Erin Bahrke, AIA

Erin is a licensed Architect in Wisconsin and Illinois, a LEED AP professional and a member of the American Institute of Architects. 

Erin graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana with a B.S. in Architectural Studies in 2001.  She was a member of the professional fraternity Alpha Rho Chi and participated in the study abroad program in Versailles, France for one year.  Erin attended Parsons School of Design in New York City for graduate studies.  While in NYC, she accepted a position at Zakrzewski & Hyde Architects, learning how detailed planning and complex drawings are key to simple elegance in minimalist home design.  Residential Architecture became Erin’s passion. Eager to be closer to family, Erin relocated to Chicago in 2003.  She worked for Nicholas Clark Architects, where she learned the permitting process in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.  In 2006, Erin joined Kathryn Quinn Architects (KQA).  She was the project manager on high-end contemporary and traditional residential projects until 2012. 

Erin founded Abode Architects, Ltd. in 2013, in Evanston, Illinois, where tree-lined streets filled with beautiful, well-preserved older homes serve as a living collection of residential architectural styles. In Summer of 2022, Abode Architects expanded services into Wisconsin, with a new office in Madison!

Jennifer Ries

Jennifer has more than 15 years of professional architectural experience focusing on building preservation and repair. She graduated from Kent State University in 2000 with both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture degrees. Before arriving in Chicago in 2004, Jennifer worked in Winston-Salem, North Carolina documenting and producing repair drawings for historically significant churches and buildings in Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and throughout the Southeastern U.S.  Jennifer has worked for Harboe Architects, PC in Chicago where she had the opportunity to work on numerous historically significant buildings including Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple restoration, Sullivan Center Cast Iron Restoration, Mies Van der Rohe's Crown Hall at IIT, and Main Building at IIT.

Jennifer is drawn to the hands-on aspect of field work, building documentation, and investigation. She enjoys the challenge of marrying historic construction methods and detailing with modern design solutions. She currently resides in Oak Park where she is inspired on a daily basis by the large variety of early twentieth century architectural styles.

Jennifer has been working with Abode Architects since 2018. She is a licensed Architect in the State of Ohio and NCARB Certified. She currently serves as an active member of the Restoration Committee at Pleasant Home in Oak Park. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys bike riding with her family, sailing, and traveling.