September 25, 2024 (CHICAGO) — The Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) annually honors a cohort of individuals and organizations for their outstanding work shaping the built environment and advocating on behalf of historic places. This fall, the Society will confer recognition upon: Berglund Construction and Berglund Preservation Group; Walker Johnson, FAIA, co-founder and former President of JLK Architects; Laurie Petersen, lecturer, writer, docent, and editor of the American Institute of Architects' AIA Guide to Chicago; and Ernest "Ernie" C. Wong, FASLA, principal at site design group, ltd., and Chair of the Chicago Landmarks Commission.
They will be recognized at SAH's annual gala, SAH Celebrates, taking place Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Racquet Club of Chicago.
In a unique coming together of architectural practice and academic study, SAH honors the contributions of those who create, critique, curate, or campaign for spaces both iconic and humble. The Society applauds this year's honorees for their decades of experience preserving architectural legacies in Chicago and the Midwest and their engagement of the public in meaning-making around public and private spaces.
In addition to being a program of recognition, SAH Celebrates is the Society's largest yearly fundraising opportunity. Proceeds support SAH educational programs and publications, including the award-winning Buildings of the United States book series and SAH Archipedia, the Society’s open-access online encyclopedia of U.S. architecture and landscapes. Raised funds also support the Society's stewardship of the internationally-renowned Charnley-Persky House (1891–92), which serves as its international headquarters. Designed by Louis Sullivan with assistance from his junior draftsman Frank Lloyd Wright, the Gold Coast home is today recognized as a National Historic Landmark and Chicago Landmark for its pivotal place in modern residential design.
SAH Celebrates tickets are on sale for $210 per person (including a $60 tax-deductible donation to SAH), and may be purchased online at sah.org/programs/sah-celebrates starting September 25. Guests will indulge in gourmet cuisine, groove to the beats of a live DJ, and receive an exclusive preview of new programming for the coming year.
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact SAH Executive Director Ben Thomas, bthomas@sah.org, or call 312-573-1365 for more information.
Event Details:
SAH Celebrates
6:00–9:00 PM
Friday, November 8, 2024
The Racquet Club of Chicago (1365 North Dearborn St)
About the 2024 Awardees:
Berglund Construction
For over 100 years Berglund Construction has been a vital part of the built environment both historic and modern in the Midwest. In addition to taking on ground-up constructions, additions, and renovations, Berglund has played a significant part in the restoration and preservation of many of the Midwest ’s landmarks and historic buildings, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL, Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Plano, IL, the Rotunda Skylight at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL, and the Grand Army of the Republic Rooms at the Chicago Cultural Center. Berglund has received national recognition, including the Construction Excellence Award from the U.S. General Services Administration and the National Preservation Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
At SAH Celebrates, the Society of Architectural Historians will honor Berglund and the company’s Restoration and Preservation Group for being leaders in innovation for architecturally significant constructions and for setting a superior standard when it comes to restoring and preserving historic buildings and architecture. We will also acknowledge the integral role that Berglund played in the creation of the conservation management plan for the Charnley-Persky House and the company’s continuing assistance with the monitoring of this National Historic Landmark designed by Louis Sullivan with assistance from his junior draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Walker Johnson
Walker Johnson is co-founder of Johnson Lasky Architects, one of the most established preservation architecture firms in Chicago. JLK Architects has completed both civic, private and transportation projects in the city throughout its 32-year history.
Walker’s 40+ years of architectural experience includes stints with Holabird & Root and Kettle Moraine Land Trust. His preservation projects include restoration work on Howard Van Doren Shaw’s Ragdale House in Lake Forest, the Marquette Building in the Loop, and St. Clement’s Church in Lincoln Park. Walker has served on the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council and on the SAH board. He is a long-term member of the Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation and was President of the Cliff Dwellers Arts Club from 1990-92. At SAH Celebrates, we will honor Walker for his lifelong commitment to historic preservation and innovative architecture.
Laurie Petersen
Laurie Petersen, a distinguished member of the Chicago architecture community, is a writer, lecturer, and docent. Laurie is the Editor of the 3rd and 4th editions of the AIA Guide to Chicago and was the Associate Editor for the first two editions. She was a writer for Chicago Architect for over 30 years. A prolific lecturer, Laurie has spoken at multiple cultural institutions throughout the Chicagoland area. She has been a docent at Crow Island School in Winnetka for over twenty years, and serves on the Stewardship Group for the school, which is a National Historic Landmark designed by Eliel and Eero Saarinen with Perkins, Wheeler & Will. Laurie is both a docent at the Charnley-Persky House and a member of its board of directors. She has been a member of SAH since 2012 and served as co-chair for SAH Celebrates in 2022.
At SAH Celebrates, the Society of Architectural Historians will honor Laurie for her long-term involvement with SAH and the Charnley-Persky House, her ongoing commitment to public outreach and communication, and for making Chicago’s architectural wonders meaningful to a worldwide audience. Laurie’s efforts align perfectly with SAH’s mission to promote the study and interpretation of architecture for the benefit of all.
Ernie C. Wong
Ernest (Ernie) C. Wong is the Founding Principal and President of site design group, ltd. Established in 1990, site is a landscape architecture and urban design firm with a focus on thoughtful community-oriented urban spaces. This focus on contextually designed public open spaces and urban parks is manifested in the creation of the Ping Tom Memorial Park, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year. Ernie also serves on many public service organizational jury boards, such as the Driehaus Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design and as the Chair of the Chicago Landmarks Commission. As Chair of the Commission, Ernie is an ex offcio member of CPH’s Board of Directors. At SAH Celebrates we will honor Ernie for his commitment to creating meaningful architectural landscapes and for his community outreach and service.
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The Society of Architectural Historians promotes the study, interpretation and conservation of architecture, design, landscapes and urbanism worldwide. SAH serves a network of local, national and international institutions and individuals who, by vocation or avocation, focus on the built environment and its role in shaping contemporary life. SAH is headquartered in Chicago’s historic Charnley-Persky House, one of the few extant Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright residences. The Society publishes its quarterly print Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians (JSAH) and the Buildings of the United States book series, organizes study tours, and hosts the SAH Annual Conference. SAH’s digital resources include SAH Archipedia, a media-rich online encyclopedia of American architecture, and SAHARA, a shared online image archive for teaching and research. To learn more about SAH or to become a member, visit sah.org.
