Wright Heerema Architects has hired architect Richard (Rick) Fawell as principal. At Wright Heerema, Fawell will lead and grow the firm’s Hospitality & Mixed-Use practice, directing conceptual and design development, client and team coordination and management.
Fawell brings more than 35 years of experience designing walkable, livable and thoughtfully planned destinations, including large mixed-use developments, hotels and resorts, multi-family communities, government buildings, higher education facilities, theaters, and master-planned developments.
Previously, Fawell was with VOA, where he served as a Design Principal and Group Leader for more than two decades, including managing principal for the VOA China offices in both Beijing and Shanghai, China, completing 30 masterplans and 30 design projects.
In Chicago, his projects have included the Navy Pier Renovation and Reconstruction program including Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Skyline Stage; the renovation of Marriott Michigan Avenue; the design of North Shore Westin Hotel and Conference Center; Rosemont Intercontinental; Lombard Westin and Conference Center; University Center vertical campus; and outside of Chicago, the Milwaukee Theater; Colleges of Business at Illinois State University and the University of Wisconsin; and student recreation centers at the University of Illinois and at Fairmont State in West Virginia, winning AIA design awards and LEED certifying several of these projects.
Fawell began his career with Cambridge, Mass.-based firm Benjamin Thompson Associates after working for four years in Helsinki, Finland. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture, and a Master of Business Administration, from the University of Illinois.
