Who served as the principal designer of the Art Institute of Chicago?

The Art Institute of Chicago’s principal design was executed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, an architectural firm that was responsible for the Beaux-Arts style design of the building. This firm was influential in the early 20th century and known for its classic and grand designs, which reflected the architectural trends of the time. Their design for the Art Institute was completed between 1893 and 1897 and showcased a dramatic and elegant façade that became iconic in Chicago's landscape.

While Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and Philip Johnson are all significant figures in architecture, they are associated with different projects and styles. Wright is known for his Prairie School designs, Sullivan is celebrated for his innovative skyscrapers and decorative elements, and Johnson later gained fame for his modernist and postmodernist works. However, none of them played a role in the specific design of the Art Institute of Chicago, which solidifies Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge’s association with this renowned building.