Bleck & Bleck Architects, LLC

01/07/2026

Congratulations to Lost Island Themepark! 🎉

Their Fire Runner roller coaster 🏆🎢 has been named Best New Theme Park Attraction in USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards—a well-deserved recognition for an incredible attraction.

We were honored to serve as Lost Island’s Architect and Engineer for the integration of this new roller coaster and to collaborate with the exceptional teams at Lost Island Themepark 🤝 and Rocky Mountain Construction. Partnerships like these make projects truly special, and we look forward to creating even more memorable experiences together.

08/29/2025

It's undeniable. We're seeing tremendous growth in the skilled .

A local bed building program at St. Joseph Church - Libertyville, IL teamed up with ComEd to cultivate the next generation of skilled workers. Teen participants honed and built dozens of bed frames for children in need. 👏

Learn about ComEd's innovative Tools of the Trade program:
https://www.wifr.com/2025/07/17/comed-prepares-next-generation-skilled-workers-illinois-clean-energy-industry-expected-grow/.

Experts say clean energy is the future, we just need the hands to help it grow. That’s where ComEd’s Tools of the Trade program comes in, to cultivate the next generation of skilled workers.

08/27/2025

Our friend Sally is the best online advocate for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art! Located in Bentonville, , the museum was founded by collector and philanthropist Alice Walton and designed by architect Moshe Safdie.

The art museum offers FREE drop-in architecture tours. Learn more: https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/2025-drop-in-tour-architecture/.

Planning a visit to Crystal Bridges? Check out our seasonal visitor’s guides, browse our event calendar, or use our Plan a Visit page to learn about hours, parking, and what to expect while you’re here.

08/25/2025

Celebrating World Water Week!

The much-loved Water Tower and Pumping Station were designed to help bring clean from Lake Michigan to the city. The Gothic Revival buildings were designed by architect William Boyington, and built with yellow Joliet limestone.

Read about it from Chicago Architecture Center:
https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/chicago-water-tower/.

The ornate castellated Gothic Revival structure was really only built to hide a simple standpipe.

08/22/2025

Are you interested in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright? Us too! Usually folks are familiar with Wright's private residences, but not his commercial designs.

Located in nearby , WI, we recommend visiting the fantastic SC Johnson, A Family Company. For an up-close, in-depth experience, take a campus tour. Reserve your place here:
https://reservations.scjohnson.com/Info.aspx?.

08/20/2025

Do you have a budding in your life? Here's a neat opportunity for them!

On Saturday, September 6, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts Girls Build! This FREE program from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm offers a fun and inspiring experience for youth grades 6-12. Advance registration is required:
https://www.architecture.org/events-programs/girls-build.

A unique experiential program designed to engage girl-identifying youth in 7th to 10th grades.

08/19/2025

Today is ! This year's theme is "My Favorite Photo", focusing on the emotional connection between and their work.

Highlighting photographer Jacob VanVooren and his beautiful photos of Wintrust Gurnee Community Bank! See them here: https://bleckarchitects.com/portfolio-item/gurnee-community-bank/.

The new building for Gurnee Community Bank is a two-story brick and stone building with attached covered drive-up facility.

08/14/2025

Want a real thrill?! Celebrate and enjoy National Roller Coaster Day today! Held every year on August 16, theme parks mark the day with special events and deals for patrons.

Several new coasters opened this season, including Lost Island Themepark's Fire Runner, a single-rail coaster with three inversions designed by Rocky Mountain Construction. We were proud to integrate the ride into Lost Island Theme Park in Waterloo, Iowa. https://www.thelostisland.com/amusement-park/attractions/rollercoasters/fire-runner.

08/13/2025

Chicago and Milwaukee are blessed with quality buildings, many with roots.

One of our family members lived at The Brewster on Pine Grove Avenue in Chicago. To access his condo we took the elevator in the sky lit atrium and walked across cast iron and glass block bridge walkways. Pretty cool!

Designed by Enock Hill Turnock, the Romanesque Revival building was completed in 1896. See some photos of the building from North Pond Properties of Chicago here: https://northpondproperties.com/brewster-building/.

Brewster Building 2800 N. Pine Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 The Brewster Apartments (originally known as Lincoln Park Palace) is a residential building in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Located at Diversey and Pine Grove Ave., it was designed by architect Enock Hill Turnock for Norwegian-nati...

08/12/2025

Exciting renovation progress! The Delta Upsilon house in is nearly ready for the school year! Check out the August video update from the chapter YouTube profile here: https://youtube.com/?si=ckRaqnbRdOGejEX3.

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

08/11/2025

Do you benefit from time in nature? Reduced stress, increased creativity, and overall are a few of the benefits of nature. Biophilic building can provide the emotional benefits of nature through the use of natural building materials, spatial organization, and themes.

Read about design strategies involving spatial configuration and environmental patterning that can lead to positive health outcomes:
https://www.archdaily.com/1029257/biophilic-architecture-without-plants-invisible-design-for-wellbeing. ArchDaily

Learn how biophilic design goes beyond greenery, utilizing spatial arrangements to foster connections between humans and nature.