About

Studio GC is a Chicago-based architecture firm founded with the intent of providing very personal architectural design services. For more than 30 years, we have worked as a passionate, community-minded partner committed to creating imaginative and well-designed spaces. In addition to architecture and interior design, we offer design-build projects, planning, programming, cost estimating and facility assessment services.

Founded as a hands-on studio, we are just as passionate about building relationships as we are about architecture.

Relationships. Purpose. Community.

At Studio GC, our mission is to serve your purpose: We strive to create spaces that improve your quality of life and help you achieve your goals. For 30 years, we have honored the notion that our success is measured by your success — an idea that is directly supported by our shared beliefs and daily studio practice.

We believe in building relationships. We are grateful for the long-standing relationships that we have built. Our relationships drive our work and inspire the dedication that we apply to everything that we do. We don’t take for granted the level of trust that our customers put into our hands. We work diligently to keep your needs in mind when tasked with any type of project.

We are supremely dedicated to our customers. We believe that our primary role as architectural partners is to support you in your path to success. Through a thoughtful design process, we identify the unique drivers that motivate your decisions, setting a shared course of action. We enjoy creating places out of spaces to help you thrive.

We believe that our work belongs to the community. Because of the nature of our work, we see public service as a large part of our mission. Through exploration, understanding, and execution, we are constantly working toward positive change: creating places that facilitate improvement and enhancement for the entire community.

Interested in working with Studio GC?

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Studio GC’s work facilitated our decisions and allowed us to develop plans conducive to our vision. The Studio GC team brings a standard of excellence to each detail of the project.

Principal, St. Walter School

Leadership

Studio GC was founded in 1992 by Michael Gilfillan and Patrick Callahan with the mission to create excellent public facilities. In the time since, we’ve expanded to serve private and healthcare facilities, grown to a medium-sized firm, and are proud of the diversity reflected in our multi-generational staff.

Awards & Accolades

Challenge Coin Award, West Aurora SD 129 Patrick Callahan

Outstanding Design, Educational Interior Showcase; American School & University Niles THSD 219 Bridges Adult Transition Center

Work Design Magazine, February: “Office Design That Helps Employees Enjoy Their Stay

Public Library Quarterly, Vol. 37, No.3: “Future Proofing Your Public Library”

Work Design Magazine, February: “Addressing The Commoditization Of Workspace

Outstanding Facility & Park Award, Illinois Park & Recreation Association
Chicago Park District Morgan Park Sports Center

US Builders Review, Summer 2016, Edition IV: “High-Quality Sustainable Design in the Windy City”

Chicago Building Congress Merit Award, Owners’ Choice, Finalist

Medical District Vascular Center & Home Dialysis Center

Lorraine D. Wright Construction Award of Merit, National Association of Women in Construction, Quad-City Chapter
Milan Municipal Building

Library Construction Grant Committee, Illinois State Library 2003–07 (Rick McCarthy)

Bottom Line: The Journal of Library Finance, March: “Understanding Project Cost and Building Cost”

Institute of Museum and Library Services Award, Illinois Library Trustees Association Award (Rick McCarthy)

Outstanding Project, Learning by Design
Burr Ridge Middle School

Outstanding Project, Learning by Design
Evanston Township High School District 202 - Literacy Lab

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Educational Environment Design, IASB Service Associates
Niles THSD 219, Niles North Addition

Outstanding Project, Learning by Design
Niles THSD 219, Niles North Addition

Outstanding Project, Learning by Design
Niles THSD 219, Niles North + West High Schools - Library Renovations

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Presentations & Panels

AIA Washington Civic Design Awards

American General Contractors Association

Architectural Precast Certification Program

Best of NeoCon

Bisnow

EDspaces

Facilities Professionals Conference

Fox Valley General Contractors Association

Illinois Association of Park Districts

Illinois Association of School Business Officials

Illinois Community College Board

Illinois Library Association

LearningSCAPES

Library Journal Design Institute

Mamava

Metropolitan Library System

Public Building Commission

RTM School Planning & Facilities Congress

REjournals Chicago Commercial Real Estate Forecast Conference

Shawnee Library System

State of Downtown Office, West Loop & Fulton Market Conference

State of Illinois Local Government Consolidation Commission Conference

ThinkLab

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Careers

We’re always looking for well-rounded individuals pursuing a career in architecture. We are proud of the diversity reflected in our staff, and strive to strengthen our mission with new voices.

If you’re interested in joining our team, feel free to share your credentials with us.