Lawrence Kearns
Principal of Wheeler Kearns Architects
Wheeler Kearner Architect Firm
Chicago, IL USA
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Worked at local grocery store in high school. I loved sports and played soccer throughout school. As an outreach, our store had a softball team that played at a local federal prison.
After being accepted at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh for graphic arts, a high school friend told me I should be an architect since I was good at math and art. I didn't know any architects.
After learning about architects, I switched to go to the University of Miami, where I earned a scholarship.
I worked for a professor during college and we designed the buildings that ultimately housed our newly formed School of Architecture.
After graduating, I wrote to firms in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. A firm in Chicago hired me immediately and I worked on a large project in London called Canary Wharf for three years.
I then left to join the firm I helped grow to twenty architects and have worked here for 35 years.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
St Brendan High School
St Brendan High School
Career
Principal of Wheeler Kearns Architects
Design buildings to solve clients problems and needs.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Design
Engineering
Problem Solving
Day to Day
I work closely with my team to complete projects and fulfill clients' needs and solve their problems.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Visit an architect's office if you can. Participate in a summer architecture course if one is offered by a nearby college or university.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"You won't be good at this. The industry is full of garbage."
Q&A
Interviewed By
Anonymous Student
Student undefined
