FIRM PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES

Stuart D. Shayman Associates offers complete architectural design services for custom residential projects, both new construction and renovation.  We guide our clients through the design process to develop projects that synthesize the attributes of the site and surroundings with our clients’ program requirements  and local building and zoning requirements.  The result is a project that is reflective of our clients' personality, desires and aspirations.  We believe in a user-centered design which focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the client. 

Our philosophy has been based on the principle that good design is timeless, not based on being traditional or contemporary, but  based on our clients needs and desires, the local environment of the project and budget. Our clients come to us with a difficult lot, budget or unusual desires.  No one solution is right for everybody.

In developing  a project, our goal is to assemble the best team of design and construction people to deliver the best quality result for the most efficient price.

Our projects range in size from 12,000 square foot estates to kitchen and bath remodeling.  We have always believed in “green” and sustainable design and are gratified to see its growth and acceptance.  We believe that all projects, no matter the size or budget, can benefit from good design which incorporates “green” principles as well as planning and aesthetics. 

We were early adopters of 3D computer-aided design and utilize it as both a design tool and a  way to allow our clients to gain a fuller understanding of their design while still in the planning stage.

EXPERIENCE

Our  new homes have been both contemporary and traditional in design.  A large percentage of our work is renovation and restoration to existing homes successfully  maintaining the character and scale of the original  structure with the new work.

Working with some of the top interior designers and kitchen specialists in the area, our work has been published in numerous professional and consumer  publications including Luxe, Veranda , Residential Architect, Better Homes and Gardens as well as North Shore Magazine and the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine.  The firm is featured in Dream Homes Chicago.

Stuart is a registered architect in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Colorado and California holds National Council of Architecture Registration Boards certification.  Stuart Shayman is a corporate member of the American Institute of Architects.

PEOPLE

Stuart Shayman has over 30 years experience in the design and construction of custom homes as well as commercial and  institutional buildings.  After obtaining Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees at the University of Michigan,  While at Michigan, Stuart worked for Chi Systems, a hospital consulting firm, taught an undergraduate drawing class and worked in the office of Robert Metcalf, one of his professors and later dean of the Architecture school.  Upon graduation, Stuart worked in the planning department for the Graduate Hospital of University of Pennsylvania hospital system before returning to Chicago.  After seven years as senior associate at Grunsfeld & Associates and four years as associate architect with Shayman & Salk Co., Stuart established Stuart D. Shayman Associates in 1988.   He is a past board member and president of the Preservation League of Evanston.  As well as practicing architecture, Stuart is an avid painter (www.thinkshaymandesign.com) .  Stuart lives in Deerfield with his wife Linda Rubin.   He currently serves on the Deerfield Plan Commission.