Our culture is built on community engagement, mentorship, and lifelong learning.
We approach outreach opportunities with the passion and dedication we bring to all our work.
Our team collectively and independently participates in and contributes to a wide variety of community organizations—from yearly volunteer days at food pantries including Care for Real, Common Pantry, and Nourishing Hope, to mentoring future professionals through our in-house WKA-LIFT program and ACE Mentorship, serving on boards of local nonprofits, teaching at the UIC School of Architecture and Northwestern University, holding leadership roles on AIA Chicago‘s Board of Directors, and the AIA Chicago LGBTQIA+ Alliance, and working to increase participation of minority architects through Arquitectos, and more.
WKA-LIFT
We launched WKA-LIFT in 2022, extending the ACE Mentoring program with an annual two-week summer workshop developed for high-school students interested in architecture and design. Combining hands-on exploration with year-round guidance, the program is designed to mentor students over multiple years and support aspiring designers on their path to architecture and design schools.
“Shared experiences with new places and practices help build our collective knowledge. Life-long learning, together. It’s one of the best things we implemented 30+ years ago.”
Dan Wheeler, FAIA
Founding Principal, Wheeler Kearns Architects
Office Trips
For nearly three decades, WKA has traveled together across the U.S.—and occasionally beyond—to experience cities, its architecture, and the people who shape them. These shared experiences create a common language of memories: “Do you remember…” or “like we saw there…”—moments that everyone instantly understands.
Each trip spans about three days and immerses us in the local culture—its food, music, and spirit. We connect with local architects, visit their studios, and tour recent projects, broadening our perspective as a practice. Along the way, we are inspired and challenged by new ideas, fresh contexts, and different approaches to design. Most importantly, the annual trip is a time to step back, celebrate our collective work, and raise a glass to the year ahead.
2026 – Los Angeles
2024 – Philadelphia
2020 – Mexico City
2018 – Vancouver
2017 – Michigan
2016 – Arkansas
2015 – New Orleans
2014 – Montreal
2012 – Detroit
2010 – Minneapolis
2009 – Toronto
2007 – San Francisco
2006 – Seattle
2005 – Phoenix
2003 – Dallas
2002 – Mexico City
2000 – Charleston
Just® Label 2.0
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI)’s Just® program provides a framework for evaluating and improving workplace policies in areas of equity, diversity, employee well-being, and community involvement.
WKA pursued the Just label to deepen our commitment to equity, transparency, and social responsibility—core values that align with our mission: to bring optimism, dignity, and design excellence to enrich lives and strengthen communities. By making these commitments public, we strengthen trust with employees, clients, and the communities we serve.
Read more about our Just® label
