Business Details
44 Years
experience
Award-Winning Chicago Architects Since 1982
Becker Architects was founded in New York City in 1982, establishing a legacy of innovative design across residential, commercial, and automotive dealership sectors. Since relocating to Chicago in 1989, we have completed hundreds of projects nationwide, earning recognition for our expertise in new construction, renovations, and adaptive reuse. Our firm holds accreditations including LEED AP certification and membership in the American Institute of Architects, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and ethical design. With a focus on client collaboration, we deliver tailored solutions that balance functionality, aesthetics, and budgetary considerations.Our work has been honored with awards from the AIA Chicago, Driehaus Foundation, and Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission, among others. We pride ourselves on transparent communication, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of zoning regulations and historic preservation standards. Our teams diverse experience ensures that each project, whether a private residence or large-scale commercial development, meets the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction.
Services
Residential Design
Auto Dealerships
Commercial Architecture
Site Selection
Zoning Studies
Historic Preservation
Interior Design
Construction Documents
Tenant Build-Outs
3D Renderings
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in residential and commercial architecture.
- Our team includes LEED-certified professionals committed to sustainable design.
- We have received over 12 awards from the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission.
- Our services span site selection, zoning studies, and construction administration.
- Clients praise our transparent communication and budget-conscious solutions.
Associations and certifications
- LEED AP
- American Institute of Architects
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
- US Green Building Council
- International Code Council
What people say
Amazing to work with
Dream home
Exceeded expectations
Seamless process
Award-winning expertise
Services
Residential Design
We specialize in custom residential projects, including new construction, renovations, and additions. Our designs prioritize functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, tailored to modern lifestyles while respecting historic integrity. Clients benefit from our expertise in navigating zoning regulations and achieving cost-effective solutions.
Auto Dealerships
Our firm designs automotive dealership facilities that optimize workflow and customer experience. We collaborate with major manufacturers to create spaces that meet brand standards while reducing construction costs. Services include site planning, interior layouts, and compliance with local regulations.
Commercial Architecture
We provide end-to-end commercial architecture services for ground-up buildings and tenant build-outs. Our approach integrates innovative design with practical functionality for retail, office, and mixed-use spaces. Clients value our ability to align projects with budgetary and timeline constraints.
Historic Preservation
Our team excels in preserving historic structures while modernizing interiors for contemporary use. We adhere to strict preservation standards and have earned multiple awards for rehabilitating mid-century and early 20th-century buildings.
3D Renderings
We create detailed 3D renderings and promotional materials to visualize projects before construction. These tools help clients make informed decisions and streamline approvals for zoning and marketing purposes.
People
Richard Becker
Founder
A third-generation architect with experience at Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Richard established Becker Architects in 1982. He holds a B.Arch from Syracuse University and has served on multiple local preservation and zoning boards.
Nancy Becker
Co-Founder
Nancy, a graduate of Syracuse University, brings expertise in architectural design and community engagement. She has contributed to Highland Park High School programs and served on the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission.
Jack Becker
Design Counsel
Jack co-founded BLDUS in Washington, DC, focusing on historic preservation. He earned a B.Arch from Cornell and a Master of Urban Design from Harvard, blending innovation with traditional design principles.
Gina Charo
Architect
Gina has 14 years of experience in residential and commercial architecture. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and specializes in client-focused design solutions.
Emil Gorgioski
Interior Designer
Emil combines furniture industry experience with interior architecture expertise. A graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, he focuses on creating cohesive, functional spaces.
Questions
What services does Becker Architects offer?
We provide residential, commercial, and automotive dealership design services, including new construction, renovations, zoning studies, and 3D renderings.
How long has Becker Architects been in business?
Founded in 1982 in New York City, we relocated to Chicago in 1989 and have completed projects nationwide.
Do you specialize in historic preservation?
Yes, we have extensive experience rehabilitating historic buildings, including mid-century modern and early 20th-century structures.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve the Chicago metropolitan area but also work in New York, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, and other U.S. locations.
Are your architects LEED-certified?
Yes, we have LEED AP-certified professionals on staff committed to sustainable design practices.
How do you handle project budgets?
We prioritize cost-effective solutions and transparent communication to ensure projects align with client budgets.
Reviews (3)
Karenbsager
Dec 19, 2021
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We chose Becker Architects Limited to remodel our kitchen as well as turn two little-used back staircases into a mudroom, pantry and upstairs laundry. Richard Becker, his wife Nancy, and their team were a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Theyre ideas, suggestions, drawings, and site visits were all excellent. They helped us through the bidding process to pick a contractor, and they were available to help us throughout the project whenever we needed to consult them. We give them the highest recommendation, and will use them for our next project without question.
Ron Sonenthal
Dec 19, 2021
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We've had a simply wonderful experience. Richard and Nancy listened to us, and came back with a plan to build a modern American Farmhouse that would meet all of our needs now - and in the future. They have been creative and, more importantly, collaborative in creating a thoughtful and thorough design in which no detail was missed. Consummate professionals, Richard and Nancy teamed well with all of our contractors, but I knew they would back us in any conflict. Responsive and proactive, they were on time and on budget.
Gordon Hochhalter
Dec 19, 2021
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Of all the many decisions we made to reimagine our home, by far the best decision was to hire Becker Architects. Richard not only gave us some wonderful and functional ideas we never would have thought of ourselves. He brought a great modern design sense to the project. He also listened to our dreams for the old place. And he and Nancy and Gina found ways to make them come true. They also had our backs through all the construction verities and mysteries. In fact, Im pretty sure we wouldnt have made it through that phase without them. But most important, they are good people. We have really
