Positive Disruption: Reimagining the Future of Housing
Trina Sandschafer, AIA
Sponsored by the Visiting Professor in Architecture Lecture Fund
Trina serves as Vice President and Design Principal at Kahler Slater, where she is responsible for establishing, inspiring, and directing the comprehensive development of the design process. She is also a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Illinois School of Architecture (2020-21).
In Chicago, where she leads the Kahler Slater’s design studio, Trina serves as the leader for the residential and hospitality practices. She is well known for her exemplary design skills, as well as her ability to build strong relationships and attract key collaborators. Trina is passionate about architecture as a discipline and a craft.
Trina leads all projects with a user-focused approach, resulting in clear conceptual analysis and engaging results. As a critical thinker, she excels at bringing clarity to complex programs. Trina’s extensive experience in residential, hospitality, and master-planning spans a wide range of scales – from multi-phase master plans to high-end custom residential – creating opportunities for diverse clients.
As an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Trina continually returns to campus as a reviewer and critic. She is actively involved with the UIUC School of Architecture Chicago Studio as a mentor, professional practice liaison, and design critic, working with students to address critical architectural design issues in today’s cities. Trina was honored to deliver the School of Architecture Convocation Address in 2019.