Bio:
The great designer, Calli Verkamp graduated from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture. Her experience ranges from single-family residential to adaptive reuse cultural projects including the Chicago Children’s Theatre and The Momentary in Bentonville, Arkansas. She has lectured at the Chicago Architecture Foundation and served as a visiting critic for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Design Studios. She has been involved in several Chicago AIA programs including Bridge and TransFORM.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
My dad was a home-builder and he and my mom built the home I grew up in when I was only 4 years old. My dad’s passion for building things combined with my interest in art and design resulted in my choosing a career in Architecture.

What do you do?
I solicit input from clients and stakeholders, gather historical and current information about a physical site, and then develop a design for a space that (hopefully) seamlessly combines the two.

What excites you in the work you do?
I’m both humbled and excited by the permanence of built work. I’m still in awe when something I’ve drawn gets constructed, and I love the moment when clients start to see the vision coming to life.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
I’m inspired when I’m lucky enough to be on a team with other designers, engineers, clients, and contractors that value collaboration. When everyone realizes that we are all working towards the same goal, something truly special can be created.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
I’m honored to be contributing to a project that is located in my home region of Northwest Arkansas. I feel lucky to be able to work on a project that will directly benefit my family and hometown.

Featured Project Name: 
Chicago Children’s Theatre
 
Featured Project Location: 
Chicago, IL
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2017

Role in Featured Project: 
Lead Project Architect
 
Featured Project Description:
The Chicago Children’s Theatre transformed a deteriorating 1948 police station into a 149-seat studio performance space, classrooms, administration, support space, and a lobby with an area for storytelling, while making the building fully accessible and achieving great design within a humble budget. The design exposes what typically hides “behind the curtain to emphasize process and reinforce the idea that all program spaces can be places to explore the artistry, craft , and technology of the theater.

Photography Credit:
Tom Harris Architectural Photography