Brush Architects

05/29/2026

Thank you AIA Illinois for standing up for the profession. Yes. The Profession of architecture remains a Professional Degree in Illinois!

05/12/2026

Thank you National Park Service and your Save Americas Treasures grant for the rehabilitation of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Astronomical Observatory. BRUSH Architects, LLC wrote the feasibility study Historic Structures report in 2015 and Phase 1 of the resoration was designed with Jan Blok of The Structural Group and middleton of cost consulting.
Construction is now underway with Berglund Construction. brush team includes Mary Brush, FAIA , Laura Culberson Knapp, Jacob Peters , Isaac Harms, Laura Soufan and Sophie Levy-Kohn. Thank you to Bryan Dunne , sutter, Michael Svec , and our UIUC team Tarun Kumar , Joe Villanti, AIA , and lee craig. And UIUC Friends of the Observatory.

04/26/2026

BRUSH Architects is thrilled to sponsor the Chicago Women In Architecture spring brunch! What fun. With levy kohn, Mary Brush, Isaac Harms, Laura Soufan

04/01/2026

It takes the special energy that is Brush Architects to truly enjoy the potential within our projects of abandoned buildings. So many ideas. We are building a great team to bring our clients’ dream into reality. Stay tuned!!

03/27/2026

14 years ago Brush Architects wrote the feasibility study historic structures report for the restoration of the Astronomic Observatory at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Today we kicked off the project! Stay tuned for progress images. Mary Brush, Knapp,
University team: Tarun Kumar, Joe villanti, Derek Fultz
observatory team Bryan Dunne, Craig Sutter, Nathan Davis Payne,
Berglund Construction Co team Bill Maniatis, structural engineering by The Structural Group, Ltd., blok, Bettinger.

03/23/2026

https://www.gertrudelemppkerbismemorial.com

gertrude lempp kerbis memorial monument design competition "to shape space is to shape possibilities"gertrude lempp kerbis photo courtesy of chris deford mission statementa design competition based on the site of the gertrude lempp kerbis (glk) plot in graceland cemetery, located at the corner of cl...

03/13/2026

Brush Architects provided pro bono services to Landmarks Illinois to assess the Rockford Elk’s club. We found the building to be in need of utilities and finishes and roof and masonry repairs but otherwise prime for adaptive reuse. The city did not agree and approved demolition. A great opportunity squandered. This is a sad day.

02/27/2026

Please sign the petition for protections of historic government buildings currently up for sale by the federal government Some are protected, Some are not. Despite protections. Some have already been lost. What happens to the interiors? The artwork? Fixtures, chandeliers, the building artifacts? Please comment

Require the Trump administration to follow preservation laws

02/25/2026

Public comment period is open for the new East Wing. Please respond. Pro. Con. We the people need to educate this new arts board who get to decide what will be done. This is ‘the people’s house’ not the personal property of the president.

Good links here in case anyone is interested. Please comment, even if it is to say that the GSA and Section 106 and preservation and even Design Excellence guidelines are necessary. The White House is not the ‘property’ of the current president. They are just the current tenant. The building and grounds etc are the property of the federal government and the American people = of course we don’t have access to it. National Trust to Everyone (3:42 PM)
As a reminder if you have a question for the speakers, please use the ‘Q&A’ function
National Trust to Everyone (3:48 PM)
Resources Related to the White House Construction Project: https://savingplaces.org/white-house-project
National Trust to Everyone (4:00 PM)
As a reminder, link to recordings: https://savingplaces.org/upcoming-webinars
FAQ—please review information in this document: https://savingplaces.org/stories/construction-of-the-white-house-ballroom-frequently-asked-questions
National Trust to Everyone (4:04 PM)
Public Comment Period Open: White House Ballroom Proposal: https://savingplaces.org/public-comment-period-white-house-ballroom
Proposed renderings: https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/
National Trust to Everyone (4:05 PM)
Resources Related to the White House Construction Project: https://savingplaces.org/white-house-project
Public Comment Period Open: White House Ballroom Proposal: https://savingplaces.org/public-comment-period-white-house-ballroom
National Trust to Everyone (4:12 PM)
National Trust Comments to the National Capital Planning Commission: https://savingplaces.org/national-trust-comments-to-ncpc
National Trust to Everyone (4:24 PM)
Public Comment Period Open: White House Ballroom Proposal: https://savingplaces.org/public-comment-period-white-house-ballroom
National Trust Comments to the National Capital Planning Commission: https://savingplaces.org/national-trust-comments-to-ncpc

We respectfully submit the following comments concerning the current proposal by the Office of the Executive Residence (EXR) for the construction of a 90,000 square-foot ballroom addition to the White House.

02/23/2026

Also by architects Rapp and Rapp, the Jersey Theatre was one of the few major U.S. movie palaces not yet restored or demolished. Well underway, it will reopen this year.

https://www.hobokengirl.com/loews-jersey-theatre-jersey-city-reopening-2026/