LEADERSHIP

From nationally recognized homeless facilities to land planning, to a museum that honors the past while demonstrating a contemporary design, R.E. Chisholm Architects provides excellent service since 1982. The team is comprised of experts in architecture, urban planning, urban design, and interior design; excelling in cutting-edge technology, construction documents, and award-winning designs

The discipline of architecture requires architects to attend to the client’s need to comprehend their goals, and manifest their ideas into a physical structure, creating a comfortable and functional atmosphere for its occupants.

Robert E. Chisholm, FAIA, NCARB

Chairman/ CEO
B. Arch, Masters in Urban Design
Registered Architect, Urban Design and Interior Design

Founded in 1982, RE Chisholm architects has played a part in the making of numerous Institutional, Corporate, Residential, Planning and Urban projects.

Mr. Chisholm has over 47 years of experience in architecture, urban design, and interior design. He has extensive experience in a wide array of building occupancy types, including new construction and building renovations. Mr. Chisholm’s professional expertise is in the multifamily and mixed-use residential sector, and includes designing projects involving building assessments, renovations, code compliance, interdisciplinary coordination, construction detailing and field investigations.

Mr. Chisholm has designed over 15,000 apartments units. He has worked in 8 Countries which include the United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, The Bahamas, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic and 8 States with private and public-sector clients.

Formerly a staff member of the Metro Dade County Manager's Office in the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) during the 1970's. Mr. Chisholm was Lead Principal Planner in charge of planning and implementation of capital improvement projects in several urban neighborhoods. Mr. Chisholm dealt directly with members of the Federal, State, County and City governments in planning, funding and implementation of projects.

Since the early 1980's, Mr. Chisholm has been involved in numerous architectural and urban design projects which include public school design, rapid transit stations, state laboratories, university facilities, school facilities, surgical center, commercial centers, theater and airport facilities; many of the projects have received design award recognition.

Community Participation

Current Community Activities:
  • Chapman Partnership for Homeless, Inc. / Past Chairperson, Board of Directors and Executive Committee / Chairman, Design and Construction Committee
    • Mr. Chisholm was named to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Community Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. (CPH) in Dade County, Florida in 1993 and was also chairman of the Design and Construction Committee, which he designed and completed two prototype homeless assistance centers (HAC) to assist the 6,000 homeless men, women and children in South Florida.
    • The CPH Board of Directors established the Robert E. Chisholm Service Award upon his retirement as Chairman of the Board. He remains on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and assists in the CPH Expansion plans and as Chairman of Design and Construction.
  • Miami / American Institute of Architects, Member / Past President / Member
  • American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) / Member
  • FIU College of Architecture, College of Arts and Science + The Arts/Dean’s Leadership Advisory Board
  • US Green Building Council / National Member
  • South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce / Past Chairman Board of Directors / Member
  • Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce / Member
  • St. Thomas University Board of Directors / School of Theology
  • Divine Mercy Faustinum / Board of Directors
  • Citizens Board / University of Miami
  • Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce / Member – City Beautiful Awards / Judge
  • Cuban Exile History Museum – Board of Directors / Ad-Hoc Member
  • Miami / American Institute of Architects Sea Level Rise Task Force / Member
Past / Recent Community Activities:
  • Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce / Member, New World Center Committee 2008 - 2010
  • Latin Builders Association / Member / Past member Board of Directors 1992 / 2004
  • South Beach Hispanic Chamber of Commerce / Member / Past Chairperson 1993
  • Beacon Council / Member, Board of Trustees, Art and Business Committee, Executive Committee 2008 - 2009
  • State of Florida / American Institute of Architects / Past member Board of Directors
  • Pax Communications, Archdiocese of Miami, Board of Directors / Chairman, Development Committee 2004 - 2008
  • Miami-Dade County Housing Advisory Committee (CAHSA) / Housing Policy Task Force/Mayor’s Land Use Task Force/Chairman-2007
  • Legatus / Member / Board of Director/ 2008 - 2009
  • Kiwanis Club of Little Havana / Past member / 1989 - 2010
  • South Florida National Parks Trust / Emeritus Board Member, Past Chairperson for Everglades, Biscayne and Dry Tortugas National Parks / Chairman of Development Committee 2002 – 2006
    • oIn June 2002, Mr. Chisholm was named Chairman of the South Florida National Parks Trust, which is part of the National Parks Foundation, chartered by Congress in 1967, and chaired by David Rockefeller Jr. which works directly with the United States National Parks System and the US Department of the Interior.
  • Joint Civilian Orientation Conference / JCOC 65 / US Dept. of Defense / Participant 2002
  • Miami-Dade County Partnership for Recovery, Board Member 2007
  • Miami Dade College/ Hall of Fame Committee / Member 2005
  • CALL/Catholic Association of Latino Leaders / Miami Chapter Board Member 2009
  • Miami/American Institute of Architects / National Conference 2010 Host Committee Member 2009 – 2010
  • Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews / Board of Directors / Member 2013 and 2014
  • St. Augustine Catholic Church / Finance Council 2011 – 2015
  • United Way / Tocqueville Society / Member 2012 – 2013
  • Urban Development Review Board for the City of Miami/ Chairman
  • Latin Quarter Review Board/ Vice-Chairman over a four-year period

Robert E. Chisholm, FAIA, NCARB

Chairman & CEO

Download Resume (PDF)

Matthew Polak, AIA, LEED AP

President of Architecture

In keeping with the core value of the firm, Mr. Polak as President of Chisholm Architects is involved in all phases of the project’s development and acts as the projects and the client’s direct contact throughout the entire project.

Mr. Polak has over 34 years o f experience and has served since 1988 initially as Architect / Project Manager for a variety of projects in both, the public and private sector, including new construction, renovations, additions and conversions, housing developments, multipurpose facilities, office buildings, institutional facilities, historic structures, airports, restaurants, banks, hotels and medical facilities.

Mr. Polak is a member of the American Institute of Architects and on the Board of Directors of several community organizations. In addition, he has LEED, AP certification for environmental sustainability.

As President of Chisholm Architects since 2012, Mr. Polak is in charge of the technical direction of the projects for programming, planning, design, construction documents and construction administration for all projects and keeping with the core value of the firm. He is also in direct contact with the client and will ensure the project goals are understood and implemented within our firm and the entire a/e team.

Mr. Polak’s leadership includes numerous architectural and urban design projects which include public school design, rapid transit stations, state laboratories, university facilities, school facilities, surgical centers, commercial centers, theater, museum and airport facilities and many of the projects have received design award recognition.

He is married to Alexandra Polak and has (two) daughters, Emma, and Isabella. He resides in Coral Gables, Florida.

Matthew Polak, AIA, LEED AP

President of Architecture

Download Resume (PDF)