April 20, 2003 Mekus Studios Ltd is pleased to announce that its recently completed home remodeling project in Evanston, Illinois, was featured in an episode of New Spaces on cable television channel HGTV. The three-story, brick house, which was originally designed by revered architect E.A. Mayo in 1911, received a new stone and glass sunroom addition that not only completes the house but also realizes the original architect’s design vision. The episode was broadcast at 8:30 AM (Central Time) on April 19th, 2003. April 7, 2003 Mekus Studios Ltd is pleased to announce the groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of the Winnetka Community House, which occurred on April 4th, 2003. The $11 million renovation and expansion effort of the 91-year old facility involves changes for improved space usage, better zoning of activities, new space additions and site improvement. Its need to upgrade and expand its facilities is due largely to the growing number of families in the surrounding area combined with the high demand for the types of programs offered by the Community House. April 7, 2003 On Saturday, April 5th, 2003, Francis Cardinal George dedicated the new Misión San Juan Diego, designed by Mekus Studios Ltd. The recently completed $1.1 million renovation involved the conversion of the Scandinavian Club banquet hall in Arlington Heights, Illinois, into a new sanctuary seating up to 600 people. Additionally, Mekus Studios carved out space from existing restaurant, kitchen and bar areas to create new space for classrooms, offices, and conference rooms, as well as a choir room and multi-use parish hall for sizeable gatherings. June 3, 2002 Mekus Studios Ltd is pleased to announce that the design of the new Immaculate Heart of Mary Garden Crypt Complex at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois, has been awarded an APA Award for Excellence in Design and Manufacturing by the Architectural Precast Association. Sharing honors for the award was the precast manufacturer, International Concrete Products, Inc. of Germantown, Wisconsin. February 8, 2002 Mekus Studios Ltd is pleased to announce that Kenneth E. Giere, AIA, has been named a Principal of the firm. Mr. Giere joined the firm as a full-time employee in 1986, a mere two years after the firm's inception, and since that time has been responsible for managing many of the premiere architectural projects in the firm's religious practice. Mr. Giere has also played a significant role, during that time, as the senior manager of the firm's information technology systems. June 18, 2001 Mekus Studios Ltd is pleased to announce that it has been awarded First Place in the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter 2001 Design Excellence Competition for its design of AT&T Broadband's new 140,000-square foot Western Region Call Center in Oakbrook, Illinois. The competition category was "Contract-10,000 square feet and over." November 8, 2000 Mekus Studios Ltd recently completed the development of a Master Plan for the renovation and expansion of the Winnetka Community House in Winnetka, Illinois. The Master Plan outlines recommendations for improved space usage, better zoning of activities, new additions to the existing building, and site improvements. Of prime consideration is the improvement and expansion of space for Fitness, Theatre and Events, Youth, Administration, Storage, and Parking. In total, the Master Plan will add approximately 19,300-square feet of new space to the building, including a new theater addition. November 6, 2000 Mekus Studios has been awarded the contract to design the renovation and expansion of the Village Presbyterian Church of Northbrook, Illinois. Of prime consideration for the $5 million project is the improvement of vehicular and pedestrian circulation as well as the development of dedicated space for education, music and an improved library for the church. Completion is slated for late 2001. March 27, 2000 Mekus Studios Ltd of Chicago, Illinois, has been awarded the contract to design a new garden mausoleum and lawn crypt garden for Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Culver City, California. The new 5,400-crypt development will be located in the last remaining undeveloped portion of this landmark cemetery property. Occupying such a prominent spot in the cemetery between an existing garden mausoleum and a park area, the mausoleum was designed to make a statement identifying itself as the cemetery's flagship for the new millennium. Also, the building was designed to be "user friendly" to the surrounding community while complementing the two existing garden mausoleums within the cemetery. January 28, 2000 Mekus Studios Ltd, in association with Hammel Green & Abrahamson of Minneapolis, has been awarded the contract to renovate the Polk Street Residence Hall on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago. The $2.3 million project will convert the 6-story residence hall from a traditional dorm-style living space to a more contemporary mix of apartment-style accommodations, suites and single-occupancy rooms. In other news, Mekus Studios is currently designing the renovation and expansion of two North Shore churches, Winnetka Presbyterian Church and The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook.