Scott J. Kozak, President and principal Architect

Scott was raised in Downers Grove, Illinois. At a young age he became interested in building and designing structures of all kinds. He continued and grew his interest through high school where he received a number of awards for his designs and drawings. After high school he continued his interests by studying architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a major in Architecture. While in College his attention focused on residential architecture and his passion for it grew. He worked for a local home builder one summer in Champaign, Illinois creating home plans and helping on the jobsite. Another summer he interned with a residential architect in Barrington, Illinois.

He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. After graduation he gained valuable experience as an intern with Tsolinas, Moreno & Associates and later with RBG & Associates. Both are mainly commercial design-build firms in the Chicagoland area. In 1998 he become licensed and turned his focus back to residential architecture when he joined Vintage, Inc., a high-end residential design/build firm near Barrington, Illinois. As principal architect he was able to leverage his extensive design/build experience for his passion. He gained valuable experience working with the latest high-end materials and technologies on multimillion dollar custom homes. The projects allowed a vast amount of freedom to design without limitations. With a team of talented designers, landscape architects and builders, he was able to produce impeccably detailed, traditional European style designs that are recognized as some of the finest homes in the area.

In 2006 his focus became more defined when it became obvious that the residential market lacked the principals of sustainable design. Later that year as his passion for sustainable residential design took shape, and with a desire to leverage his knowledge and experience in construction, high-end residential design and traditional European styles, he formed Scott John Kozak Architects, Inc. Scott currently holds licenses in Illinois and Wisconsin. He was appointed and currently sits on the Barrington Architectural Review Commission. He is a member of the AIA Northeast Illinois, The American Institute of Architects, The Association of Licensed Architects (ALA), and the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Building Certification Institute. He continues to serve as a mentor for a number of up and coming young architects through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) along with being involved with numerous other local area organizations.

Erin Mihelich, project manager

Erin was raised in the small town of Greenville, Illinois, 50 miles east of St. Louis. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies degree in 2001 and her Master of Architecture degree in the Historic Preservation Option in 2003. Erin spent the 1999-2000 school year studying abroad at the Ecole d’Architecture in Versailles, France. During that time, she travelled extensively throughout Europe, studying the diverse vernacular architectural styles of each different country.

Residential architecture has been the concentration of Erin’s professional experience. Her experience includes new custom residences as well as additions and renovations to existing homes. Designing homes has been a passion. She applies her understanding of historic styles to create traditionally-inspired new homes or historically sensitive additions.

Erin joined Kozak Architects in October 2008.

Kristie Tyler, Architectural Draftsman

Kristie was raised in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Residential architecture was the attraction that inspired Kristie to study architecture. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies degree in 2008. She is currently working as an intern to gain experience for the Intern Development Program of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). She plans to attend graduate school in the next few years to receive her Masters of Architecture degree.

Kristie joined Kozak Architects in October 2008.

Robert Brainard, Intern Architect

Robert spent time growing up in both Gurnee, Illinois and in Lewis Center, Ohio, a small suburb of Columbus. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated in 2009 with his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies degree. He is currently pursuing his Masters of Architecture degree in the Structures Option at Illinois and expects to receive it in 2011. Robert is working toward licensure through the NCARB’s Intern Development Program during summer and winter breaks from school.

Robert joined Kozak Architects in May 2008