Beliefs

Design as Making

We understand design as an act of making. At every stage, the process produces something tangible: a model, a diagram, a system, a new logic given form. These artifacts are not byproducts, but are the work itself, capturing thought, dialogue, and decision-making in real time. As the project evolves, what we make grows in complexity, shaped by expanding criteria and constraints, ultimately becoming a framework that guides the realization of the building. Design is not a singular moment of authorship, but a continuous act of construction.

Architecture of Performance

Holabird & Root, performance is the foundation of design. Our work is shaped by the realities buildings must address: use, durability, systems, and long-term impact — rather than stylistic ambition. This approach reflects a legacy of solving real problems: from early skyscrapers responding to urban density and fire risk, to contemporary projects driven by sustainability and operational efficiency. By grounding form in necessity and benefit, we create architecture that is not only expressive, but reliable; buildings that can be depended on, not just remarked upon.

Human-Centered Modernism

From its earliest work, Holabird & Root approached modern architecture as a response to human needs. Rather than presenting buildings as abstract objects, we have consistently framed design as a solution to everyday conditions, improving how people work, move, and experience the city. This pragmatic, humane approach helped make modern architecture accessible and trusted, shaping a distinctly Midwestern modernism: practical, honest, and oriented toward daily life

Continuity Through Reinterpretation

Our legacy is not preserved through repetition, but through reinterpretation. Each generation finds its own place within the firm’s history, building upon what came before with curiosity and critical perspective. This approach allows us to remain grounded while continually evolving—carrying forward core principles of rigor, clarity, and performance without becoming fixed in a single moment. In this way, continuity becomes active rather than static.

Expertise

Explore our range of services designed to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you're headed next.

  • As campuses expand, reimagine heir academic mission,

  • Flexible, expert advice when you need it. Book hourly support across a range of topics—from planning to problem-solving. This focused consultation will help clarify your goals, map out next steps, and identify opportunities for growth.

  • Flexible, expert advice when you need it. Book hourly support across a range of topics—from planning to problem-solving. This focused consultation will help clarify your goals, map out next steps, and identify opportunities for growth.

Team

Managing Partner Eric Risinger, AIA, NCARB

Principals

Greg Cook, AIA

Dennis Vovos, AIA, LEED AP

Associate Principals

Design Partner, Rusty Walker, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Laura Gabel, AIA, APX

Michael Hall, AIA, NCARB

Kyla Middleton

Lu Yuan, RA

Artificial Intelligence Lead

Joseph Schulte, Associate AIA, LEED Green Associate

Project Coordinators

Peter Ankerberg

Videsha Bansal, Associate AIA

Jack Glavin

Renee Guo

Jun Li

Lin Theist

Bernadette McCarthy

Eli Metcalf

Erika Studney

Carter Thulin

Meredith Vander Loon

Head of Marketing & Communications

Gabrielle Peterson

Michael Clodgo, AIA

Barbara Dickson, PLA, ASLA

Bryan Hadley, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP-BD+C, CPHC

Max Hanisch, RA, NCARB

Anne Strane, AIA

Associates

Capabilities

SERVICES

  • ARCHITECTURE

  • INTERIOR DESIGN

  • GRAPHIC DESIGN + ILLUSTRATION

SPECIALITIES

  • STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING + MASTER PLANNING

  • REAL ESTATE STRATEGIC CONSULTING

  • NEEDS ASSESSMENT + SPACE PLANNING

  • SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

  • LIVING

  • K-12

  • HIGHER EDUCATION

  • WORKPLACE

  • ARTS + THEATERS

  • SPORTS + REC

  • HOSPITALITY

  • LABORATORY PLANNING

  • HISTORIC RENOVATION + RESTORATION

Team

PARTNERS

  • Eric Risinger

    AIA | NCARB

  • Rusty Walker

    AIA | LEED AP

Eric Risinger, AIA, NCARB

Managing Partner

Eric Risinger, AIA, NCARB

Managing Partner

  • Dennis Vovos

    AIA | LEED AP

TEAM

Associate Principal

  • Michael Clodgo

    ASSOCIATE AIA

  • Barbara Dickson

    PLA | ASLA

  • Bryan Hadley

    AIA | LEED AP-ND | NCARB | CPHC

  • Max Hanisch

    AIA | NCARB

TEAM

Associate

  • Laura Gabel

    AIA

  • Kyla Middleton

  • Anne Strane

    AIA | NCARB | CDT

  • Lu Yuan

    RA

PROCESS

Approach

Each project is unique and has the power to impact how people experience their space.

What makes collaborating with the Holabird & Root team unique is the extent to which we seek to understand each client and their specific project needs. We provide insights, alignments, services, and solutions as a team that uniquely reflect each client we collaborate with.

We employ a process designed with the intention of facilitating collaboration, communication, interaction, and consensus building from project inception through post-occupancy. This is done in support of all efforts to address complex problems with simple, innovative, and durable solutions.

We gather inspiration from each project site, the surrounding context, and the activities that will occur within the space. The resulting design is a physical manifestation of our client’s mission, vision, values, and culture.


PROCESS

Sustainability

Sustainable and efficiency-forward strategies, systems, and materials are inherent in our design process.  While we are proud of our many buildings that have achieved LEED or additional sustainable certifications, we are equally proud to design buildings that will last for decades or transform buildings to meet the demands of future users.

Our studio continues to challenge traditional thinking about what a truly sustainable building is by discovering new materials and strategies, and taking a long-term approach to design. Using these discoveries, our integrated teams of architects and sustainability experts design buildings that require less energy, less repair, and are easy to maintain in the future.