Morgante Wilson Architects Promotes Three to Associate Principal

Evanston, Ill.-based Morgante Wilson Architects, Ltd., one of the country’s leading residential and commercial architectural firms, has announced the promotions of John Leonard, 44, K. Tyler, 40, and Mike Shively, 35, to associate principal from associate.

“These professionals have shown amazing creativity and ingenuity in their respective architecture and design disciplines,” said Elissa Morgante, co-principal of Morgante Wilson Architects. “John’s passion for details and materials has made our clients’ visions become reality. Under K.’s leadership, our company’s interiors department has flourished. And Mike has helped put Morgante Wilson on the map for LEED certified residential projects.”

Leonard joined Morgante Wilson Architects in 2001 and is currently the project architect for the interior design of a new 15,000-square-foot house in Winnetka as well as an existing house in Wilmette. He is also project architect for several new-construction North Shore homes, ranging from 4,200 to 9,910 square feet, and is overseeing three house renovation projects – two in Wilmette and one in Evanston.

“Being able to work on so many different types of projects from start to finish really plays into my skill set as an architect,” Leonard said. “And I could not have found a better firm that shares the same values I do in seeing clients as creative partners in the design process than Morgante Wilson. It’s inspiring to work at a firm where one of the underlying goals is to enhance their clients’ daily lives.”

Prior to joining Morgante Wilson Architects, Leonard was a project manager at Pappageorge Haymes Partners. He received a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Architecture School.

Tyler joined Morgante Wilson Architects in 2007 and, in conjunction with Elissa Morgante, headed up the firm’s in-house interior design division. She previously was the senior merchandise manager for Baker Furniture and had been a home accessories buyer for Neiman Marcus. Before venturing into interior design, Tyler was a senior auditor with Price Waterhouse Coopers. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and she studied interior design at Harrington College of Design in Chicago.

“The ability to provide our clients a comprehensive, cohesive custom home with strong architectural and interior design has been an amazing asset not only to our clients, but to our firm,” Morgante said. “K.’s contributions to the company via the growth and success of the interiors department have been recognized through beautiful spreads in publications like Traditional Home and Chicago Luxe. But the biggest testament to K.’s ability and aesthetic is clients love working with her and want us to follow them with each new interior design project they undertake. ”

Shively joined MWA in 2004 after receiving a master’s degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico. He leads a three-person design team managing all aspects of the project from conceptual development through design, bidding, permitting, construction and architectural interiors.

“I love collaborating with our staff, clients, contractors, artisans, and vendors in exploiting every opportunity to create sublime spaces filled with natural light and crafted in beautiful materials,” said Shively, whose work has been featured in the Huffington Post and Apartment Therapy.  “We want to show our clients how they should aspire to live and how a well-designed home can make life simpler, easier, more convenient, and more comfortable.”

Shively’s architectural work has also been highlighted in the Ricci Kofoid Residence, which was featured on the cover of CS Interiors, and the Estey Residence, which is the only LEED certified home in Glenview and one of the first LEED Gold homes on the North Shore. 

About Morgante Wilson Architects: 

Morgante Wilson Architects, Ltd. is an architecture, interior design and urban planning firm specializing in residential and commercial design, as well as LEED certification. Founded in 1988, Morgante Wilson Architects has designed more than 400 projects throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Morgante Wilson has received AIA Chicago’s prestigious “Young Architect Award,” AIA Special Recognition Award for Interiors, as well as awards for several historic rehabilitation projects. The firm’s work has been featured in an array of noteworthy publications ranging from Chicago Luxe to Traditional Home, while its projects have been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, The Chicago Architectural Foundation and the Chicago Athenaeum. For more information on the company, visit www.morgantewilson.com.

Editors:           

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Kim Manning at kmanning@taylorjohnson.com or (312) 267-4527.