Carol Ross Barney

Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, HASLA, is an Adjunct Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she has taught architecture for nearly 30 years. Founder of Ross Barney Architects in 1981, she was awarded the 2023 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, becoming the first living woman to individually accept the award and only the sixth Chicago architect to win the medal in 60 years. Her career spans nearly 50 years, beginning with work in the United States Peace Corps planning National Parks in Costa Rica.

Barney's research and practice focus on civic space design and the public realm. She believes excellent design is a democratic right that should be welcoming to all. Her work manifests in spaces that enrich metropolitan experiences, buildings that serve as environmental stewards showcasing sustainability, and educational spaces that inspire young minds. She is a leader in advancing equity in the architectural profession, teaching, mentoring, and empowering young architects to contribute to the field's progress.

Carol Ross Barney has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her distinguished career:

• 2023 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal - architecture profession's highest honor
• Plym Traveling Fellowship from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Two AIA COTE Top Ten Awards for sustainable design excellence
• 2005 AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture
• AIA Illinois Firm Award
• AIA Illinois Gold Medal

As an educator at IIT, Barney has mentored generations of architects through her studio courses ARCH 419 and ARCH 420 (Advanced Architecture Studio). Her teaching closely aligns with her practice, exploring topics like water transportation and mixed-use development to spur light manufacturing renaissance. Her mentorship extends beyond the classroom to her architectural practice, where she has guided countless architects who have gone on to establish successful practices and university positions.

Ross Barney Architects operates as a Chicago-based studio dedicated to creating public spaces that enrich quality of life and well-being for all. The studio is a signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment and Architects Advocate, demonstrating its dedication to environmental stewardship. Notable projects include the Chicago Riverwalk, Oklahoma City Federal Building, DuSable Park, and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Master Plan, all reflecting the studio's mission to empower a sense of place, pride, and belonging.