Creative People. Creative Solutions.
The Firm
Established in 1998, Panto-Ulema Inc. dba Dearborn Architects is a dynamic and progressive architectural practice. The firm excels in envisioning, planning, and execution of design projects for a diverse range of clients. The key to our success is a focused approach in distilling client goals. Having clear objectives allows us to shorten timelines, enhance coordination, and provide flexibility in deliverables tailored to each project. Dearborn Architects delivers outstanding service and has a reputation of providing quality and value.
Our firm differentiates itself from the typical architect’s office in two distinct ways. The first is in fully integrated MEP design into our project workflow. With small projects, we are responsible for designing the entire MEP system, while on large projects we review and check our engineers’ work, during the design and construction phases. The second is how we source and provide lighting, fixtures and other building materials for our projects, resulting in better coordination products while saving the clients’ money.
Our Work
Dearborn Architects’ portfolio features a diverse range of projects including restaurant, social clubs, hotels, daycare, dental offices, industrial buildings, university housing art installations, master planning and code consulting. Most of the firm’s work is in existing buildings. Invariably, building out or altering these spaces become challenging due to structural limitations, obstructions and hidden conditions. The firm has adapted to overcome these limitations and come up with creative solutions. The firm’s flexibility and resourcefulness is best exemplified by the Shabu Plus project where the team has to redesign the entire mechanical system during construction due to a lease dispute.
The firm has steadily expanded its capabilities beyond the tradition hospitality projects to include retail/entertainment such as the Museum of Ice Cream, Infinite Claw Arcade and the Candy of Hall of Fame.
A key element in interior design is lighting. The shape of the space and the color of the materials and finishes can only be appreciated when correctly illuminated. At the Union League Club of Chicago ULCC, the team designed custom decorative lighting for the Heritage Room remodel. These light fixtures are coordinated with the design language and motifs of the reimagined space.
The firm has steadily expanded its capabilities beyond the tradition hospitality projects to include retail/entertainment such as the Museum of Ice Cream, Infinite Claw Arcade and the Candy of Hall of Fame.
A key element in interior design is lighting. The shape of the space and the color of the materials and finishes can only be appreciated when correctly illuminated. At the Union League Club of Chicago ULCC, the team designed custom decorative lighting for the Heritage Room remodel. These light fixtures are coordinated with the design language and motifs of the reimagined space.
Another aspect of designing is affordability. Great lengths are taken to ensure that decorative elements and features proposed on a project can be achieved within the Client’s budget. An excellent example of this philosophy at work is the Sushi Plus Flagship store in Chicago where the majority of the decorative fixtures and elements including commissioned wall paintings were sourced overseas in order to meet the budget.
The firm a history of collaborating with artists. One of the largest art projects is the COVID-19 Monument in the Illinois Medical District. Dearborn Architects finalized the design of the sculpture honoring front line workers during the pandemic and worked with Dearborn Sourcing to fabricate the monument.
The firm also offers Architect-of-Record and Code Consulting services, initially for retail chains at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and recently for high end retailers opening along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.