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• Our Process
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• Principals
• James R. Lencioni
• Walter Pancewicz
• Joseph Vajda
• Thomas Smiciklas
• Frank Cavanaugh
• Associates

Frank received the degree of Bachelors of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1986 with a minor in Business Administration. He began his career working with his IIT Professor and single most influential design mentor, Ronald Krueck.  He worked at the office of Krueck and Olsen Architects on exclusive residential and commercial projects including a Lincoln Park concrete and glass residence. Frank’s abstract rendering of the house appears in Krueck and Sexton’s book Work In Progress. After several years at Krueck and Olsen Frank went to the office of Lohan Associates where he became an Associate and designed several corporate and institutional projects. Most notable was the classically designed DePaul University Library in Lincoln Park and the original master plan for St. Xavier University.

 

In 1995 Frank joined Aria Group and was made a Partner in 2000. While acting as project designer on a variety of projects Frank also offers guidance on global design issues within the firm. On the corporate side, Frank provides overall coordination of the marketing efforts as related to the principals overall marketing goals.  

 

Frank’s first design project with Aria Group was the Brookfield Zoo “South American Market Place”. Other larger retail and mixed-use projects include City Park Retail Center, The Esplanade of Algonquin, and proposals for a mixed-use retail, medical office and hotel development in Oak Park. Hospitality and Entertainment designs include the original Blue Chip Resort Hotel and Casino in Michigan City, Indiana; Emerald Casino, Durty Nellie’s Restaurant and Band Room and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center entry addition. Frank is currently developing master plans and building designs for Rosemont’s Entertainment District featuring many exciting restaurant and entertainment venues. 

 

Frank has also assisted with initiating various restaurant concepts including Wildfire, California Pizza Kitchen and new building designs for Kona Grill and McCormick and Schmick’s in Oak Brook, Illinois. Frank has also developed many concept plans for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.  

 

In addition to producing architectural renderings for his designs, Frank also works at photography, drawing, plein air painting and studio painting. He has completed several painted mural commissions for his architectural clients as well as other publicly displayed work and is a member of the Oak Park Art League.