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.
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.
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.
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.
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, October: “Destination Interiors Support Employees Equally, Wherever They May Be”
Work Design Magazine, March: “Socially Activated Offices Are More Crucial in Suburbs Than Urban Centers”
Work Design Magazine, September: “Using Technology to Unlock New Rentable Square Feet in Historic Buildings.”
Work Design Magazine, February: “Office Design That Helps Employees Enjoy Their Stay”
Public Library Quarterly, Vol. 37, No.3: “Future Proofing Your Public Library”
REjournals, July 31: “Chicago Building Owners Are Opening Their Doors – On the Top Floors”
REjournals, May 2: “Why Branded Workplaces Inspire Millennials (and Every Other Generation)”
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
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
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.