Robert Benson
Robert Benson is an Associate Principal and Design Director for the Chicago Studio of 4240 Architecture. His cumulative project experience is varied and includes hospitality, mixed-use, commercial architecture, corporate interiors, exhibition centers, low-income housing, high-end custom housing, multi family housing and park planning.
Most recently, he has been honored with placement in Building Design + Construction's 2007 top 40 under 40 national program which recognizes outstanding leaders in the AEC industry. He lead the team that received two AIA urban design awards for 4240's innovative design for a community public space which is variable at the whim of the community, and 4240 Architecture's collaboration with Thornton Tomasetti Engineers on the concept for the world's longest clear span pedestrian bridge. This bridge also won the 2007 top SPARK! award for architectural design from the International Spark Design Awards.
He has been a finalist, published and exhibited in a number of national and international design competitions and exhibitions including 'Speculative Chicago - a Compendium of Architectural Innovation'.
After finishing his graduate work, Robert was invited to attend the Ecole D'art Americaines-Ecole des Beaux Arts program in Fontainebleau, France where he received awards for his Arc et Senans and Chateau installations.
Robert is currently teaching a design studio at the University of Illinois at Chicago in addition to being an invited critic at numerous schools and a valued judge on multiple design competition committees. Robert was a finalist in the AIA Chicago's 2003 'Emerging Visions in Architecture' award. He has also been a member of the Chicago Architectural Club's Board of Directors and was elected president for the 2004-05 and 2005-6 seasons.
Robert is also an accomplished artist and was recently featured in a solo show for his photography entitled "no thing" at the TOJO Gallery, Chicago.
Master of Architecture, AIA Gold Medal, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign