Carol Ross Barney founded Ross Barney Architects in her hometown of Chicago in 1981, and in the decades since has become known for the design of dignified, graceful civic buildings and public spaces. Among her best-known works are the Oklahoma City Federal Building (2005), the Chicago Riverwalk (2006-16), a multi-modal transit center at O’Hare Airport (2019), and numerous stations for the Chicago Transit Authority. In recognition of these striking contributions to the public realm—which have demonstrated the power of strong design in settings where architecture is often an afterthought—Ross Barney Architects received the Coop­er Hewitt’s prestigious Nation­al Design Award last year.

Carol Ross Barney. Photo by Tara White