About
Principal: Susan J. van der Meulen, architect
About: Susan is a licensed architect in the State of Illinois since 1983 and a native Chicagoan, a daughter of distinguished Chicago architect John H. van der Meulen (1913-1994). Her experience has been in residential and church interior architecture in the Chicago area.
Education: Master of Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design, 1978; Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, BA 1974; Kenwood Academy, 1970. Continuing education, School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Work history: Harry Weese & Associates, SOM Chicago; Grunsfeld & Associates; Marvin Herman & Associates, 1986-2009, high-end residential work in Chicago.
Projects: Madonna Della Strada Chapel, Chicago, interior liturgical details, 2005-8; much work on Lake Shore Drive renovations.
Teaching: Harrington College of Design, Instructor in Design, 2008-2010. President, Chicago Women in Architecture, 2001-2. Board, Chicago Chapter Society of Architectural Historians, 2011-on.
Contact Information
To Contact: To ask Aries Design about a potential project, please email Susan at sjvandermeulen@yahoo.com. The client is very much valued in the design process, with dialogue being very important to the outcome of the job. An initial conversation should state goals in order to avoid renovation pitfalls, and to assess budget parameters.
Team Member: the Contractor and Consultants
Contractors, sub-contractors and consultants, selected through interviews and a competitive bidding process, add their expertise to each project. The architect can recommend contractors but is also willing to work with the contractor suggested by the Owner.