NELSON CONSULTING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
Ed Uhlir was the head architect, and then the director of research and planning with the Chicago Park District, until his appointment by Mayor Richard M. Daley as design director of the Millennium Park Project. Uhlir now serves as executive director of the not-for-profit Millennium Park, Inc.
A graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Uhlir received the Alumni Association's City Partner Award in 2002. He is the recipient of the Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning from the Metropolitan Planning Council, American Society of Landscape Architects National Honor Award for the Lincoln Park Framework Plan, Chicago Civic Federation Urban Innovation Award and Friends of Downtown Mary Ward Wolkonsky Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Uhlir is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. The Chicago Chapter presented him with their Distinguished Service Award in 1999. Millennium Park has received more than 30 awards, including the Barrier Free America Award, presented to Uhlir by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Washington, D.C.
He is a board member of the Washington D.C.-based City Parks Alliance, a board member and secretary of NeighborSpace, a member of the State of Illinois Public Art Advisory Committee and a member of Mayor Daley's Parks and Open Space Committee. Uhlir is a recognized authority on park development, has lectured to a wide variety of audiences and is the author of "Ark in the Park, The Story of Lincoln Park Zoo."
Mr. Nelson was the founding member and President of Environ, Inc. Architecture, Design & Planning in Chicago. During his tenure at Environ, his responsibilities included business development, project design and coordination. In 2003 Environ merged with Harley Ellis Devereaux, a national firm, and he became the managing principal of the Chicago office. Mr. Nelson obtained extensive experience as a designer and project director for several of Chicago's leading architectural design firms, including Bertrand Goldberg, RMM, Inc., and Graham, Anderson, Probst and White. At Harley Ellis Devereaux he also served as one of the Corporate Executives. In 2010 he formed Nelson Consulting to collaborate with other leading professionals on unique planning and design projects.
Mr. Nelson's experience includes an expansive range of architectural and interior design planning services related to a variety of corporate, governmental, institutional and residential projects. He specialized in programing and planning and preliminary design concepts for both new and adaptive re-use projects
Mr. Nelson is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in architecture. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
Mr. Nelson's commitment to the Arts has presented him opportunities to serve as: President of the Guild Board of Directors of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Shakespeare Globe Theater of London on the Board of Directors for the North American Chapter, the Sherwood Conservatory of Music, the Chicago Architecture Foundation Advisory board and as a past Board of Trustees member, a member of the Archeworks Benefit Committee and past Board of Directors member of Architecture Alliance, and Chicago Historical Society. He has also served on the Chicago Opera Theaters Benefit board. Mr. Nelson is a member of many civic organizations. He is a past President of the American Institute of Architects, Chicago Chapter. He presently serves as a member of The Chicago Plan Commission and Mayor's Landscape Advisory Task Force.
Nelson Consulting was established in 2009 by John H. Nelson, FAIA and Edward K. Uhlir, FAIA. and is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL. Since its inception, Nelson Consulting has developed collaborative working relationships with clients who are operating at the frontiers of their particular fields. The unique interest and ideas of our clients has led to a body of work in which many different approaches to architecture have been explored. Professional services include a wide variety project types, commercial, public and residential work, as well as large scale municipal planning. Nelson Consulting has completed a wide range of projects of varying scope and complexity.
Nelson Consulting selects a number of projects, due to the careful, internal management of each project. From the onset, the architect collaborates with the engineering consulting team members on the design, development and management of the project, working as a team with all members of the firm and consultants, who bring a level of expertise to the design process, in order to achieve the most feasible and elemental solution. In addition to the principal, the staff includes many experienced architects and designers with diverse interests and expertise. Our office is fully networked and computerized and we have the capability to work and communicate visually from distant locations. We pride ourselves of having the capability to fully model a project using digital technology, regardless of the scope, in order to explore design issues, assist the Owner to visualize the architecture and experience the building and its impact on the landscape before it is built.