Roula Alakiotou, FAIA
Roula, a native of Greece, received her Bachelor of Architecture from University of Illinois Chicago, with Honors & High Distinction in Design in 1975; and a Masters of Architecture, with Honors from University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana in 1978. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), elevated to the membership of the College of Fellows, FAIA; and certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Prior to establishing her firm, she worked with Constantine Doxiadis office "Ekistics" in Athens, on large-scale projects in Middle East, and master planning of decentralizing Athens. In US she worked at Chicago Department of Public Works - City Architect’s Office, on several award-winning urban historic projects, such as renovation/re-adaptation of Navy Pier; restoration and physical raising/relocation of Widow Clark’s House; and several community service based projects. She authored the Chicago Beautification Manual, designing guidelines for business strips facades, signage, street parking, and other amenities for neighborhood improvement.
Her firm specializes in large scale public projects, highlighting the breadth and depth of her professional, entrepreneurial, civic and charitable activities.
Among other significant projects: O’Hare International Airport people mover The Remote Station; Southwest Transit 35th/ Archer Station to Midway Airport; State street subway station; Chicago Public Schools; Cook County Corrections Facilities,- the 1600 capacity Div XI Maximum Security Facility, on which the Chicago Tribune architectural critic Blair Kamin wrote “ she brought considerable vision to the job… who melted a tough-minded concern for security with an innovative, humanistic vision…and certain civic presence”; The Residential Treatment Unit 1000 bed capacity and New Intake Facility, which the Correctional News named the "Building for the Future"; Courthouses renovations; 80 acre Monastery Complex in Kenosha Wisconsin; and many commercial & residential renovations.
Served under three mayors as the only architect on Chicago's Zoning Board of Appeals; serves on Chicago’s Building Department Committee on Standards and Tests reviewing/judging building permits that violate code. A co-founder of Architects for Social Responsibility; founder of North Lakeside Cultural Center, and lead the community to acquire /develop Berger Park on North Sheridan Road, on which the Edgewater Society and Museum named her "Living Treasure of Edgewater". Served UIC as an adjunct associate professor, in student work juries; Juror for the 2007 AIA Gold Medal/Firm Award; Mentors international architectural interns from the School of the Art Institute Chicago. Member of The Chicago Network (TCN), The Chicago Architectural Club (CAC), Chicago Women Architects (CWA), and served on the International Board of Directors of the International Women’s Forum (IWF).
Roula, a native of Greece, received her Bachelor of Architecture from University of Illinois Chicago, with Honors & High Distinction in Design in 1975; and a Masters of Architecture, with Honors from University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana in 1978. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), elevated to the membership of the College of Fellows, FAIA; and certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Prior to establishing her firm, she worked with Constantine Doxiadis office "Ekistics" in Athens, on large-scale projects in Middle East, and master planning of decentralizing Athens. In US she worked at Chicago Department of Public Works - City Architect’s Office, on several award-winning urban historic projects, such as renovation/re-adaptation of Navy Pier; restoration and physical raising/relocation of Widow Clark’s House; and several community service based projects. She authored the Chicago Beautification Manual, designing guidelines for business strips facades, signage, street parking, and other amenities for neighborhood improvement.
Her firm specializes in large scale public projects, highlighting the breadth and depth of her professional, entrepreneurial, civic and charitable activities.
Among other significant projects: O’Hare International Airport people mover The Remote Station; Southwest Transit 35th/ Archer Station to Midway Airport; State street subway station; Chicago Public Schools; Cook County Corrections Facilities,- the 1600 capacity Div XI Maximum Security Facility, on which the Chicago Tribune architectural critic Blair Kamin wrote “ she brought considerable vision to the job… who melted a tough-minded concern for security with an innovative, humanistic vision…and certain civic presence”; The Residential Treatment Unit 1000 bed capacity and New Intake Facility, which the Correctional News named the "Building for the Future"; Courthouses renovations; 80 acre Monastery Complex in Kenosha Wisconsin; and many commercial & residential renovations.
Served under three mayors as the only architect on Chicago's Zoning Board of Appeals; serves on Chicago’s Building Department Committee on Standards and Tests reviewing/judging building permits that violate code. A co-founder of Architects for Social Responsibility; founder of North Lakeside Cultural Center, and lead the community to acquire /develop Berger Park on North Sheridan Road, on which the Edgewater Society and Museum named her "Living Treasure of Edgewater". Served UIC as an adjunct associate professor, in student work juries; Juror for the 2007 AIA Gold Medal/Firm Award; Mentors international architectural interns from the School of the Art Institute Chicago. Member of The Chicago Network (TCN), The Chicago Architectural Club (CAC), Chicago Women Architects (CWA), and served on the International Board of Directors of the International Women’s Forum (IWF).