We believe in the promise of people-centered, sustainable design
At Canopy, our work is pragmatic yet imaginative, influenced by a collective design process that reconsiders what’s possible through exploration and research. Our solutions are reflective of the people we serve—whether we’re designing a new green home, a multi-unit housing campus, or a space that celebrates community. With every project, we aim to achieve a thoughtful, enduring design expressive of context and place.
Featured Projects
Creating a built environment in conversation with people and place
Just as form follows function, good design follows context. That’s why we take an investigative approach to every project—relishing in research, learning from the communities we serve and assessing feasibility for short and long-term goals.
Each idea has to pass the real-world tests of its environment, fitting within budget, schedule, and other project constraints. These parameters create the framework for us to design something remarkable yet practical, further nurturing the bonds between people and place.
Recent News
Jigzbik at 2907 W. Irving Park Celebrates Groundbreaking
Jigzbik at 2907 W. Irving Park Celebrates Groundbreaking
The project is designed for multi-generational living including indigenous communities.
Illinois Green Alliance - Encuentro Square Education Series
Illinois Green Alliance - Encuentro Square Education Series
A presentation on sustainable, affordable housing with a special focus on resident health and wellbeing in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood.
Starling wins Community Development Award
Starling wins Community Development Award
Starling was awarded the Driehaus Award for Architectural Excellence at the 31st annual CNDA event.
Canopy really takes the time and the energy to think through all the details of a project. Not just from a design perspective but also from a bigger picture perspective. They care about the communities and it comes through.
Aly Stein, Preservation of Affordable Housing
Our Team
Engaged, participative, collective—that’s Canopy
Our team is as unique as the clients and communities we serve. While Canopy’s roots lie in social impact and equity-based design, we have built an architectural staff coming from varied professional, academic and cultural backgrounds. Each project benefits from our diversity of experiences, our deep curiosity and the global design perspective we nurture through research and travel. Together, they allow for an informed and open-minded belief in what’s possible.
Featured Case Studies
At Canopy, we work with the individuals and communities we serve to enrich everyone
Every person needs a safe and healthy place to be, and to be with others. Canopy exists to create the spaces where people can live, meet, learn and connect.
To do that, we take an investigative approach—relishing in research, conversing with the community and finding out feasibility. Every concept has to pass the real-world tests of the built environment before we firm it up. When it’s practical and built in collaboration with the community, it improves the environment for everyone.
Using very simple materials and just a little bit of color, Canopy can create a very strong building. It is a testament to a good designer. They have a clear vision from the beginning.