Carol Ross Barney Named Spring 2022 Pelli Distinguished Lecturer
Ross Barney is the design principal and founder of Chicago-based Ross Barney Architects, an architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture studio. The studio, founded by Ross Barney in 1981, was named by Fast Company as one of 2022’s Most Innovative Companies and was awarded the 2021 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award. Last fall, Carol Ross Barney was awarded the 2021 Order of Lincoln, the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service. She is only the third architect to have received this honor, joining Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Buckminster Fuller.
Carol Ross Barney graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1971. In her career that spans nearly 50 years, Ross Barney’s work includes the reconstructed Oklahoma City Federal Building, two of Chicago’s most heavily used transit stations at Fullerton and Belmont Avenues, and the Chicago River Walk project. While varied in type and scale, her projects have been almost exclusively in the public realm, earning her an international reputation in design of institutional and public buildings. Her commitment to progressing the profession can be seen through her dedication to teach, mentor, and empower young architects.
Francisco J. Rodríguez-Suárez, FAIA, the director of the Illinois School of Architecture expressed, “I’m excited at the possibility of sharing both studios and classrooms with distinguished alumna Carol Ross Barney. She has been a respected and admired ambassador of the school’s mission and design values. It will be a distinct honor for the School of Architecture academic community to welcome such an important voice as we get ready to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Nathan Ricker’s graduation.”
Carol Ross Barney follows Toshiko Mori from Japan and Sumayya Vally from South Africa as the third Pelli Distinguished Visiting Lecturer. Her lecture will take place via Zoom on Monday, May 2, at 6 pm CDT. While on campus this semester, Ross Barney will also engage students in multiday, coteaching efforts of graduate studio learning and discussion sessions with faculty and students.
The César Pelli Distinguished Lecture Series was made possible through the generous estate gift of world-renowned architect and celebrated Illinois Architecture alumnus César Pelli. You can register for the Carol Ross Barney lecture and other upcoming César Pelli Lectures by visiting our events page.