Catherine Osika, AIA • Download Full Resume
Principal

Cathy joined Burns + Beyerl Architects in 1995 as a project architect and was promoted to Principal in 2003. Through Cathy's extraordinary skills in organization and research, she quickly overhauled the library, product resources and material samples, and raised the standards for design and attention to details. Now as a Principal, Cathy continues to lead projects with distinguished design and detailing, while providing mentoring of the younger staff.

Cathy was born and raised in the Chicago area. In 1990, She received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, graduating with distinction. During her stay at the "U", Cathy was instrumental in establishing the AIAS, the American Institute of Architects Student Chapter, for the University and organizing her class trip to Europe, "Grappo del Oro", which led 22 students from Italy to Sweden and some 10 other countries in-between. She also honed her negotiating and client/contractor relationship skills by refereeing for the Recreational Sports Department for five years.

In 1989, Cathy began her professional architectural career with the leading residential firm in the Twin Cities, Mulfinger & Susanka Architects (now SALA). This award winning firm, established the concept of providing thoughtfully detailed, smaller homes.

In 1991, Cathy moved back to Chicago (only snows 250 days a year). She worked for several outstanding firms in Chicago, gaining experience in design and management of residential, commercial and institutional projects. Projects varied in scale from single family residences and townhouse renovations to Façade Improvements in Chicago Neighborhood Communities to the Lake County Forest Preserve Headquarters, a 6,000 sf municipal office renovation.

In 1993, Cathy accepted a position with Kathryn Quinn Architects. Quickly promoted to project architect, she was responsible for the design development and construction of two custom single family vacation homes on the dunes of Michigan, 6,000 s.f. and 9,000 s.f. respectively. One of the homes has been featured in Architectural Digest and exhibited in the Chicago Art Institute.

An avid cyclist, Cathy has twice endured the Heartland AIDSRide, a 500 mile, 6 day bike ride from Minneapolis to Chicago