Yesterday, we celebrated Chris-Annmarie’s remarkable achievement with fellow peers and friends at the AIA Chicago Annual Meeting and Holiday Party.

Tony LoBello, who presented her the award stated, “Born in Jamaica, Chris expressed an interest in architecture at an early age. Though it wasn’t routine for girls to enter into technical fields, she—the only girl in her technical drawing class—excelled, eventually entering university at the Caribbean School of Architecture. She moved to Chicago after her family relocated to the U-S, and was hired by Wheeler Kearns in 2004. Though her roots in Jamaica don’t influence the style of her work, she says that it influences the types of projects she takes on and allows her to identify projects for people who are in need. This motivation brought her to become the project Architect for Inspiration Kitchens, a beautiful restaurant in East Garfield Park that provides job skills training for those most deeply affected by homelessness and poverty. Her work continues in the direction of service; she is currently the project architect for the Goodman Theater’s new education department, designing a space in which every person will get the opportunity to be on stage.”

Congratulations Chris-Annmarie!