse-kitchen-pj-vj~52900) - Location: Lakeside, MI - Photos: 5 - Description: For this renovation of a Michigan beach house kitchen, we created a new entryway / passageway into the house so the lake view can be seen from the front door. We moved the kitchen counter and workspace to the other side of the room, created a pass-through and window to the screened porch and added a sliding door to the living room. The slider is sheathed in a piece of folk art, made of repurposed local woodwork and barn siding. The refrigerator is concealed behind millwork in the new passageway. - [Madron Lake - Retreat 1](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/madron-lake-retreat-1-pj-vj~50473) - Location: Buchanon, MI - Photos: 8 - Description: Sited just beyond the tree line where a stand of pine trees break and a meadow begins, a long platform is located to maximize the experience of these two simultaneous landscapes. Approached on foot through rows of mature pines, the building is elevated upon pilotis to minimize its impact on the site, visually and environmentally. Sharing roots with local Michiana pole barns, this economical structure of glue-laminated douglas fir bents, braces and decking are held above runoff and snow by galvan… [See all 33 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wheeler-kearns-architects-pfvwus-pf~1258301290) ## Ideabooks - [Inspirations/Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2038559/list/inspirations-ideas) — 7 ideas - [Wheeler House, Chicago](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2039686/list/wheeler-house-chicago) — 8 ideas [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/wheelerkearns) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the name of the grey stone you used on this project?** *(in Photo Questions)* It is fantastic A: Grey Stone: Krukowski Stone Company – Aqua Grantique **Q: Where did you get the artwork above the bed?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Interiors by Sherry Koppel Design: http://www.sherrykoppeldesign.com/ **Q: Joe Tevis** *(in Photo Questions)* What is this picture of? A: this is the a view from the front courtyard looking out to the front lawn **Q: Elevation Change in barrier Free Shower** *(in Photo Questions)* Do you have a slight elevation change at the shower entrance? It appears to be so or maybe it's just a shadow. JW A: Just a gentle slope **Q: bench** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi, Where did you purchase the bath bench or did you build it, and if so, what materials? How was the bench attached to the wall? A: It was built **Q: What type of hood is this? Brand and width? It is great... Tks, Ana** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It's by Best. Thanks! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-27.*