Ross Barney Architects

Ross Barney Architects is an architecture, urban design, and landscape architecture studio. Established in 1981 by Carol Ross Barney, the AIA 2023 Gold Medal recipient. The studio’s ideas and projects have been recognized by organizations from around the world with over 200 major awards, these honors acknowledge an over four-decade commitment to community, environment, innovation and to design excellence.

Beyond achievements and accolades, the studio’s biggest asset has been an ability to deliver on the aspirations of a diverse set of clients who serve the public good. From the Oklahoma City Federal Building to the Chicago Riverwalk, Ross Barney Architects has produced distinctive projects that have become icons for their communities, creating innovative, environmentally responsible, user focused architecture and civic spaces.

Ross Barney Architects has focused on creating better places for people to learn, live, work and play. We have worked nearly exclusively for public clients, designing campus buildings for premier academic and research institutions, to schools, libraries and public parks and plazas.

Sustainability is a core mission of their practice. The JRC Synagogue and the UMD Swenson Civil Engineering Building received the highest honor from the national AIA for sustainable design: the Committee on the Environment (COTE) Top Ten. 

Ross Barney Architects has been honored with the following awards: 

• Cooper Hewitt National Design Award
• Fast Company, Most Innovative Design Company AND Innovation by Design Awards
• The ULI Global Award for Excellence
• Prix Versailles/UNESCO/UIA Continental Winner
• (14) AIA Institute Honor Awards for Architecture, Interior Architecture, Regional and Urban Design
• (2) AIA COTE Top Ten Awards for Sustainable Design
• (2) World Architecture Festival High Commendations
• (44) AIA Chicago Design Awards
• (4) American Architecture Awards, The Chicago Athenaeum
• The Rudy Bruner Award, Silver Medal
• APA National Planning Excellence Award for Urban Design

Ross Barney Beliefs

• Urban Sensitivity: We believe that great design strengthens a community.
• Environmental Stewardship: We design to protect our world. 
• Design Excellence: Space and environment have a fundamental impact on quality of life.
• Societal Aspirations: Design is a powerful force. Excellent design is a right, not a privilege. Ross Barney Architects believe that good building projects are functional and comfortable. Great buildings are memorable and inspiring.
• Every Project, a Great Project: We believe that every project has the potential to be great. The potential lies in the intersection of program, site, and the heritage of the client. We believe community engagement strengthens the quality of design and programming.

Firm description and photos courtesy of Ross Barney Architects.