conner bumgarner

project architect

Of all the places to discover a love of architecture and design, Conner found it while studying ADA requirements in homes. A close relationship with a mobility-impaired family member urged Conner to begin seeing the built environment differently – with a sharper sense of empathy and through an experiential lens. Once she saw how her natural artistry could dovetail with architecture, her appreciation for such greats as Fay Jones and Timothy Hursley grew, showing how architecture can’t exist without art.

While earning her degree from the University of Arkansas, Conner began working at a small design studio, where she not only cut her teeth in architectural design, but in marketing, communications, and graphic design. This worked perfectly with her context-based philosophy towards architecture. For Conner, nothing exists in a vacuum, whether it’s the design itself or the way it’s presented to a client.

When she’s not “making the place for human stories to happen,” she’s a wholehearted artist: painting, designing lighting and furniture, or looking for the nearest glass-blowing studio to hone a new craft.

Most inspirational space: Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs. In Chicago, I love the beaches by the lake. Between Montrose Harbor and the Raccoon Area, there’s always something fun to paint.

If you could choose one superpower (but it can’t be teleportation): Controlling plants. Poison Ivy is my hero and my plants would probably appreciate dying less often.

The top 3 headliners in your fantasy music festival: Halestorm, Joan Jett, and AC/DC (can you imagine?)