About Bauer Latoza Studio

Firm Profile

Bauer Latoza Studio is recognized for its work in architecture, planning, historic preservation, and hospitality design. Established in 1990, the firm maintains a diverse portfolio of projects in the local, national, and international markets, and has received more than 30 design awards.  The firm’s interdisciplinary portfolio serves clients in federal, state, and local government, as well as private and nonprofit entities.

Bauer Latoza Studio maintains a strong commitment to Sustainable Design, and has been a member of the United States Green Building Council since 2002.  The Studio is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois, a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with CTA, METRA, IDOT, CDOT, and Pace, and a qualified Small Business Set Aside (SBSA) vendor with the State of Illinois.

Key Staff

Edward Torrez, RA, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Edward Torrez, President and Principal of Bauer Latoza Studio, provides overall firm direction, in addition to design and business leadership. He sits on the Board of Advisors of the National Trust of Historic Preservation and served as a Commissioner for the City of Chicago Landmarks under Richard M. Daley.

Tim Vacha, RA
Tim Vacha, Principal, leads Bauer Latoza Studio’s hospitality, residential, and new construction efforts. He has served as the key designer for institutional, corporate, and hospitality projects both nationally and internationally. With over 30 years of experience, he has extensive knowledge of all phases of both architectural and interior projects.

Andrea Terry, RA, LEED AP
Andrea Terry, Principal, oversees production and specifically leads many of the firm’s renovation projects with her passion and expertise in historic preservation and adaptive reuse. Her technical skills with masonry construction, building research, and historic guidelines are critical to many of the Studio’s projects.

Kirk Sippel, AIA, LEED AP
Kirk Sippel, Principal, leads projects with a deep and diverse set of skills. In addition to preservation with expertise in historic building technologies, he has a comprehensive knowledge of codes and standards for state, municipal and University clients, as well as critical examinations. He is indispensable for both complex and small projects.

Selected Awards

2020

  • Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award – Rehabilitation, Landmarks Illinois – In recognition of Julia C. Lathrop Homes Redevelopment Plan

2019

  • International Religious Art and Architecture Award, American Institute of Architects (AIA) – In recognition of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Restoration

2018

  • Religious Architecture: Restoration Award, Faith & Form Design Awards – In recognition of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Restoration
  • Craftsmanship Winner, Masonry Advisory Council Excellence in Masonry Award – In recognition of Lane Tech High School Renovation
  • Best Contemporary Rehab/Restoration, Masonry Advisory Council Excellence in Masonry Award – In recognition of Lane Tech High School Renovation

2017

  • Best Restoration/Rehabilitation/Maintenance Project, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) – In recognition of Lane Tech High School Renovation
  • Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Restoration
  • Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence, Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of Mulligan School (1855 N. Sheffield) Apartments
  • Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Award for Restoration, Landmarks Illinois – In recognition of All Saints’ Episcopal Church Restoration

2016

  • Rehabilitation Project of the Year, Construction Industry Service Corporation – In recognition of Lane Tech High School Renovation
  • AIA IL 2016 Daniel Burnham Award for Master Planning – In recognition of Positioning Pullman, National Parks Service
  • APA IL 2016 Chapter Award for Strategic Planning – In recognition of Positioning Pullman, National Parks Service

2015

  • Award of Merit: Best Renovation/Restoration, Construction Building & Engineering News (ENR) – In recognition of Marquette Park Lakefront East

2014

  • Cook Cup for Outstanding Restoration, Indiana Landmarks – In recognition of Marquette Park Lakefront East
  • Award Winning Project, Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) – In recognition of the Hyatt Regency Chicago Lobby
  • Finalist-Award for Best Renovation, Friends of Downtown – In recognition of the Hyatt Regency Chicago Lobby
  • Finalist-Best Midscale/Economy Hotel, Hospitality Design Magazine – In recognition of the Hyatt Regency Chicago Lobby
  • Illumination Award of Merit for Lighting Design, Illuminating Engineering Society – In recognition of the Hyatt Regency Chicago Lobby

2013

  • Architect’s Challenge Award, Marvin Windows and Doors – In recognition of the Marquette Park Pavilion

2012

  • Masonry Construction Project of the Year-Historic Preservation, Masonry Construction Magazine – In recognition of the Marquette Park Pavilion
  • Award of Merit, Society of College and University Planning (SCUP) – In recognition of the University of Chicago’s Midway Crossings

2011

  • Award of Merit: Landscape/Hardscape/Urban Development, Engineering News Record (ENR) – In recognition of the University of Chicago’s Midway Crossings

2010

  • President’s Award: Burnham Category, Illinois American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA) – In recognition of Marquette Park Lakefront East

2009

  • Urban Design Award, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago – In recognition of The Last Four Miles: a Plan to Complete Chicago’s Lakefront Parks
  • Outstanding Rehabilitation Award, Landmarks Illinois – In recognition of the Overton Hygienic Company Building
  • Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan, Illinois American Planning Association (APA IL) – In recognition of The Last Four Miles: a Plan to Complete Chicago’s Lakefront Parks
  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the Quinn Chapel
  • Best of 2009 Award, Midwest Construction – In recognition of the Public Building Commission’s Fire Station 70
  • Merit Award, Chicago Building Congress – In recognition of the Public Building Commission’s Fire Station 70

2008

  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the Overton Hygienic Company Building

2006

  • Professional Services Consultant of the Year for Projects under $2 Million, University of Illinois at Chicago – In recognition of University of Illinois at Chicago’s South Campus Development
  • Outstanding Rehabilitation Award, Landmarks Illinois – In recognition of the Lindblom Math & Science Academy
  • Merit Award, Chicago Building Congress – In recognition of the Lindblom Math & Science Academy
  • Best Restoration Award, Friends of Downtown – In recognition of the Manhattan Building

2005

  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the Manhattan Building

2004

  • Merit Award, Chicago Building Congress – In recognition of the Humboldt Park Boathouse
  • Merit Award, Illinois American Planning Association (APA IL) – In recognition of the Burnham Park Shoreline Design – Morgan Shoal

2003

  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the District Entrance Gateway Markers, Jackson Park Highlands
  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station

2002

  • Merit Award, Illinois American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA) – In recognition of the Garfield Park Framework Plan
  • Preservation Project of the Year, Landmarks Illinois – In recognition of the Humboldt Park Boathouse

2001

  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the Sexton School
  • Preservation Excellence Award, City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks – In recognition of the Shakespeare School

2000

  • Honor Award, Illinois American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA) – In recognition of the Burnham Park Framework Plan

1999

  • Preservation Project of the Year, Landmarks Illinois – In recognition of the Pullman School
  • Best Renovation of an Urban Space Award, Friends of Downtown – In recognition of the Chicago Water Tower
  • Guth Award, Illuminating Engineering Society – In recognition of the Chicago Water Tower
  • Thomas H. Madigan Outstanding Achievement Award, Capital Development Board of Illinois – In recognition of the Old Market House State Historic Site