Margaret Cavenagh

Principal, Managing Director, Chicago

For Margaret, design comes from working with what’s already there. “Every project contains a clue about where to begin,” she says. “It’s a process that unfolds over time, shaped by the many voices and identities that come and go.” She gravitates toward projects that celebrate this continuity—transforming existing buildings or restoring public spaces to keep them relevant today and resilient into the future. To her, the success of a project is measured by its connection to its place, by how much it feels like it’s always belonged there.

Margaret grew up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, but for over 30 years Chicago has been home. Throughout her career, she’s worn many hats, embracing a hands-on, “do whatever it takes” mindset, whether managing projects, building client relationships, or mentoring teams. She’s always led with empathy.

As managing director of our Chicago studio, Margaret is committed to nurturing our collaborative, supportive environment. Here, trust, open communication, and a shared vision fuel creativity and enable personal and professional growth.

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Say hello to Margaret
Family of four
Near the Duomo in Milan, IT
"I love traveling with my husband and two children and will keep doing it as long as Harry and Kate are willing to explore more buildings than they ever thought possible with their architect parents!"
Chicago has always been an incubator for new ideas, risk-taking, and innovation, particularly in design, and I’m excited to keep that energy flowing into our workplace. My goal is to continue to inspire, empower, and create spaces that uplift and move people.
Brion Vega Tomb, Altivole, Italy
Olivetti Showroom, St. Mark’s Square, Venice, Italy
"I admire the sculptural qualities of Carlo Scarpa’s work and applaud his precise details incorporating the organic and imperfect characteristics of concrete and stone so beautifully."
View from Birch Island in Sand Lake along the Rideau Canal, Ontario, Canada
"My parents’ cottage, located on a small island on a lake in Ontario, is where many favorite memories were made for me, my children, and my extended family. City living and work are forgotten the moment we catch the inimitable scent of cedar and lake air from the marina dock!"
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