Annabell Ren

Annabell Ren is an Adjunct Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), where she contributes to the Department of Architecture within the College of Architecture. She is also a co-founder and principal at Converge Architecture, a firm in Pilsen, Chicago, focused on community-based projects that integrate urban environments with participatory planning and design processes. Her work emphasizes sustainable urban development and collaborative design strategies.

• Education: Bachelor of Architecture from IIT and a Master of Urban Design from Harvard Graduate School of Design
• Roles:
  • Adjunct Professor at IIT
  • Co-founder/Principal at Converge Architecture
  • Member of IIT’s Community Engagement Council
  • Co-chair of the Associate Board of Chinese American Service League

At Converge Architecture, Annabell leads locally driven initiatives and has secured prestigious recognitions, including the AIA Chicago Design Excellent Award. Her firm also supports clients in obtaining competitive grants, such as the Chicago Prize from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation. Her research and practice center on improving urban spaces through community engagement, equitable planning, and adaptive design methodologies.

• Awards:
  • AIA Chicago’s Design Excellent Award

Annabell teaches courses such as ARCH 201: Architecture Studio III - House, ARCH 202: Architecture Studio IV - Multiple, and ARCH 468: Topics in Drawing From Travel at IIT, reflecting her expertise in architectural design and urban travel studies.