Founded in 1922 by Joy Morton of the Morton Salt Company, the 1,700-acre arboretum is one of the nation’s largest and most frequently visited horticultural preserves. The Arboretum was the firm’s first client in 1990, retaining Bauer Latoza Studio for the development of a masterplan, a new park pavilion, and the renovation of the Thornhill Education Center. Thoughout the years, Bauer Latoza Studio has completed numerous projects for the Arboretum including, in 2012, a masterplan update to expand the Arboretum’s outreach and educational mission. The masterplan included several new projects including a Tree Adventure Area, an Events Pavilion, The Trees of the World Exhibit, The South Farm Maintenance Complex, and improvements to parking and wayfinding.

• Tree Adventure Area: Architectural and site design for the 14-acre site to provide a tree canopy and ground-level experience balancing natural features with built structures.

• Events Pavilion: Design for a rental facility to accommodate 400+ people, a kitchen, restrooms, and storage.

• Trees of the World Area and Visitor Station: Site, architectural, and interpretive design to showcase the Arboretum’s diverse tree collection.

• South Farm Maintenance Complex: Architectural and site design for the new sustainable facility for staff offices, shops, and storage.

• Main Entrance Enhancement: Site and landscape design along Interstate 88, IL Route 53, and the visitor arrival onto the Arboretum grounds.

• Children’s Garden: The re-design and enhancement of landscape, interpretive, and architectural feature for the 4-acre garden.

• West Side Parking Expansion: Site and landscape architectural design for a sustainable permanent parking facility and pedestrian bridge.