Hitchcock Design Group

Since opening its doors in 1980, Hitchcock Design Group has been committed to “Creating Better Places® to live, work, play, heal and learn.” The firm has offices in Naperville and Chicago, Ill. Its planners and landscape architects, many of whom are LEED accredited, have produced an extensive portfolio of award-winning projects throughout the region.

The 40-member staff has diverse experience in research, planning, design, project management, construction technology and communications. The firm’s leadership includes seven principals, who are also shareholders: David Frigo, ASLA, LEED AP; Eric Hornig, ASLA, LEED AP; Steven Konters, ASLA, LEED AP; Timothy King; Craig Kruckenberg; Brian Slovacek; and Mark Underwood. The board of directors is comprised of a president, Richard Hitchcock, ASLA, two senior vice presidents, Geoffrey Roehll, ASLA, CLARB and Bill Inman, and one vice president, Jacqueline Loewe.

The firm is also supported by a marketing department and administrative staff. Technical resources include the latest in design software (Adobe Suite Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, GoLive, Acrobat, ArcView, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Extensis Portfolio; M-color; SketchUp; and Viz) and industry-specific design standards, as well as a full complement of full-color reproduction hardware and software. The firm dedicates significant time each month to specialized professional education.

Photos: Hitchcock Design Group

Green River Pattern Book, South Chicago

The Calumet River Corridor is a unique ecosystem located in the heart of what once was one of the world’s highest concentrations of heavy industry. The river is now a key amenity and catalyst to help revitalize south suburban Chicago communities. Hitchcock Design Group was engaged by the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corp. to create a handbook that illustrates environmentally sustainable design and development best practices. The handbook will educate the cities and promote, guide and inspire environmentally sustainable industrial, commercial, residential and mixed-use redevelopment. Hitchcock Design Group also created a new logo and visual identity system for the Calumet River Corridor that is used for branding and marketing promotions targeting prospective investors and visitors.

Bowen Park, Waukegan

The Waukegan Park District called upon the landscape architect to create a master plan to revitalize Bowen Park. The project received a $400,000 Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD matching grant based on its educational and environmental focus. Working with a heavily wooded site with over 25 feet of grade change, this unique play environment offers children and their families an opportunity to explore “Forest Findings.”

Lincoln Landing, Lockport

More than 350 people celebrated the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday by attending the dedication of Lincoln Landing, a new interpretive park in historic downtown Lockport. Hitchcock Design Group led a team of consultants to assist the Give Something Back Foundation and the Will County Historical Society to revitalize the two-acre area into a civic park and community gateway.

Lockport was an important location on the Illinois and Michigan Canal and designated a National Heritage Corridor in 1984. Mr. Lincoln probably traveled the canal more than once. As a Congressman, he addressed the House to proclaim the waterway’s completion.