Founded in 1981 by Val Schute, River Architects has evolved into a thriving practice with six studios: campus, civic, commercial, historic, religious, and residential. Every project is a chapter in a larger journey—where joint authorship leads to joint ownership. After 45 years, our pride lies not only in the landmarks you recognize, but also in the unsung projects that carry our quiet imprint.

To reflect and celebrate our past, we’ve turned inward—curating moments, memories, and milestones that reveal how our collective values have shaped the way we design. This reflection is not nostalgia, but a lens for the future: honoring the people, processes, and places that continue to guide our work forward.

The map below is a small sliver of our complete portfolio, highlighting just a few of the places where our work has quietly contributed to the fabric of communities over the past 45 years. Each red pin represents a collaborative effort, where our ideas, people, and partnerships came together to leave a lasting mark.

The Early Years: 1981-1990

The leap of faith to start the firm in 1981 with interest rates at 21.5% was the big move. The next few years were focused on finding projects to align with our studios of work. Our goal was to build a design firm with a reputation for creativity and collaboration.

The Growing Years: 1991-2000

The firm had built a foundation of quality work that supported pursuing larger and more complicated projects. Our portfolio was diverse enough to think big and we were successful with our first campus projects at Viterbo University and the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. In 1997 the firm name was deliberately changed to redirect the emphasis from individuals to our signature collaborative process.

The Transitional Years: 2001-2010

We were warned about the challenges surrounding a name change, but the transition was smooth. Our brand recognition had solidified and our marketing focus on pursuing more challenging projects intensified. We expanded our work with libraries, churches and commercial opportunities. The first big test of our resolve came in 2008 with the start of the recession.

The Established Years: 2011-2020

We survived the four-year recession and emerged ready to grow our portfolio. We strategically focused on large campus and one-of-a-kind projects. Our work on the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and multiple projects in the $20 to $80 million dollar range at the University of Wisconsin campuses at Superior, Eau Claire, Stout, Platteville and La Crosse are a testament to that resolve.

The Resilient Years: 2021-2026

We navigated significant challenges and demonstrated remarkable resilience. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted most of our projects for many months, we shifted our efforts strategically, focusing on the select projects that continued to move forward. This period strengthened our adaptability, refined our internal processes, and reinforced our commitment to delivering high-quality work.

Looking ahead, we are approaching major milestones with the upcoming completion of two complex institutional projects: Heritage Hall at UW–Stout and the Prairie Springs Science Center at UW–La Crosse.