About
Susan J. van der Meulen, architect
About: Susan has been a licensed architect in the State of Illinois since 1983. She is a longtime Chicagoan, daughter of the noted Chicago architect John H. van der Meulen (1913-1994) and Norma Wolcott van der Meulen (1925-2022). Her experience is in luxury residential design and church interior architecture in the Chicago area.
Education: Master of Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design, 1978; Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH,1974; Kenwood HS, 1970.
Work history: Harry Weese & Associates, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, architects, Chicago; Hillhouse Architects, CO (1978-1982); Grunsfeld & Associates; Marvin Herman & Associates, 1983-2009, high-end residential work in Chicago, emphasizing interior renovation.
Projects: Madonna Della Strada Chapel, Loyola U, Chicago, interior liturgical details, 2005-7; work on multiple Lake Shore Drive renovations and North Shore houses.
Teaching: Harrington College of Design, Instructor in Design, 2008-2010. President, Chicago Women in Architecture, 2001-2. Board, Chicago Chapter Society of Architectural Historians, since 2011.
Contact Information
To Contact: Please ask Aries Design about a potential project, but first email Susan at sjvandermeulen@yahoo.com (and a cell phone number will be provided). The client is highly valued in the design process, with dialogue being critical to the outcome of the job. An initial conversation should discuss goals and 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 trusted contractors but is also willing to work with the contractor suggested by the Owner.