“My passion for architecture comes from a deep drive to craft spaces of beauty and meaning, rooted in a complete understanding of how ideas are both designed and built. My love for carpentry and hands-on building deepens this connection, reminding me that architecture is as much about making as it is imagining.”
Jon Heinert
Jon joined Wheeler Kearns Architects in 1999 and became a principal in 2006. He received his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin and his Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia, where he was honored with the Design Excellence Award and the AIA Certificate of Merit.
Jon’s work has shown how architecture can enrich public life by creating spaces that invite connection and community. In Chicago, he helped shape two mixed-use, transit-oriented developments along the CTA Blue Line and Milwaukee Avenue. At 1611 W. Division, a high-rise that anchors an existing public plaza, a 97-foot art wall reinvigorates Division Street as a cultural corridor. The Milwaukee-Belden T.O.D. includes a pair of towers that frame a new public plaza, shaped as a welcoming extension of the sidewalk with café seating, climbing boulders, and timber benches.
He has guided clients in realizing their vision through dozens of retreat homes and residences, including the Meadow Lane Retreat, Lakeview Penthouse, Orchard Willow Residence, and Timber Lane Retreat. Jon has also directed major nonprofit projects, including the Master Plan for Margaret’s Village, which features two 50-bed shelters, and Southwest Women Working Together, a headquarters for domestic violence survivors that received First Place in the Richard Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence.
Jon is a registered Architect in Illinois and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He is also a Registered Energy Professional and Self-Certified Architect with the City of Chicago.
Jon resides in the Pilsen neighborhood and spends free time honing his finish carpentry skills by designing, fabricating and installing millwork elements within the 150 year-old home he shares with his wife, son and golden doodle.
Education
| 1998 | MArch, University of Virginia |
| 1994 | BSAS, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee |
Professional Affiliations
| 2024-present | Member, Chicago Loop Alliance |
| 2007-present | American Institute of Architects |
“What surprised me most was how Jon’s knowledge went far beyond that of an architect. His ability to communicate and collaborate with the contractor as if he were part of the construction team greatly impressed me. He wasn’t just handing over plans and saying, “you figure it out”—he was actively involved in execution, bouncing ideas with them on how to make things happen, working in true tandem.”
Residential Client