--- title: "Wilkinson Design Corporation — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wilkinson-design-corporation-pfvwus-pf~789564200 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~789564200.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Wilkinson Design Corporation" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/cbf3b03603b2e3ef_0145-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Chicago, Illinois 60613, United States" latitude: 41.9543 longitude: -87.6575 phone: "(312) 848-4569" website: http://www.wilkinsondc.net rating: 4.9 review_count: 8 followers: 97 last_updated: 2026-09-08 --- # Wilkinson Design Corporation Original Houzz profile: [Wilkinson Design Corporation](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wilkinson-design-corporation-pfvwus-pf~789564200) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Chicago, IL - **Serves:** Metropolitan Chicago and anywhere with an amazing view. - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (8 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves WDC is a collaborative studio focusing on improving lives through quality design. With 25 years of experience, we excel at anticipating clients' needs, as well as listening to individual programmatic requirements and developing design solutions that are creative, inspirational, and durable. We like to communicate extensively with visual material to let clients know that we understand their objectives, and make them comfortable in their investment by letting them see what they will get. Our understanding of construction gives us credibility on a job site, forging strong relationships with the contractors who get the project built. Michael Wilkinson is an award-winning architect based in Chicago with a wide range of experience in residential design. Wilkinson's work has appeared in numerous national publications, including Dwell, Metropolitan Home, Metropolis, Crains, The Chicago Tribune, and Architectural Record. He has received multiple AIA design awards for creativity and was responsible for the first LEED Gold rated residential project in the State of Illinois. Wilkinson has directed the completion of over 100 projects ranging in cost from $250,000 to $2.5 million. He is particularly adept at making small spaces feel larger through the use of layering, clever planning, and natural light. In 2006 Wilkinson started a construction company to run parallel to his architectural practice. The firm subsequently managed over $8 million in construction contracts over three years. This extensive construction experience combined with a sophisticated design eye allows Wilkinson to consistently exceed his clients' expectations in terms of design, performance, delivery, and budget. ### Services Provided - Architectural design services - feasibility studies - masterplanning - construction management - and general contracting ### Areas Served - Metropolitan Chicago and anywhere with an amazing view. ### Typical Job Cost $250,000 - 2,000,000 Fees vary from project to project, and are typically capped at a percentage of construction cost. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Wilkinson Design Corporation | | Address | Chicago, Illinois 60613, United States | | Phone | (312) 848-4569 | | Website | http://www.wilkinsondc.net | | License Number | IL \# 001014288 | | Followers on Houzz | 97 | **Social profiles:** - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-wilkinson/8/634/584 - Blog — http://mjwilkinson.houzz.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Wilkinson Design Corporation](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wilkinson-design-corporation-pfvwus-pf~789564200) - **Website:** http://www.wilkinsondc.net - **Phone:** (312) 848-4569 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Illinois License - AIA Chicago Small Project Award, 2013, Seeley Residence - AIA Chicago Small Project Award, 2013, Denim Wall - AIA Chicago Interior Architecture Special Recognition, Cornelia Residence - Graham Foundation Townhouse Competition, 1999, Winner - AIA Chicago Emerging Visions Winner, 1998 **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 8 reviews** ### All 8 reviews **★★★★★ — 41 West, Dec. 2015** > As a builder in Naples, Florida, we recommend Michael and his team at Wilkinson Design Corp to anyone in the Chicago Metro Area, as well as anyone who owns in Naples, Bonita Beach, or Marco Island, who wants to either design and build a custom home, or wants to remodel a luxury home or condo. > Michael understands that you want your own special place, that reflects your style and taste. It is imperative that you trust the team you have chosen to design your dream. Wilkinson Design Corp is a team you can trust and we highly recommend them. **★★★★ — rdgib, Dec. 2014** > Michael Wilkinson and his associates redesigned our kitchen in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago Illinois in 2012. The project involved extensive reconstruction of our house including changing the footprint of the lower level and the installation of a new foundation and backyard. The kitchen is simply amazing. **★★★★★ — llkelly18, Dec. 2014** > Mr. Wilkinson served as architect and general contractor for my Monroe County Ohio vacation house /hunting lodge in the remote Appalachian region of SE Ohio. He was totally in charge of all aspects of design and construction from site preparation to final finish. I could not have been more pleased with the results as twenty years later it is still a pride and joy. **★★★★★ — User, Sept. 2014** > We worked with Michael on the design of a lake home in Bristol, Wisconsin. Michael took a split-level ranch built around 1980, and changed the footprint and design to maximize the lake views and give the home a completely new, updated and modern look. Michael's architectural talents are astounding. His design ideas are original, hip and beautiful, and they range from the inexpensive (use of cool and modern inexpensive materials to create very high-end effects) to the very expensive (use of latest luxury materials to create cutting edge designs). His creativity and originality make any project -- no matter what the budget -- look unique and beautiful. Michael is also extremely conscious of a project's footprint. He used the existing structure of our house, and did not change the footprint. He saved old materials when possible, recycled them when not possible, and more generally, he is focused on efficient and energy-saving designs and products. In our home, he utilized Nicaraguan hardwood that was salvaged after a mud slide for the home's cathedral beams, outdoor breezeway and a family dining table. The results were stunningly beautiful, and extremely earth-friendly. We give Michael our highest recommendation -- you will love the home you create with him. **★★★★★ — peytoncallahan, Sept. 2014** > We had the opportunity to hire Michael Wilkinson for our home. We did a complete renovation of a home built in 1904. What Michael did best was consider our lifestyle and personality. He designed every nook and cranny to be functional. And for a city home in Chicago, every inch of space is needed. Michael's design preserved the original nature of the home in the front so the house complemented the neighboring homes on the street but modernized the rear of the home to fit our style. He was so innovative in his design and materials that when we sold our home 11 years later, the house was still edgy and up to date. He is unbelievably creative and budget conscious. We are currently designing a home in Texas and deeply missing his expertise and thoughtful approach to a home. In addition, his honesty and integrity was never questioned. He made decisions with the builders to protect us. He takes such pride in his work that many times it felt as though he was our general contractor. **★★★★★ — franklisa38, Sept. 2014** > Michael Wilkinson served as the lead architect for a complete gut remodel of a century building in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. The project benefited by Michael's foresight, expert planning, and construction management. He and his staff envisioned and executed state of the art improvements into the design and construction resulting, at the time of project completion, the highest rated LEED certified building in the state of Illinois. The finished product was featured in numerous design magazines, local press, and widespread television coverage. After living in the house for a number of years, we were pleased to sell at a premium price, representing a return on investment that would not have been possible without the expert assistance of Michael Wilkinson. I highly recommend the services of this firm. **★★★★★ — Leslie Heller, Sept. 2014** > We hired Michael Wilkinson as the architect for our basement renovation about 6 years ago. We were familiar with his work in our neighborhood already when we hired him. We were looking for some original, creative ideas and not just a boring basement multi-purpose room. The project involved digging down and re-pouring the slab, moving mechanicals and ductwork, and designing a media area, a play area, an art area, and a bathroom. > We were, and still are, thrilled with the results. He was full of creative ideas and gave lots of attention to small aesthetic details. I realized afterwards that this attention to detail is what makes a finished project look special vs what a handy homeowner could do by themselves. You get what you pay for. I appreciated how he encouraged us to save money in certain ways (incorporating Ikea cabinets) so that we could afford to splurge on other things (lighting, tile etc). 100% satisfied and would hire him again. **★★★★★ — Thomas Carr, Sept. 2014** > We hired Michael Wilkinson to transform an old wood working warehouse in the heart of Roscoe Village in Chicago into a home for our family. What he produced was modern oasis complete with an atrium that provides light throughout the house and a massive green footprint as well. > Michael was as professional to work with as he was innovative with his design. He listened to the needs for our family and was thoughtful in how he addressed our design change suggestions. He was also great about bringing builders to the table for us to choose from and kept a close partnership with them throughout the process. ## Selected projects - [Cornelia Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cornelia-loft-pj-vj~595507) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Seeley House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/seeley-house-pj-vj~595793) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - [Apiary Condominiums](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/apiary-condominiums-pj-vj~595683) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Madison Penthouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/madison-penthouse-pj-vj~652916) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - [Smog Veil House and Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/smog-veil-house-and-studio-pj-vj~652682) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 22 - Description: Renovation of a former corner tavern into a single family residence and home office. Existing building occupied the entire footprint of the lot, so the roof was transformed into the garden/outdoor living area. Photovoltaic panels provide 40% of the home's electricity - [Wisconsin Lake House and Pool](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wisconsin-lake-house-and-pool-pj-vj~652664) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 20 - [Bradley Place Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bradley-place-renovation-pj-vj~652906) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Single family renovation of a victorian home. - [Cabernet](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cabernet-pj-vj~759428) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: What started as a small family weekend lodge 25 years ago has grown into an extended family compound near the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. - [Waveland Avenue House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/waveland-avenue-house-pj-vj~1222988) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 24 - Description: Architect's home. Renovated 2-flat converted to single family home of approximately 3400 s.f. Currently listed with Coldwell Banker if interested. [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/wilkinson-design-corporation-pfvwus-pf~789564200) ## Ideabooks - [Paulina](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52309576/list/paulina) — 2 ideas - [mjwilkinson's Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30984169/list/mjwilkinson-s-ideas) — 49 ideas - [FURNITURE](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34669847/list/furniture) — 9 ideas [See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/mjwilkinson) ## Community Q&A **Q: Would love to know where the counter stools are from. Thanks.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The countertop is stainless steel with an integrated sink bowl. I believe the stools are from Design Within Reach. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-08.*