Interview by Iker Gil
Edited by Oscar Riera Ojeda
Principle Photography by Kate Joyce Studios, Ross Barney Architects, and Kendall McCaugherty, Hall+Merrick+McCaugherty

For her dedication to design of noble, everyday projects, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, Honorary ASLA, is the recipient of the 2023 American Institute of Architects Gold Medal. A renowned Architect for public and civic space design, she has spent her career creating exceptional public spaces that have made a lasting impact. Her designs have become cultural icons, showcasing her belief in the transformative power of the built environment on our daily lives.

A recognized urbanist, mentor, and educator, she firmly advocates that excellent design should be accessible to all, emphasizing that it is a right rather than a privilege. For almost two decades, her studio was involved in projects along Chicago’s rivers, including the design of the iconic Chicago Riverwalk.

Carol is a graduate of the University of Illinois and has served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica, where she contributed to nationalpark planning. She has taught an advanced Design Studio at the Illinois Institute of Technology for over thirty years, sharing her expertise and shaping the next generation of architects. With her focus on design excellence, social responsibility, and generosity, Barney is an unrivaled architect for the people. Throughout all of her work, she has endeavored to make the world a better place and, in doing so, made an indelible mark on the profession. Her pioneering approach and ethics exemplify the highest aspirations of architecture.

Public Architecture is the soul of Ross Barney’s practice. This book celebrates the history and character of the people she designs for, representing our collected and societal aspirations and goals. Carol Ross Barney has proven time and again that she is truly The People’s Architect. 

The People’s Architect
Carol Ross Barney

Book Size: 8.5 x 11 in / 216 x 279 mm
Format: Portrait
Pages: 200
Language: English
Photographs: 200
Illustrations: 25
Edition/ISBN: Hardcover (978-1-946226-63-1)

// 'Carol’s architecture rises directly out of the needs and aspirations of the people who use it ... Over a remarkable career she never quite loses the voice of the people. With little ego and tremendous grit, she is remaking the public sphere in ways that preserve democracy and distribute benefits fairly.' Avinash Rajagopal — Editor-in-Chief, Metropolis Magazine