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Whether you seek a new home

or to remodel your existing one

Mark Eric Benner Architects can help.

Successful projects are the result of more than just great design at Mark Eric Benner Architects (MEBA), they require clear communication of the concept. Traditionally, architects have used two dimensional drawings to communicate a design. This remains an important method to communicate that we use as well, but it takes a good deal of skill to interpret these drawings accurately. To broaden and improve the communication of our design to our clients, consultants, and others, we use three dimensions to create and then communicate our projects more effectively. This encourages true collaboration where everyone feels free to contribute and understands the results of the decisions made.

Not all designers use these advanced 3D tools and fewer use them throughout the design process. At Mark Eric Benner Architects, these indispensable tools are so critical, that I have thoroughly incorporated their use through my design process in its entirety. After the initial sketches are prepared to outline the initial direction of the design, I begin to implement the use of these advanced tools within our own design process.

Now that we have a mature design, I share this information with clients, partners, and consultants using familiar hand-held devices (iOS, Android, desktop, and laptop computers.) This is done so that everyone can explore the model on their own time and are not limited to this experience only during our meetings. With the crucial nature of this communication, I extend these advanced visualization tools to all of my clients and furthermore offer unlimited 3D views to ensure that you are comfortable and have a full understanding of every aspect of your design.

Mark Eric Benner is the founder and principal of the firm, Mark Eric Benner Architects.

project types

New Construction

A blank canvas may be the only or the best way for you to realize your project goals. With the opportunity to select every facet of your home’s design from its position and materials to developing the views found within, new construction offers the greatest flexibility for your home. Mark Eric Benner Architects has produced dozens of new construction projects over the years and stands ready to serve you.

Addition

Whether its your existing home or one that you’ve found in the perfect location, there can be significant value found the existing structure. At Mark Eric Benner Architects, our team’s focus is trained on value. There are many advantages to renovating or adding to an existing home, including a faster construction schedule, and lower construction cost. In some cases, existing structures may be exempt from expensive code requirements that new construction projects would be subject.

Renovation

Perhaps the project focus is on a specific room or floor of your home. Some of the most cost-effective projects happen with in the existing walls of your home. After many years your kitchen, bathroom, or layout of a floor of your home may no longer meet your modern day needs. A renovation of those spaces may be just what you need for your home to take you into the next decades and Mark Eric Benner Architects has developed renovation tools specifically for this type of project.

your dream team

a unique and creative team assembled by Mark Eric Benner Architects, specifically to respond to your family’s needs and the needs of your home

Mark E. Benner, AIA

Mark Eric Benner Architects - Founder & Innovator

Mark E. Benner, AIA (Mark Eric Benner Architects)

I created Mark Eric Benner Architects to respond to unique design challenges faced by homeowners.

A successful solution to a problem or challenge is the most important concern for any project. There is no project too small for good design. The effort that we invest into even the smallest area can have a long lasting effect on our experience. It may seem like a little thing, but when one experiences a space or design element on a daily basis, it can either bother you or bring great satisfaction. I would much rather that you marvel at the attention to detail rather than regret rushing through a “small” detail.

As an avid “Techie”, I enjoy the discovery and application of technology to everyday life, with the goal of enriching and simplifying our lives. My hobbies include skiing, hiking, travel, scuba diving, and sailing.

From 1995 through 2007, I served as principal and architect for Orren Pickell Designers & Builders, an award winning, luxury residential design/build firm. With varied responsibilities, my projects included not only residential projects, but land planning and commercial projects as well. My interest in technology was a natural fit as we developed digital design, information systems, and communication systems throughout the company.

Upon graduation from Lawrence Tech through August 1995, I worked for Schonsheck, Inc. of Wixom, Michigan producing commercial and industrial design / build projects.

Giving back is a foundation for me and Mark Eric Benner Architects. It is gratifying and humbling to work with great organizations that serve communities in need. Therefore I hope that you will visit these organizations that I know and trust. Together we have served local needs as well as those in need across the country. Solid Rock Carpenters and Appalachian Service Project (Warmer, Safer, and Dryer) are just a few of the groups that I feel deserve your attention and support. You can read more about our projects in Bogalusa, Glenview. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with these fine organizations and invite you to join me on future projects.

Consultants

Structural, Interior Design, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP), Low Voltage / Integrator, Landscape

Project Consultants

Just to name a few.

Structural Engineer: ensures that structural members and systems are adequately sized and optimized to prevent “over-building.” They can help us to navigate unique configurations and integrations with other systems.

Interior Designer: helps to coordinate the myriad of finish selections, furniture selections and layouts, window treatments, accessories, and on and on. Tying it all together, interior designers bring order to one of the most daunting tasks faced by home owners.

Low Voltage Integrators: Lighting control, automated window treatments, whole house audio and video, and home theaters are just some of the systems that they provide to help enhance, monitor, and control your home.

MEP Engineer: When the design becomes more complex, so do the systems required to light, heat, cool, plumb, and power the home. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers help us to properly size and configure these systems and integrate with the home’s other systems.

Landscape Architect: Last but not least, the landscape architect creates the outdoor spaces, planting beds, hardscapes that enhance and interact with the architecture.

All of these consultants do important and amazing work individually, but their true talent is revealed when they harmonize with the rest of the Mark Eric Benner Architects team.

Home Owner - your picture goes here

Decision Maker

Homeowners

As the homeowner, you are a crucial and founding member of the team, offering the vision and dreams which will focus the efforts of every team member. While you have engaged creative and experienced talent through Mark Eric Benner Architects to help you design your home. Your participation is key to bring it all to fruition. Every decision, with the benefit of professional insights, will be yours to make. Your team will collaborate to minimize  the time and prepare you with the information you will need. The result is a home that inspires, shelters, and entertains your entire family.

architectural services

“Design is the paradise

of individuality, eccentricity,

abnormality, and humors.”

George Santayana

Mark Eric Benner Achitects

My firm, Mark Eric Benner Architects, Ltd., is a creative architectural studio located in the heart of Chicago’s North shore communities. We pride ourselves on developing uniquely personal living and working spaces, spaces that respond to the needs and feelings of each member of the family. Thank you for your interest. Yours and my success relies on building a relationship, sharing ideas, and working together to create spaces that not only protect your family from the elements, but makes them feel at home. Next, take a look around and get to know a little bit about me, then call me so I can get to know you and the dreams you have for your home.

Residential Design

  • New Construction / Additions / Renovations
  • Kitchens
  • Bedrooms
  • Bathroom
  • Finished Basements
  • Libraries & Home Offices
  • Home Theaters
  • Outdoor Spaces (Decks & Patios)
  • Pools & Cabanas

Sustainable Design

  • Building Envelope Optimization
  • Passive Solar
  • Photovoltaic & Solar Heat
  • Geothermal
  • Sustainable Materials

Commercial Design

  • Commercial & Industrial Design
  • Space Planning
  • Interior Design & Build-out
  • Tenant Architectural Services
  • Commercial Site & Land Planning

Consulting

  • Building Information Modeling (BIM)
  • Best Practices
  • Architects
  • Interior Designers
  • Engineers
  • Landscape Architects

testimonial

rev. jeffrey g. pruett, sr., m. div.

Families express their gratitude big time

As you look through Mark Eric Benner’s website, you see the talent and creativity of a very qualified architect and his firm. But I would like to speak to another side of this man whom I have learned has a very big heart.

Over the past year or so, I have worked with Eric on several projects. Eric is part of the Christian organization called Solid Rock Carpenters. (Some of their work is chronicled on this site and at www.SolidRockCarpenters.org) This group helps build affordable houses for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to live in decent, safe, homes.

I have served as Executive Director and Construction Coordinator for Washington Habitat for Humanity in Washington Parish, LA. This is where and how I met Eric. The Solid Rock Carpenters wanted to help build about 12 houses in Franklinton and Bogalusa, LA. We have plans that we use that are simple and the drawings are elementary. Eric took those plans and “fleshed” them out, drawing additional wall sections and layouts that allowed people with limited experience to construct a house that not only exceeded building codes in this hurricane zone, but allowed for creative approaches so we didn’t have a “cookie-cutter” type look in a neighborhood. As a person who has worked with volunteer construction teams for approximately 20 years, these complete drawing take out many potential problems and allow persons who volunteer to see great accomplishments at the end of a day’s work.

Eric did this without charge. I’m not sure what the monetary value of this service would be in today’s dollars; however, I see the perpetual value of his work for years to come. You see, because Eric took hours out of his busy schedule to create the complete working drawings for us, he took days out of construction when these house plans are used again. In other words, he will aid us in the future without making another drawing.

katrina's path through bogalusa

Katrina’s path through Bogalusa

Another aspect of Eric’s work that isn’t often seen is his working knowledge of construction. Having worked with architects on building church buildings, I have seen drawing that are at times so complicated to construct that it was oblivious that the designer hadn’t used a hammer or built buildings before. Eric’s creativity is enhanced because he has built houses and other structures before. I saw Eric in the role of architect when we were completing our drawings. And then I saw Eric with the nail apron on, nailing together boards, leading a team to build these houses.

I wanted to write a little about Eric’s work beyond the professional portfolio that’s seen. I wanted to share about Eric’s principals and convictions. His professionalism is under girded by his character. I am thankful to count Eric as a friend. His knowledge and experience are great assets; but his character and creativity compliment his whole approach. Thanks Eric for what you do to make people’s lives better because you care and follow the Master Carpenter.

Rev. Jeffrey G. Pruett, Sr., M. Div.

virtual reality architecture

my other interests