Francisco Carrera

Associate

As a child, Francisco Carrera loved tinkering with machinery, and he took a pre-engineering course in high school. But it wasn’t until a Chicago River architecture tour that he decided he would become an architect.

Since then, Francisco has drawn from his experience in both the architecture and construction industries for many duties such as field surveys, helping clients obtain zoning variances, and finding cost-effective solutions to facility challenges.

Prior to joining Legat, Francisco worked at a Chicago-based architecture firm, where he was a point of contact for Dollar General and Popshelf stores throughout the U.S. The projects ranged from retrofits and ADA compliance upgrades to new construction.

Additionally, Francisco served as a project manager for a general contractor. He communicated with all team members to make sure projects were completed on time and within budget.

Francisco also grew up working for his family’s construction company. There he performed manual labor, operated heavy machinery, coordinated suppliers and contractors, and created estimates, proposals, and change orders. The experience not only gave him a strong understanding of cast-in-place concrete but also allowed him to visualize plans in three dimensions.

As a Legat Chicago studio member, Francisco has contributed to educational projects including a high school wrestling addition and elementary mechanical upgrades. For the latter project, he helped create a less costly way of routing ductwork.

During warmer months, Francisco likes riding his Yamaha V Star motorcycle, playing beach volleyball, and golfing. When the cold sets in, Francisco enjoys hitting the slopes with his snowboard.

Francisco holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago.