Michael Hershenson |
Principal Architect
Michael Hershenson has fourty-two years of professional experience in residential new construction and remodeling, office interiors, tenant space planning, and build-outs, retail stores, and office building design.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana (1980), where he was a Teaching Assistant in Architectural History. In 1977, he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Champaign - Urbana, with minors in Philosophy and History. He appears on the University Bronze Tablet, honoring the top 3 percent from each graduating class.
After employment with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Ed Raap Associates, and McBride & Kelley Architects, Ltd., Michael launched Michael Hershenson Architects in 1990. The office has won both local and national awards for high-quality, unique residential design.
Steven Schmitt |
Associate Principal
Steven Schmitt joined Michael Hershenson Architects in 2018 and brings over a decade of experience in both high-end residential and commercial architecture(s). Steven is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from which he holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies. His tenure includes work at many distinguished firms such as Orren Pickell Designers & Builders, Full Circle Architects, and Kolbrook Design, resulting in projects covering the greater half of northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. His contributions are numerous and come in a diverse range including but not limited to: overseeing projects from conceptions to fruition as a senior-level manager, working with governing jurisdictions, providing comprehensive architectural guidance and technical consultation, and maintaining a friendly “you before me” psyche to ensure project culmination and lasting client relations.
Todd Pape |
Project Architect
Todd Pape has been involved with Michael Hershenson Architects since 2018 and has held a successful Architecture career for the past 30 years. With experience in residential and commercial architecture and a focus on green space architecture, Todd has. Todd is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago where he earned his Master of Architecture degree. His tenure includes work at many distinguished firms such as Hancock + Hancock, Inc., and Phillip Kupritz and Associates, working on projects reaching from commercial properties in the Greater Chicagoland area all the way to agricultural projects in Southwest Michigan. Todd is also a Registered Energy Professional in the city of Chicago and has taken part in designing the Washington School garden of Evanston, IL. His experiences include multi-unit housing, religious buildings, townhouses, and condominium developments, corporate interiors, extensive residential remodeling, and new constructions of residential, beach properties.
Marija Guyton |
Project Architect
Marija Guyton became a member of the Michael Hershenson Architects team in 2023. She is an accomplished architectural designer with over 10 years of experience.
After completing her master's degree in architecture from Vilniaus Gediminas Technical University, Marija utilized her skills at several highly regarded European architecture firms gaining experience designing protected historic commercial and residential buildings for UNESCO, as well as landmark hospitality buildings throughout Europe.
Driven by a desire to create architecture that truly makes a difference, Marija’s designs exhibit innovation and seamlessly blend form and function. She enjoys client collaboration and welcomes the challenge of unusual properties.