What Eckenhoff Saunders Architects does

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects (ESA) is a privately held Chicago-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm founded in 1983 by Walt Eckenhoff. The firm provides full-service architecture, interior design, master planning, sustainable design, historic preservation, space planning, facility assessments, and LEED Certification across healthcare, education, hospitality, non-profit, commercial, cultural, industrial, multi-family residential, and workplace market sectors. ESA's most prominent vertical is healthcare, with multiple major Chicago-area health systems (Rush, Endeavor/NorthShore, Northwestern Memorial, Howard Brown Health, Ascension, Loyola, Duly Health and Care, Advocate) as enterprise clients alongside institutional developers such as Sterling Bay. The firm employs nearly 50 architects and interior design professionals at its One Prudential Plaza headquarters in Chicago's Loop and primarily serves the Chicago metropolitan area and Midwest, with occasional projects elsewhere.

ESA's design and delivery stack is anchored by Building Information Modeling using Autodesk Revit Architecture and Navisworks, allowing multi-discipline coordination across architecture, MEP/FP, structural, civil, cost estimating, and construction teams within a single 3D model. A dedicated internal BIM Quality Assurance Team standardizes model quality and supports continuing professional development across the office. Sustainability is an explicit platform commitment: ESA is a registered USGBC Silver LEED Member and an AIA 2030 Commitment signatory, reporting annually through AIA's Design Data Exchange.

The firm operates a pure professional-services revenue model, generating income through project-by-project fees from pre-design through construction administration. Go-to-market is direct client engagement through business development, referrals, and competitive RFPs, with multi-year, multi-phase engagements as the primary commercial structure (e.g., Rush, Endeavor, Sterling Bay, Howard Brown Health, Duly). The firm has no resellers, intermediaries, or external institutional investors, with awards, architectural publications, and thought-leadership speaking engagements used as supporting credibility channels rather than as primary lead-generation.

Name

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects

Legal name

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects

Website

https://esadesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects is a privately held, Chicago-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm founded in 1983 that delivers full-service design across healthcare, education, hospitality, commercial, cultural, multi-family, and workplace sectors for institutional and enterprise clients in the Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Architecture design services
• Interior design services
• Master planning services
• Healthcare facility design
• LEED sustainable design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Full-service architecture firm providing architecture, sustainable design, site analysis, masterplanning, historic preservation, programming studies, interior design, facility assessments, space planning, and feasibility studies. Revenue generated through professional service fees for design and construction administration from project inception through completion.
2. Interior Design Services: Interior design services including texture, pattern, color and material palette design, creating environments with rich landscape infused with meaning. Partnering with architecture to provide comprehensive design solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects is a Chicago-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm delivering full-service building design from pre-design through construction administration. The firm serves healthcare, educational, hospitality, non-profit, commercial, financial, industrial, cultural, multi-family, residential, and workplace clients, with a particular focus on healthcare facility design across the Chicago metropolitan area and Midwest region.

Product overview

Eckenhoff Saunders Architects is a Chicago-based architecture, planning, and interior design firm offering a comprehensive suite of design services. The firm's core offerings include Architecture Services, Interior Design Services, and Masterplanning Services, supported by specialized modules including Sustainable Design, LEED Certification, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Historic Preservation, Space Planning, and Facility Assessments. Founded in 1983, the firm serves diverse markets including healthcare, education, hospitality, commercial, cultural, industrial, infrastructure, multi-family residential, and workplace sectors. The firm utilizes BIM technology (Autodesk Revit Architecture and Navisworks) as part of its design process and is committed to sustainable design through AIA 2030 Commitment participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Full-service architecture including design, construction documentation, and construction administration for diverse building types including healthcare, educational, hospitality, commercial, cultural, and institutional facilities. Services span from pre-design through construction administration for organizations requiring new construction, renovation, and expansion projects.
• Interior Design Services Interior design services focusing on textures, patterns, colors, and materials to create environments that communicate character and mood, working in partnership with architecture to provide meaningful spaces for clients.
• Masterplanning Services Strategic planning services guiding clients through survey, assessment, programming, planning, and budgeting processes to develop comprehensive site and facility plans.
• Sustainable Design and LEED Certification Sustainable design services supporting AIA 2030 Commitment goals, including LEED Certification and energy-efficient building solutions, provided as a registered USGBC Silver LEED Member.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) Three-dimensional building information modeling using Autodesk Revit Architecture and Navisworks, enabling all members of the design team (architects, MEP/FP engineers, structural engineers, civil engineers, cost estimators, and contractors) to work from a single coordinated model. Includes a dedicated BIM Quality Assurance Team that reviews standards and leads continuing professional development.
• Historic Preservation Specialized preservation services for historic buildings and landmarks, supporting renovation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of historically significant structures.
• Space Planning and Facility Assessments Strategic space planning services for optimizing functional layouts and space utilization, paired with comprehensive facility assessment services to evaluate building conditions and recommend improvements.

Quantifiable outcome

• First client still works with firm after 40 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sterling BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based real estate development firm; ESA has partnered on multiple major projects including 345 N Morgan (230,000 sf commercial office building in Fulton Market), Hyatt House Chicago/West Loop-Fulton Market (14-story, 167,000 sf hotel), and various commercial developments. Sterling Bay is one of ESA's most frequent development partners.
• RushcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system including Rush University Medical Center; ESA has completed multiple projects for Rush including Rush South Loop, Rush West Loop outpatient facility (6,000 sf), Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center in Lisle (55,000 sf), and Gift of Hope Organ Donor Care Center at RUSH.
• Endeavor HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional health system; ESA partnered on Cardiovascular Institute at Glenbrook Hospital (165,000 sf with 8 Cath Labs, 4 EP Labs, 4 Open-Heart ORs, 2 Hybrid ORs), outpatient behavioral health center in Palatine, and School of Nurse Anesthesia at Evanston Hospital.
• After School MatterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization providing after-school programs for Chicago teens; ESA served as lead architect for new facility at 1065 N. Orleans in Cabrini-Green neighborhood (featuring black box theater, gymnasium, culinary kitchen, art studios, STEM labs, wood shop) and ASM Wing at Gately Park.
• Howard Brown HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidwest's largest LGBTQ healthcare organization; ESA developed new 5-story, 91,000 sf healthcare clinic in Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood providing medical, dental, social, financial, and behavioral health services. Project won multiple industry awards.
• Duly Health and CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-specialty medical group; ESA led design of new 100,000 sf clinic in Schaumburg (reimagining former big-box retail into healthcare destination), dermatology clinic in Lombard, and various specialty care facilities.
• Mavrek DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development firm listed as a client for multi-family and residential development projects.
• Shapack PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based real estate development company listed as a client for commercial real estate projects.
• LiUNA!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaborers' union; ESA partnered on LiUNA Chicago Laborers' District Council mosaic memorial project and expanded training facility in North Austin.
• AscensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic health system; ESA partnered on Ascension Alexian Brothers renovation and expansion in Elk Grove Village including 100,000 sf neuroscience inpatient rooms addition and $107 million renovation project at Alexian Brothers Medical Center.
• CarleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system listed as a client for healthcare facility design projects.
• DMG MORIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing company listed as a client for industrial facility design projects.
• Rebel HospitalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality development firm; ESA partnered on East Lakeview hotel development at 3440 N Broadway (176 hotel rooms with mercantile space and event/meeting rooms).
• Northlight TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit professional theatre company; ESA serving as lead architect for new performing arts facility at 1012 Church Street in downtown Evanston featuring 280-seat thrust proscenium mainstage theatre, rehearsal hall, and backstage support spaces.
• SkendercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm; ESA partnered with Skender on Hyatt House Chicago/West Loop, 345 N Morgan, and other projects as general contractor.
• IFFminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity development organization; ESA teamed with IFF on Erie Family Health Centers expansion project in Evanston/Skokie.
• Reed ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm; ESA partnered with Reed Construction on Erie Family Health Centers and Joliet Junior College Respiratory Therapy projects.
• Ujamaa ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction firm; ESA worked with Ujamaa Construction on After School Matters facility at 1065 N. Orleans.
• USGBCminorOthersRegistered USGBC Silver LEED Member firm providing sustainable design services including LEED Certification.
• NorthShore University HealthSystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth system (now part of Endeavor Health); ESA partnered on Chicagoland Children's Health Alliance Pediatric Outpatient Center in Wilmette, Cardiovascular Institute at Glenbrook Hospital, and various other healthcare projects.
• Advocate Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's hospital; ESA partnered with Advocate and NorthShore on Chicagoland Children's Health Alliance converting former furniture store in Edens Plaza into pediatric care center.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Perkins&Will: Large North American architecture practice with a leading healthcare design practice and a Chicago office. Most directly comparable to ESA in healthcare project type, target client (health systems, academic medical centers), and full-service architecture-plus-interior design delivery model.
• CannonDesign: Integrated design firm with a major healthcare architecture practice operating from a Chicago-area office. Comparable to ESA across healthcare project scale, integrated architecture/interior design delivery, and pursuit of academic medical center and outpatient work.
• SmithGroup: Integrated architecture, interiors, and design firm with a strong U.S. healthcare practice. Comparable in vertical mix (healthcare, education, science & workplace), design services scope, and pursuit of complex institutional clients.
• Wight & Company: Chicago-area architecture, engineering, and construction firm serving healthcare, education, commercial, and public-sector clients. Comparable by geography, sector mix, and integrated design-build delivery model that differentiates it from ESA's pure architecture services scope.
• RATIO Architects: Mid-sized Chicago architecture firm serving higher education, healthcare, cultural, and workplace markets. Directly comparable in scale, Chicago focus, and higher-education/healthcare mix; notably the prior employer of ESA Principal Craig Smith.
• Legat Architects: Mid-sized Chicago architecture firm with K-12, higher education, healthcare, and community-sector practices. Comparable by size, geography, and sector mix (education particularly), making it a relevant peer for competitive healthcare and education RFPs.
• Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB): Chicago architecture, planning, and interiors practice known for healthcare, higher education, residential, and workplace work. Comparable by Chicago base, interior-design integration, and major academic-medical-center client types such as Northwestern Memorial.

Broad incumbents

• HDR Architects: Global architecture and engineering firm with one of the largest U.S. healthcare design practices and a Chicago-area presence. Competes with ESA for major health-system work but at significantly greater scale and broader service breadth.
• HKS, Inc. Nationally recognized healthcare architecture specialist that competes head-to-head with ESA on enterprise health-system RFPs. Larger scale and broader geographic reach, but directly overlapping target client and project types.

Regional players

• Epstein (Epstein Global): Chicago-headquartered architecture, engineering, and construction firm serving industrial, commercial, healthcare, and institutional clients. Comparable by Chicago-base and multi-sector scope but broader in services including construction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ESADesignChi
• Facebookfacebook.com/EckenhoffSaundersArchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eckenhoff-saunders-architects-esa-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eckenhoff Saunders Architects