Dan Wheeler

Dan Wheeler is a founding principal of Wheeler Kearns Architects and is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He works and practices to educate not only colleagues, clients, and students but also himself constantly, about the never-ending potential of architecture to elevate everyday experiences and the great responsibility that comes with this every optimistic endeavor. Dan received his education at the Rhode Island School of Design, including two years study in Rome. Prior to establishing his own practice, he was an Associate and Studio head at Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Chicago (1981-87). Dan is the recipient of a NEA Traveling Fellowship, the CCAIA Young Architect Award, AIA Fellowship and the Chicago Tribune’s “Chicagoan of the Year” in Architecture. Most recently, he received the 2017 AIA Illinois Nathan Ricker Clifford Award for Architectural Education. Dan has served as Interim Director for both the Graham Foundation and the UIC School of Architecture. He has been a consulting architect / educator to the Rural Studio since 2002. He lectures regularly and frequently sits on professional and academic juries. His prolific work and influence span project type; public institutions, non-profit organizations, and private commissions. He draws to see, to test, to explain, and to build places of authenticity. Dan is a registered architect in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, and Arkansas.