At ChiLab Studio, we are proud to have a team of highly skilled and talented individuals who bring a diverse range of expertise to the table. Our team is comprised of designers, visual artists, technologists, innovation consultants, and educators. Each team member brings their own unique skillset to the studio, and collectively, we are able to create truly innovative and exceptional designs. Our team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Together, we strive to provide our clients with the highest level of service and craftsmanship. We are proud of the work we do and the impact it has on the community and the world.
Collaborators
Ben Stagl
Ben Stagl is an artist, design developer, and materials specialist. For over 2 decades he has actively worked to produce original works that blur the boundaries between sculpture, architecture, and interior design. Stagl's projects have ranged in scale from the intimate to the civic, and are informed both by a rich background in artisanal trade crafts as well as a passion for advanced digital practices.
His presence in the cities of Portland, Oregon and Chicago, Illinois have earned him honors and inclusions in publications such as: Interior Design Magazine, Architect Magazine, Modern Luxury, as well as papers including the Oregonian, The Chicago Sun Times, and the New York Times.
Ben Stagl's projects have been presented both nationally and internationally, and he is a founder and Studio Director at ChiLab Studio LLC, a bespoke project atelier servicing the Architecture, Interior Design, and Fine Art markets.
Over the course of his career, Stagl has collaborated with design firms such as Gensler, Architizer, Snarkitecture, Studio Gang, Knoll, and Holly Hunt as a design developer and materials specialist.
Stagl has contributed to civic projects such as restoration work for the Illinois State Capitol, as well as developing projects with DCASE and the Chicago Parks department to produce events and public artworks throughout Chicago, including contributions to the Mayor's Office at City Hall.
In 2021, Stagl's company ChiLab Studio was responsible for producing the reception feature wall and grand spiral stairs for the Uber Headquarters at the Old Post Office in Chicago, and in 2023 ChiLab completed a 450ft artwork for the new Terminal 5 terminal at O'Hare International Airport.
As an educator, Stagl retains a faculty lecturer position at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, teaching in the AIADO program.
Email: benstagl@gmail.com
Website: www.benstagl.com
ALLY REZA.
Ally Reza (born 1983) is an American artist and art fabricator. who resides in Chicago, IL. She specializes in working with glass, and her projects span a wide range of styles and mediums, including fine art sculpture, architectural design, lighting fixtures, and product design. Reza is renowned for pushing the boundaries of what is possible with glass as a material and is highly sought after for her innovative and unique approach.
Born in California, Reza received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Prior to opening her own special projects workshop REZALLY PROJECTS in 2020, she served as the Director of Glassworks for an arthouse furniture manufacturing company in Chicago. where she built out a diverse experience in glass production techniques. Reza has collaborated with many renowned artists and designers to create works in glass that have been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and her glass castings have recently contributed to the construction of the newly opened Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the 911 Memorial in New York, NY
In addition to her art practice and professional work, Reza is deeply involved in the glass casting community as an educator and mentor. She has led workshops at institutions such as the Corning Museum of Glass Studio, Ed Hoy Studio, and the Chicago Glass Collective, and has mentored students in the MDDO program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is also an active member of the Chicago Iron Casting community and played a key role in hosting the Glass Art Society conference in Chicago in 2014 and was a career panelist at the GAS conference in 2015 in San Jose, CA. Reza currently volunteers as the Small Metals area host at Pumping Station One, a community maker space in Chicago.
Email: allyreza@chilab.studio
Website: www.rezally.com
Bo Rodda.
Bo Rodda is a designer, visual artist, technologist, innovation consultant, and educator.
He has lectured widely on the critical intersection between the arts and sciences. He is currently the Professor of Practice in Design and Innovation at the Kaplan Institute of Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Bo specializes in navigating the intersection of art and design, culture, emerging technologies and change, and has over ten years of experience applying design thinking practices across industries and categories. At the heart of his diverse experience lies a common goal: unleashing the unique capabilities of highly capable, diverse teams to solve big problems.
Rodda received a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2002, and a Masters in Design for Emerging Technologies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects in 2010. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Email: wrodda@kaplan.iit.edu
Website: www.borodda.com
Kuan Wen Chiu
Kuan-Wen Chiu is a designer, product developer, and maker.
Chiu maintains a belief that good design is derived from the combination of thoughtful interpretation of user’s needs and innovative solutions. He is eager to exploit the possibilities of new technologies and materials in his work both professional and personal. As a designer, he enjoys being involved in every step in the life cycle of a product. From observation, research, sketching, modeling, design engineering, manufacturing, and even documentation.
Chiu graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Master’s degree in Designed Objects (MDDO - 2012). He currently Head of Design North America at IMPACT ACOUSTIC®. Chiu is also a founding member of Chicago's research & design laboratory, ChiLab.
Email: kuanwenchiu@gmail.com
Website: https://www.kuanwenchiu.com/
Alex Rauch
Alex is a conceptual artist, writer and performer from Oregon. After riding his bicycle to Chicago in 2011, he received his MFA from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2013. His artwork has been shown nationally from Boston to Seattle and featured in publications such as Art F City, Crain’s Business Journal, Yahoo News and most the Chicago Reader. As a writer, he has interviewed prominent artists including Ai Weiwei and Robert Storr.
Email: alexrauch84@gmail.com
Website: https://www.arauch.com/
James J. Riviello
Director of Glassworks at Pennsylvania Glassworks, James received his BFA in Glass from Tyler School of Art, and his MFA from Southern Illinois University. Over the past 20 years, he has dedicated much of his career to teaching glassmaking, and helping create several educational glass centers and art school studios. Since 2009, he has been focused on creating a new niche in the design industry for glass artisans. “21st century technology combined with the creativity of glass artists, has huge potential for art, design, and architecture of the future.” - JJ
Email: riviellojj@gmail.com
Josie Romero Castillo
Director of Glassworks at Pennsylvania Glassworks, James received his BFA in Glass from Tyler School of Art, and his MFA from Southern Illinois University. Over the past 20 years, he has dedicated much of his career to teaching glassmaking, and helping create several educational glass centers and art school studios. Since 2009, he has been focused on creating a new niche in the design industry for glass artisans. “21st century technology combined with the creativity of glass artists, has huge potential for art, design, and architecture of the future.” - JJ
Email: riviellojj@gmail.com
Devon Bonstein
Devon Bonstein is a seasoned artist, maker, and professional design-developer, with nearly 15 years of experience working in creative industries. He graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, specializing in sculpture and design. Devon’s experience with temporal art forms in his youth has influenced his work by inspiring him to pursue narrative through objects and design, as manifested by kinetics, interactivity, and function. Over his career, Devon has worked on projects for a variety of industries including interiors and furnishings, advertising, film, museums, and public art.
Email: devonbonstein@gmail.com
Website: https://www.the-ghost-company.com/