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Eckenhoff Saunders Wins CBC Merit Award for After School Matters Facility
Eckenhoff Saunders is proud to share that the new After School Matters facility at 1065 N. Orleans has received a Chicago Building Congress Merit Award in the Pre K-12 Education category. Located in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green neighborhood, the new facility was designed to support creativity, collaboration, and opportunity for Chicago teens through expanded programming in the…
Northlight Theatre’s Return to Evanston Featured in Chicago Reader
A recent Chicago Reader article explores new and expanding theater venues across the Chicago region, including Northlight Theatre’s return to Evanston. Eckenhoff Saunders is serving as the lead designer for Northlight Theatre’s new home, supporting the company’s next chapter while continuing its long-standing presence in the community. Read the full article in the Chicago Reader
A Look Inside the New Northlight Theatre
Northlight Theatre is entering an exciting new chapter as construction continues on its long-anticipated return to downtown Evanston. Eckenhoff Saunders is proud to be leading the design effort for the new, purpose-built home, supporting the continued growth and evolution of this beloved Evanston institution. After years of planning and fundraising, the project is now visibly…
Ribbon Cutting Celebrates After School Matters’ New Facility at 1065 N. Orleans
Photo: After School Matters ribbon cutting at 1065 N. Orleans. Eckenhoff Saunders served as lead architect for the new facility. After School Matters (ASM) welcomed students, families, mentors, and community leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new facility at 1065 N. Orleans in the Cabrini Green community on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The…
Eckenhoff Saunders Leads Design of After School Matters’ New Executive Offices
Eckenhoff Saunders is proud to partner with After School Matters (ASM) as lead architect, planner, and interior designer for the nonprofit’s new executive offices. ASM is a nationally recognized organization that has served more than 350,000 Chicago teens and engages nearly 19,000 each year through arts and enrichment programs. Working closely with ASM stakeholders from…
Zion Woods Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Community, Collaboration, and Compassionate Design
After years of visioning, planning, and dedicated collaboration, Zion Woods is officially open! We were honored to celebrate last week’s ribbon cutting ceremony in Deerfield alongside Illinois State Senator Julie Morrison, State Representative Rob Morgan, Mayor Dan Shapiro, Village Trustees, and the many partners and community members who helped bring this transformative project to life.…
Northlight Theatre Breaks Ground
Principal Craig Smith, AIA (pictured left in black hard hat), attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Northlight Theatre, which plans to open their new performing arts facility in downtown Evanston in 2026. The project involves acquiring and demolishing two vacant buildings on Church Street near downtown Evanston and constructing a new 280-seat, thrust proscenium mainstage theatre,…
Envision Unlimited Opens New Senior Group Home
Last week, our friend and colleague Erin Masters proudly joined Envision Unlimited for the ribbon-cutting of their new senior living facility in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood! This ADA-compliant home is designed for seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities and offers a safe, move-in-ready space. We were honored to provide pro bono interior design services for…
Permit Issued for After School Matters—Orleans
A permit has been issued for After School Matters’ new facility located at 1065 N Orleans Avenue in Chicago. Eckenhoff Saunders is leading the design effort that will transform a 36,000-square-foot former Catholic school into an inspiring and resource-rich environment for teens. When completed, the facility will feature a black box theater, gymnasium, cutting-edge culinary…
Northlight Theatre announces groundbreaking for long-awaited Evanston theater
Northlight Theatre was recently featured in the Chicago Tribune announcing the upcoming groundbreaking of their soon to be new home in downtown Evanston. This long-awaited project marks a transformative chapter for the arts community, bringing a state-of-the-art cultural destination to the heart of Evanston. This new facility will not only serve as a beacon for…