David Erck

David had a passion for architecture at an early age. He began drawing floor plans by age eight, and each plan revolved around an internal courtyard. He studied architecture at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1976. He worked for a small architectural/engineering firm in Chicago for a few years whose principal client was O’Hare International Airport. He spent one summer mapping cracks on all major runways and got a great tan. He then went to work for Walgreen Co as a store planner, spending the next thirty years helping to develop more than 5000 stores as the Director of Architecture. David retired in 2009 and has since turned his attention to helping children and adults to find a passion for architecture, design and architectural history. He is currently developing a series of childrens books about architecture. David is married to director Cartherine Davis. They raised his daughters Alexa and Lauren Friedman in Wilmette. While renovating their 100 year old arts and crafts home, David served as the director of the Wilmette Historic Preservation Commission and currently volunteers at the Wilmette Historical Museum. David and Catherine have just completed the renovation of their retirement home in Northbrook, which revolves around an internal courtyard, helping to complete the architectural vision he had as a child.