We are a team of curious creatives working to tackle design challenges within our community and around the world.
Chicago
Logan Square
3231 West Armitage Avenue
Ciudad de Panamá
Sta. Maria Business Park
PH Prime 507
Partners
Cristina Gallo, AIA
Architect + Owner
Left Brain
A proud native of Cali, Colombia, Cristina has immersed herself in the culture of Panamá over the past 20 years. This cross-cultural background continues to drive her architectural sense, and inspires the studio’s expansive portfolio of work across Latin America.
Cristina is an architect and co-founder of Via Chicago, overseeing the careful execution of all design projects. She is constantly forging new connections with the local community, industry partners, and future collaborators.
A University of Notre Dame graduate, Cristina also holds a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) from Roosevelt University. She is a licensed architect in both Illinois and the Republic of Panamá, and never, ever runs out of words.
✖ Licensed Architect - Illinois
✖ Arquitecta - Panamá
✎ University of Notre Dame
✒ Roosevelt University
Marty Sandberg, AIA
Architect + Owner
Right Brain
Marty Sandberg is an architect and co-founder of Via Chicago, where he leads the design direction of architectural projects and encourages creative debate among our talented team.
Design-oriented and endlessly curious, Marty is constantly looking for new solutions hiding in our everyday surroundings. He has the ability to quickly translate complex ideas and early thoughts into animated freehand sketches and immersive stories. His path to architecture was an unconventional one, including several summers building log homes throughout the Rocky Mountains and laboring as an electrical apprentice in Denver high-rises.
Marty maintains an active NCARB certificate, and is a licensed architect in several states. He is a hopeless Cubs fan, never gets lost, and is always up for trying a new local beer (thanks for asking!)
✖ Licensed Architect - Illinois, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin
✎ University of Notre Dame
Team
Hailing from southern Patagonia, CAROLINA ARECHETA brings a unique perspective on the way architecture relates with the natural world. Her passion for design - and life in general - is contagious, infusing the studio with lively energy on a daily basis.
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Arquitecta - Chile
Universitat de Barcelona
Universidad Finis Terrae
A resident of Panamá with deep roots in the Midwest, TONY WAY has more than 20 years of experience in architectural and urban design across Panamá, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, and throughout the United States. Tony places a special emphasis on how buildings relate to their context: the urban forms, climatic concerns, and local language.
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Arquitecto - Panamá
University of Notre Dame
A proud lifelong resident of Panama City, ANDREA QUIJADA is energized by complex architectural puzzles and overcoming them with creative, innovative solutions. She carefully coordinates Via Chicago’s growing portfolio of high-end residential work, with a keen eye for quality detailing and clever spatial planning.
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Arquitecta - Panamá
Universidad de Panamá
A Chicago native steeped with over 15 years of experience in Chicago's eclectic restaurant scene, JENNIFER WALTERS has worked with some of the city's most well known restaurant groups, chefs and mixologists. Through thoughtful collaborations with consultants and contractors, and a keen eye for detail, she helps brings the clients vision from dreams to reality.
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Licensed Architect - Illinois
University of Illinois
Throughout the past 20+ years, CLAUDIO LÓPEZ has played a leading role in some of Panama City’s most outstanding residential buildings. With an exacting eye and a knack for catching even the smallest error in a drawing set, Claudio keeps our own team of designers on their toes - and our complex projects right on track.
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Arquitecto - Panamá
Universidad Santa María La Antigua
MAGYORI RUÍZ is constantly searching for ways to improve the studio's residential projects in Panamá. With a focus on modern concepts, she tirelessly refines even the tiniest details to ensure flawless execution. Her experience as an "in the field" architect prior to joining our team brings an added value in creating both beautiful and functional designs in every project she undertakes.
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Arquitecta - Panamá
Universidad Interamericana de Panamá
Why Us?
We believe in an honest, collective approach to the design process, and the transformative power of having the right people at the table. Our architects bring a uniquely Pan-American perspective to each project, and a history of delivering remarkable design solutions with a surprisingly small team.
Simply put, we get things done.
Certification
Licensed Architect — Illinois / Colorado / Florida / Indiana / Michigan / Wisconsin / Panamá / Chile
M/WBE Certified Business (City of Chicago)
Self-Certification Architect (City of Chicago)
Invest South/West Pre-Qualified Designer
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) Technical Assistant
Affiliations
Press & Awards
2024 / AIA Chicago Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award (The Snug)
2024 / DWELL “ADUs Were Banned in Chicago for Almost 70 Years. This Woman Just Built One of the First.”
2023 / AIA Illinois Honor Award for “Excellence in Master Planning”
2023 / Clark Street In Uptown Could Get Protected Bike Lanes, Public Spaces And Less Parking As Part Of Master Plan
2023 / The Hottest 10 New Restaurants in Chicago Right Now (Tasa Coffee Roasters, January 2023)
2022 / ARCHITECT Magazine “Next Progressives”
2022 / Indoor farm in Springfield completes first harvest
2022 / Not your granny’s granny flat
2022 / Square Roots newest, largest operation celebrates opening, empowering Kenosha's next generation of farmers
2021 / Everything You Need to Know About Building an ADU in Chicago
2021 / Kenosha City Council OKs indoor garden facility
2021 / Square Roots Unveils Its Third Modular Indoor Farm, Built in Just 3 Months
2021 / Square Roots and GFS host ribbon cutting for indoor farm
2021 / 120-Year-Old Warehouse In Logan Square Sees New Life As Food Prop Stylist’s Studio After Alderman Says No To Condos
2020 / Via Chicago brings three new affordable, single-family homes to Bronzeville
2019 / Gordon Food Service, Square Roots, unveil year-round indoor farm
2019 / Square Roots Opens New Indoor Farm In Partnership With Gordon Food Service In Michigan
2019 / Tiny houses and an international portfolio by two emerging professionals
2019 / A New Community Rises in Costa Rica, but Don’t Bring Your Car
2019 / These shipping container farms will soon be in grocery store lots across the U.S.
2018 / Coming to Englewood: Kimbal Musk's Square Roots urban farm in shipping containers
2018 / Developer adds tech spin to Englewood project
2018 / AIA Emerging Professionals Award / B.L.I.S.S. Tiny Homes
2018 / Tour Marz Community Brewing’s Taproom, Bringing Bridgeport Closer to the Future
2018 / Take a look inside the Marz Taproom, opening this weekend
2018 / Costa Rican Paradise, Made to Order for Travelers
2018 / Are tiny houses a solution to homelessness in Chicago?
2017 / AIA Emerging Professionals Award / Tiny Townhomes: Affordability by Design
2016 / How tiny houses can help serve Chicago’s homeless youth
2016 / Piccolo Sogno spinoff channels grandma
2016 / Piccolo Sogno Unpacks Nonnina, An Italian Sandwich Shop/Lounge Hybrid In River North
2016 / A Sub Shop. A Velvety Lounge. River North. Go.
2016 / As A Guerrilla Movement, Tiny Homes May Emerge As Alternative To Shelters
2016 / Could 'Tiny Houses' Help Chicago's Homeless Population?
2016 / This Teeny, Tiny House Takes on a Big Problem
2016 / AIA Chicago announces Tiny Homes Competition winners
2016 / Tiny Homes Competition Winner Announced