Celebrating Design Excellence in Chicago's Neighborhoods

For 25 years, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design has fostered urban designs that inspire people and celebrate community in neighborhoods across Chicago.

The annual award recognizes three architects for Chicago development projects that make a significant contribution to the social, visual and cultural life of neighborhoods through quality design. The award is guided by Richard Driehaus’s commitment to encourage development that respects and strengthens the city’s unmatched architectural heritage, especially in neighborhoods confronting economic and social challenges.

This program is hosted in partnership with LISC Chicago.

Moderator: Blair Kamin

Blair Kamin, winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, was the Chicago Tribune’s architecture critic from 1992 to 2021. A graduate of Amherst College and the Yale School of Architecture, he holds honorary degrees from Monmouth University and North Central College. Kamin has lectured widely and has discussed architecture on programs ranging from ABC’s “Nightline” to WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight.” The University of Chicago Press has published two collections of his columns: "Why Architecture Matters: Lessons from Chicago" and "Terror and Wonder: Architecture in a Tumultuous Age." He is also editor of the book "Gates of Harvard Yard," published by Princeton Architectural Press and sparked by a course he co-taught during a 2012−13 Nieman Fellowship at the university. Kamin is the recipient of numerous awards including the Pulitzer Prize, which he received for his body of work and a series of articles about the problems and promise of Chicago’s greatest public space: its lakefront.

Presenter: Presenter: Thomas H. Beeby, FAIA, Chairman Emeritus, HBRA Architects

Thomas Beeby joined James Hammond in architectural practice in 1971. In 1972, the firm became Hammond Beeby and Associates. In the ensuing years, Beeby has primarily served as Director of Design, overseeing a range of projects that includes museums, libraries, university buildings, theater and performing arts centers, urban and campus master plans, high-rise and suburban office buildings, renovations of historic structures, religious buildings, retail projects, housing developments and private residences. Beeby is the 2013 Driehaus Award recipient presented through the University of Notre Dame. This award recognizes lifetime contributions to traditional, Classical, and sustainable architecture in the modern world. Beeby was Dean of the Yale University School of Architecture from 1985 to 1991, and later served as Adjunct Professor of Architecture. He was Director of the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1980 to 1985, and Associate Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology from 1978 to 1980. Beeby is Chair of the Richard Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design Jury. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Presenter: Joy Aruguete, Chief Executive Officer, Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation

Ms. Aruguete has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation for 25 years. She leads this 53- year-old award-winning nonprofit community development corporation whose works has included: the development of 2,060 housing units, including 154 single family homes, with an additional 207 units under construction 731 apartments under development; resident-involved property management of 1,094 rental housing units; management of over 90,000 square ft. of commercial space across eight sites; the performance of minor repairs in over 700 households; the development of hundreds of jobs for community residents; and the development of hundreds of community leaders.

Ms. Aruguete provides leadership in efforts to ensure effective policy, capacity and resources for affordable housing and community development in Chicago and nationally through her active engagement. She received her Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also holds a Certificate in NonProfit Management from Roosevelt University, and an Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker License.

Presenter: Jeff Bone, FAIA

Jeff Bone was named Principal at Landon Bone Baker Architects (LBBA) in 1999. LBBA is a Chicago-based architectural practice established in 1987 that is distinguished by its community-based approach. An innovative leader and hands-on champion of affordable housing and neighborhood planning, LBBA believes good design should be available to all. Jeff has shaped best practices, codes, and policy in many capacities, including volunteering with Affordable Housing Building Code Group of the Business and Professional People for the Public Interest; advocating to preserve SROs and establish best practices in design/construction; and volunteering with Tiny House Working Group to champion new, sustainable, and economical housing options.  Jeff’s built work has been honored with numerous awards, including multiple AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Awards and four prestigious First-Place Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Architectural Excellence in Community Design.

Presenter: Angela Hurlock, Chairperson of the Board of the Chicago Housing Authority

Angela Hurlock is the Chairperson of the Board of the Chicago Housing Authority. She has more than 20 years of experience in providing affordable, safe and environmentally-efficient housing to low-income residents of Chicago.  She was appointed by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot in September 2019.

Ms. Hurlock serves as Executive Director of Claretian Associates, where she oversees the development, execution and evaluation of the community development corporation, which serves 3,000 families a year. It provides affordable housing and vital services that benefit the safety and well-being of residents and families in South Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Ms. Hurlock has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Architecture from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Presenter: Anne Lazar, Executive Director, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

A lifelong resident of the Chicagoland area, Anne Lazar received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Marketing and a minor in Math and Computer Science from Loyola University of Chicago. Lazar began her career with Burroughs Corporation as a sales representative in the education segment, selling to schools and universities. She then transitioned to Driehaus Securities Corporation where she worked from 1987 through 1992, managing operations and trading for their international equity portfolios. A strong supporter of arts and culture, children’s health and social services, Lazar has held officer positions and co-chaired a number of annual annual galas for the Women’s Board of Catholic Charities, the Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet and the See Chicago Dance gala that honored Richard H. Driehaus and his valuable contributions to the dance world in Chicago. In addition to her time spent as a member of the board of trustees for The Richard H. Driehaus Museum, she currently serves as the Chair of the RHDM Development & Marketing Committee. Lazar is a member of the national board for the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Advisory Committee for its Where Women Made History campaign.

Presenter: Patricia Saldaña Natke, President and Founding Partner of UrbanWorks

Patricia Saldaña Natke is Founding Partner of UrbanWorks and as President oversees design excellence for every project. Her extraordinary record of public service imbues the firm with a strong civic ethic.

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, Pat has served as Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Facilitator at Archeworks, and as a Masters in Architecture Thesis Advisor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently a part time Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology School of Architecture.

Prior to founding UrbanWorks, she worked in design positions for several award-winning Chicago architectural firms.