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Patricia Saldaña Natke facts for kids

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Patricia Saldaña Natke
Patricia Saldaña Natke.jpg
Born 1964 (age 60–61)
Nationality Mexican American
Alma mater University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.Arch., 1986)
Occupation Architect
Practice UrbanWorks, Ltd.
Buildings La Casa Student Housing, Galewood Elementary Charter School, Gary Green Link masterplan.

Patricia Saldaña Natke (born in 1964 in Chicago, Illinois) is a talented American architect. She is the founder and president of UrbanWorks, Ltd. This company is based in Chicago and focuses on architecture, interior design, and city planning.

About Patricia Saldaña Natke

Patricia Saldaña Natke is a founding partner of UrbanWorks. This company designs buildings, plans cities, and creates beautiful interior spaces. She has designed over 5,000 homes. She has also worked on many office buildings and university projects. More than 65 public schools have been renovated or built new by her team.

Before starting UrbanWorks, Patricia worked for other architecture firms in Chicago. She was a leader in the architecture community. She chaired the National AIA Diversity Committee for the American Institute of Architects. She also led Chicago Women in Architecture. This group supports women in the field.

Her Education and Teaching

Patricia Saldaña Natke studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She earned her degree in architecture there in 1986. She has also taught at several universities. These include the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology. She has also lectured at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Recognitions and Awards

Patricia Saldaña Natke has received many honors for her work. In 2014, she was named one of the "50 Chicago Designers" by Newcity. Crain’s Chicago Business called her one of "Chicago's Emerging Grand Designers." In 2018, she became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. This is a very high honor for architects.

Key Projects and Awards

Patricia Saldaña Natke and UrbanWorks have won many awards. These awards celebrate their excellent designs. Here are some of the notable projects and honors:

  • Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (2018): This is a top honor for architects.
  • AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award (2017): For A Safe Haven: Affordable Veterans Housing. This project helps veterans find homes.
  • American Architecture Award (2016): For Galewood Elementary School. This award recognizes outstanding building design.
  • AIA Illinois Mies Van Der Rohe Award (2016): For the Cermak Green Line Station. This is a major award for architecture in Illinois.
  • Chicago Building Congress Merit Award (2013): For La Casa Student Housing. This project provides homes for students.
  • Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design (2013): First Place for La Casa Student Housing. This award honors designs that improve communities.
  • AIA Chicago Small Project Honor Award (2011): For the Automobile Container. This shows great design in smaller projects.
  • AIA Chicago Regional & Urban Design Award (2011): For Big. Bold. Visionary. Groundplanes for Gary. This award is for large-scale urban planning.
  • Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design (2010): First Place for Veterans Memorial Campus at Archer Heights. Another award for community-focused design.
  • AIA Chicago Urban Design Award for Excellence in Architecture (2009): For the Chicago 2016 Olympic Master Plan. This recognized the planning for a potential Olympic bid.
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