--- title: "James Michael Vanderheyden — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/james-michael-vanderheyden-pfvwus-pf~59089050 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~59089050.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "James Michael Vanderheyden" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e61316e603ffe8e1_7756-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "627 Ritter Drive, Batavia, Illinois 60510, United States" latitude: 41.8482 longitude: -88.3098 phone: "(708) 278-2891" website: http://www.architecturaldynamics.net rating: 5 review_count: 6 followers: 50 last_updated: 2026-11-06 --- # James Michael Vanderheyden Original Houzz profile: [James Michael Vanderheyden](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/james-michael-vanderheyden-pfvwus-pf~59089050) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Batavia, IL - **Serves:** Aurora, Fox Valley, Naperville, Oak Park, Saint Charles, Batavia, Geneva, Warrenville, River Forest - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves - High-end A 1975 graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, James Vanderheyden finished his graduate training also at UIUC earning a Master of Architecture Degree in1977. Graduating with Honors, James also distinguished himself in the discipline of Urban Design and Planning by receiving one of eight awards given in the 1976 William Van Allen Architect Memorial Award, an International Design Competition open to Schools of Architecture at Universities throughout the world. Jim completed his internship in the Chicago firm of Shaw & Associates and passed the Illinois State Licensing Exam in 1981. In 1982 Jim founded his own company and named it Architectural Dynamics playing on the idea that Architectural Design is "ever changing" and "always in motion". Since then his body of work includes both Residential and Commercial Projects. Working out of his house, Jim's largest body of work has been in Residential Addition & Renovation Work in Oak Park and River Forest including his own house on Wesley Avenue in Oak Park. A 28 year resident of Oak Park, Jim has completed nearly 150 projects in Oak Park and River Forest alone. Combined with projects all over the Chicago Metropolitan Area and as far away as the Florida Keys and Cameron in West Africa, Jim has completed over 250 projects worldwide. Moving to Batavia, Illinois in 2005, Jim continues to provide the highest level of Quality in Architectural Design & Planning and highest level of Professional Integrity to clients throughout the entire Chicago Metropolitan Area. Jim's projects have received awards from the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission in 2008 & 2009. His projects have been featured in the Parenthesis of Oak Park & River Forest "Kitchen Walks" in 2008 and 2011 with the 2008 project being featured in a 2010 national publication of Kitchen Trend magazine. The PROCESS of architectural design and planning is a journey. Let me walk that path with you! ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Historic Building Conservation - Structural Engineering - Basement Remodeling - Basement Design - Deck Design - Laundry Room Design ### Areas Served - Aurora - Fox Valley - Naperville - Oak Park - Saint Charles - Batavia - Geneva - Warrenville - River Forest ### Typical Job Cost $200,000 - $500,000 Typical construction costs range between $200,000-$400,000. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | James Michael Vanderheyden | | Address | 627 Ritter Drive, Batavia, Illinois 60510, United States | | Phone | (708) 278-2891 | | Website | http://www.architecturaldynamics.net | | License Number | 001.009854 | | Followers on Houzz | 50 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [James Michael Vanderheyden](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/james-michael-vanderheyden-pfvwus-pf~59089050) - **Website:** http://www.architecturaldynamics.net - **Phone:** (708) 278-2891 ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — Jason Zubkus, Nov. 2016** > We hired Jim to design a second and third floor addition to our 1920's victorian. He was very easy to work with and helped create a seamless look to our home, as if the new part of the house had always been there. The design plan was thoughtful, practical, and economical. We would hire Jim again for any future work, no question. **★★★★★ — pitch123, Nov. 2016** > We hired Jim to do an addition on our 1890 Victorian home which is located in a historic district. To do the renovation we needed the approval of the Historic Review Committee. > Jim worked with this Committee and the village to obtain the approval we needed for this project. We were very happy with our project and with the services Jim provided. He is very professional and has creative vision. We were able to add a beautiful addition to our home while keeping the architectural integrity of the home. **★★★★★ — dtgordon, June 2015** > I hired Jim to create plans for a new family room, deck, porch and ramp in time for my daughter's wedding scheduled for August 2013. Preliminary plans were previously created for a school project of my daughter's so I already had an idea of what I had in mind and what uses this room would serve. There were several stuck points from my daughter's plans (such as where to put the ramp) that needed figuring out. Jim was patient and worked with me in creating the details needed to provide to the contractor and to have this project meet all my expectations. So some of the work entailed Jim making plans reflecting my ideas, and some were his ideas. He was very easy to work with and never tried to convince me to do something he preferred. His collaborative style was a perfect fit for me. He was very willing to put ideas into his program so that I could see what something would look like which is very important. I wholeheartedly would recommend Jim to design any project you might have. He was cognizant of our timeframe and that I needed plans to give to the contractor in order for this to be done in time for a pre wedding barbecue for 75 two days before the wedding. It's a gorgeous result and I love it. I get so many compliments on the space which is credit to the architect and the builder. **★★★★★ — brianberkowitz70, May 2015** > Jim was recommended by the contractor. We didn't know him in advance. He had a very pleasant, friendly, professional demeanor. He listened a lot and shared his suggestions all through the process. He clearly cares equally about aesthetics and doing things the right away. He recommended a recessed portion of the new back of our house, we couldn't be happier with the way that came out (our neighbors' houses look flat and monolithic in comparison). The project is almost complete and we are very satisfied and happy about the way it's all looking. Jim is a pro and a really excellent chap to boot. **★★★★★ — Roche Designs, May 2015** > We originally took interest in Jim's work as four other beautiful home's additions on the surrounding blocks had also been his designs. The homeowners all highly recommended him and the transition from old house to new space was seamless, flowing and very complimentary to the original design despite the fact that all four homes were of different architectural style. Jim masterfully designed our three level home renovation/addition. We absolutely love it, especially as it has better suited our growing family. Jim worked well with contractors throughout the construction period which really helped. **★★★★★ — lindahhillman, April 2015** > My husband and I were very happy with James' work for us which included architectural work for our master bedroom and bathroom and our kitchen. Our Oak Park home is a 1906 gem and we wanted to keep the integrity of detail yet become more livable. Both projects included moving walls; designing wooden details--windows to cabinets--that reflected detail in the rest of the house; placing weight-bearing beams to support ceilings and roof; redesigning stairs to basement and back yard, etc. Vanderheyden is a good listener and a solid architect/designer. He worked well with both our contractor and kitchen designer to improve and carry out our designs. We give him 5 stars. Linda and John Hillman ## Selected projects - [Glenview Contemporary Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glenview-contemporary-kitchen-pj-vj~5656152) - Location: Glenview, IL - Photos: 5 - [Aurora Full Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/aurora-full-renovation-pj-vj~2584674) - Location: Aurora, IL - Photos: 6 - [Oak Park Renovation- Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-park-renovation-addition-pj-vj~2760423) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 9 - [Home Additions](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-additions-pj-vj~669594) - Location: River Forest, IL - Photos: 10 - Description: Home Addition-Renovation work has many challenges. Blending new construction with old in a seamless and integrated design, consistent with the Architectural character of the original house, has always been my goal. - [Oak Park Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-park-residence-pj-vj~1076377) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 3 - [Custom Homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-homes-pj-vj~669576) - Location: St. Charles, IL - Photos: 3 - [Zubkus Project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/zubkus-project-pj-vj~2136551) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 9 - Description: This project was developed over a period of 11 years. The original 1st floor addition includes a new Kitchen, enlarged Dining Room, Family Room, and Covered Back Porch. It was completed in 2002. The last project includes a new 2nd Floor Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, and 3rd Floor Finished Attic. It was completed in 2013. - [Oak Park Addition-Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/oak-park-addition-renovation-pj-vj~669633) - Location: Oak Park, IL - Photos: 4 - Description: This simple 7 ft. addition added just enough space to accommodate a new Kitchen Renovation, Family Room Space, and transition to the back yard garden and existing deck. - [Batavia Prairie Custom House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/batavia-prairie-custom-house-pj-vj~661393) - Location: Batavia, IL - Photos: 4 - Description: Designed for a blended family, this house features 7 Bedrooms, 4 1/2 Baths, a Covered Front Porch, and Covered Rear Deck. - [River Forest Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/river-forest-residence-pj-vj~1076370) - Location: River Forest, IL - Photos: 5 [See all 10 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/james-michael-vanderheyden-pfvwus-pf~59089050) ## Ideabooks - [Summer Inspired Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52515686/list/summer-inspired-ideas) — 2 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/jmvanderheyden) ## Community Q&A **Q: Love this flooring, what kind of tile is it?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank-you! Our Interior Designer was Pamela Polvere. She can be reached at (708) 456-2066. I believe Pamela Polvere Designs in also listed with HOUZZ. Good Luck! --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-06.*