About

Ernest C. Wong is the co-Founder and Principal of site design group, ltd. (site), an urban design and landscape architecture firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The evolution of site under Ernie’s leadership has transformed both the firm and the profession in the City of Chicago into a resource for creative design solutions and thoughtful community-oriented urban spaces. An advocate of contextually designed public open spaces and urban parks, Mr. Wong has directed nationally award-winning projects including Mary Bartelme Park, Henry Palmisano Park (formerly Stearns Quarry), and Argyle Shared Street. Recent projects include the Pullman National Monument, McCormick Square, the Old Chicago Post Office, and serving as the local landscape architect for the Obama Presidential Center. The firm’s numerous waterfront projects include the 31st Street Harbor, Ping Tom Memorial Park, and Riverwalk East, which has led to the Framework Plan for the North Branch Chicago River, Chicago and Milwaukee’s new Riverfront Guidelines, and the River Edge Ideas Lab, an international design competition as a futuristic vision of waterfront development.

An advocate of civic and service leadership, Mr. Wong chairs the Permit Review Committee on the Chicago Landmarks Commission, juries the Driehaus Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design, and is the incoming Chair of the Near South Planning Board. Having served on numerous boards such as the Student Conservation Association, the Chinese American Service League, YWCA and the Presidents Council of the Museum of Science and Industry, Ernie’s commitment to advocacy, civic and cultural engagement is at the forefront of his efforts. Named “Chicagoan of the Year” in 2012 by the Chicago Tribune, Mr. Wong is a frequent speaker at universities as well as design, business, and diversity conferences. In 2016, Mr. Wong was invited as the keynote speaker at the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Continuing to serve as a panelist for the Mayor’s Institute on City Design, Ernie served on the Transition Committees of both Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot and continues to advise the Asian Caucus of Illinois Legislators on community and planning efforts.

Ernest C. Wong is the co-Founder and Principal of site design group, ltd. (site), an urban design and landscape architecture firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The evolution of site under Ernie’s leadership has transformed both the firm and the profession in the City of Chicago into a resource for creative design solutions and thoughtful community-oriented urban spaces. An advocate of contextually designed public open spaces and urban parks, Mr. Wong has directed nationally award-winning projects including Mary Bartelme Park, Henry Palmisano Park (formerly Stearns Quarry), and Argyle Shared Street. Recent projects include the Pullman National Monument, McCormick Square, the Old Chicago Post Office, and serving as the local landscape architect for the Obama Presidential Center. The firm’s numerous waterfront projects include the 31st Street Harbor, Ping Tom Memorial Park, and Riverwalk East, which…

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