Chicago’s Eckenhoff Saunders Architects names new principal

Craig Smith has joined Chicago-based architecture, planning and design firm Eckenhoff Saunders Architects as principal.

Smith will focus on broadening the firm’s higher-education, hospitality, athletic-facility and performing-arts portfolio.

Smith joins ESA after serving as principal and Chicago Studio Leader at Ratio Architects. There, he was instrumental in leading multiple higher-education and hospitality projects, including the restoration of University Hall at the University of Illinois Chicago, the Hope College Library Master Plan and multiple Graduate Hotels for Adventurous Journeys.

Prior to Ratio, Smith was a principal at Loebl Schlossman & Hackl. During his time there he oversaw projects such as the University of Illinois at Springfield Founders Residence Hall, the College of DuPage Culinary and Hospitality Building and Northwestern University’s Ryan Field Renovation.