FacultySolomon Cordwell Buenz
Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm with a thoughtful design vision and a dynamic national imprint. Since 1931, SCB has made a lasting visual impact on skylines, campuses, and neighborhoods nationwide. From offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle, SCB offers expertise to clients across the country, helping them achieve their goals, serve their constituents, and create unique built environments. SCB’s approach is to ask questions, listen, and apply industry leading standards to determine the best design solution for each individual project.
AED Courses
Mark Frisch
Adjunct Lecturer of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Principal at SCB
Expertise: Architecture; Aviation; Multifamily residential; Commercial office; Science and technology and higher education sectors
Mark Frisch, a Principal at SCB, has established a distinguished career marked by an exceptional portfolio of technically sophisticated and complex design projects. His role as Technical Design Lead has seen the creation of award-winning projects across diverse domains such as aviation, multifamily residential, commercial office, science and technology, and higher education.
A cornerstone of Mark's success is his commitment to fostering close collaborations with internationally renowned engineering and energy consultants. These partnerships have led to the conception of integrated, high-performance buildings that reflect the pinnacle of technical design. Notably, Mark serves as the Principal-in-Charge for the impressive 2.2 million square-foot O'Hare Global Terminal at O'Hare International Airport.
Beyond his leadership role, Mark actively contributes to SCB's technical and sustainability design initiatives, systems and materials research, and quality assurance/quality control programs. This involvement demonstrates his unwavering commitment to design excellence and innovation.
Recognized by his peers, Mark is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and has offered his expertise as an award juror and member of the Advisory Group and Sustainable Group of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH). His influence extends to the AIA Chicago Board, and he has also been a White House appointee to the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Sustainability and Efficiency Task Force. Within this task force, he led the Energy and Building subgroup.
However, it is Mark's passion for teaching that sets him apart. He generously shares his extensive knowledge and experience as a visiting design critic for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and as a studio critic for Northwestern University’s Architectural Engineering and Design (AED) Program. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of technical design leaders is commendable.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mark is a Board Member and past President of the Shore Line Place Senior Housing Board, further demonstrating his dedication to community service. Mark's academic credentials include a bachelor of science with honors and a master of architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a proud recipient of the Long Fellowship. His educational background has served as a robust foundation, enabling his significant contributions to technical design and education.