I switched my major from Advertising to Architecture because I couldn’t see myself pointing to “Tony the Tiger” commercials as my legacy. My transition to architecture actually came to be at a Denny’s Restaurant in Schaumburg before my senior year in college. I was sitting with some friends discussing my career choice crisis. We made a list of two dozen possible careers and one by one, like the old “Cat in the Hat” story, started crossing out all the ones that were not to be. The last one standing was architecture.

- Eric Pepa

About:

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Prior to founding the firm, Eric was a project architect in the Chicago area, overseeing large residential and commercial projects. Early projects included work for Chicago Public Schools and master planning international campuses for the University of Nations

Over the years Eric has served as an adjunct faculty member for the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as Judson College School of Architecture. He is actively involved in preservation and revitalization efforts in the City of Elgin, Illinois, serving on Elgin’s Heritage Commission and as co-chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Association Design Committee.

Eric received both his Bachelor’s degree in Communications and his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has broad interests in historic preservation, philosophy, the arts and sciences, and town planning. A lifelong artist, Eric is especially adept at being able to sit with a client at their site, review their “wish list” and sketch out creative, intriguing solutions to any architectural challenge.

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Certifications: 

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• Professional Architectural Registration, State of Illinois, 1994

• ​Professional Architectural Registration, State of Wisconsin,  2006

 

Awards:

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• 2005 Illinois Main Street Award for renovation / design- Demi and Cooper Advertising renovation of former Elks Lodge

• 2006 Illinois Main Street Award (DNA Design Committee)- Block Walk Report