John "Jack" H. Catlin, FAIA
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Title
John "Jack" H. Catlin, FAIA
Description
Profile and biography of John "Jack" H. Catlin, FAIA.
Person Item Type Metadata
Occupation
Architect
Biographical Text
“My goal has always been to integrate architecture and accessibility in a seamless process.”
John "Jack" F. Catlin is considered to be a pioneer in creating environments for people with disabilities by promoting design elements in the built environment to advance a more inclusive, sustainable society.
He did his graduate studies in architecture at the University of Illinois–Chicago (UIC). When he started in 1978, the UIC Art and Architecture Building predated the new legislation of 1973, which its more than a dozen level changes and idiosyncratically complex floor plan made perfectly clear. The Brutalist building inspired him along with architects, Richard Lerner, AIA, and Doug Mohnke, AIA to found LCM Architects.
He is a Partner at LCM Architects, a firm based out of Chicago, Illinois, and spearheaded the creation of Access Living's headquarters and building also in Chicago. Access Living is one of the earliest examples of universal design and green design – sustainable, environment friendly – to be built in the United States.
Catlin was appointed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. Access Board, the federal agency responsible for developing guidelines under the ADA, and was the first practicing architect to serve as Chair. His experience with the needs of the disability community and his understanding of the ADA have been instrumental in developing federal, state, and local accessibility codes that have significant implications for the design and building industries. Jack co-chaired the committee that developed Chicago’s first comprehensive accessibility code as part of the revisions to the Chicago Building Code.
Catlin is a wheelchair user himself.
John "Jack" F. Catlin is considered to be a pioneer in creating environments for people with disabilities by promoting design elements in the built environment to advance a more inclusive, sustainable society.
He did his graduate studies in architecture at the University of Illinois–Chicago (UIC). When he started in 1978, the UIC Art and Architecture Building predated the new legislation of 1973, which its more than a dozen level changes and idiosyncratically complex floor plan made perfectly clear. The Brutalist building inspired him along with architects, Richard Lerner, AIA, and Doug Mohnke, AIA to found LCM Architects.
He is a Partner at LCM Architects, a firm based out of Chicago, Illinois, and spearheaded the creation of Access Living's headquarters and building also in Chicago. Access Living is one of the earliest examples of universal design and green design – sustainable, environment friendly – to be built in the United States.
Catlin was appointed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. Access Board, the federal agency responsible for developing guidelines under the ADA, and was the first practicing architect to serve as Chair. His experience with the needs of the disability community and his understanding of the ADA have been instrumental in developing federal, state, and local accessibility codes that have significant implications for the design and building industries. Jack co-chaired the committee that developed Chicago’s first comprehensive accessibility code as part of the revisions to the Chicago Building Code.
Catlin is a wheelchair user himself.
Bibliography
John H. Catlin, LCM Architects. Disability Lead. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2022, from https://www.disabilitylead.org/network/john-catlin.
John H. Catlin, FAIA. LCM Architects. (2021, March 24). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.lcmarchitects.com/team/john-h-catlin-faia/.
Mortice, Z. (n.d.). Design for all requires a culture change in architecture. AIA (The American Institute of Architects). Retrieved April 30, 2022, https://www.aia.org/articles/6215411-design-for-all-requires-a-culture-change-i.
Our Building - Accessibility for all at Access Living. Access Living. (2019, September 4). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.accessliving.org/who-we-are/our-building/.
John H. Catlin, FAIA. LCM Architects. (2021, March 24). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.lcmarchitects.com/team/john-h-catlin-faia/.
Mortice, Z. (n.d.). Design for all requires a culture change in architecture. AIA (The American Institute of Architects). Retrieved April 30, 2022, https://www.aia.org/articles/6215411-design-for-all-requires-a-culture-change-i.
Our Building - Accessibility for all at Access Living. Access Living. (2019, September 4). Retrieved May 1, 2022, from https://www.accessliving.org/who-we-are/our-building/.
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Citation
“John "Jack" H. Catlin, FAIA,” Disability Inclusivity in Medicine: Representations, Policies, Environment, and Technologies, accessed April 27, 2025, https://mail.dhd752groupproject.digital.uic.edu/items/show/25.