Cinda K. Lester is an architectural storyteller, and comes to storytelling through both sides of her family tree. Though she considers herself a Chicagoan, Cinda has traveled and lived all over the US. She and her husband Henri LamBeau met in architecture school at the University of Idaho, where they both received a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch). Cinda returned home from the great American West, bringing Henri along with her, and received her Master of Urban Planning and Policy (M.UPP) at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Cinda and Henri currently live in suburban Chicago with their 17-year-old son Cooper and 15-year-old daughter Kellar, both architectural storytellers in their own right, with pencil, computer and LEGO. Cinda is first and foremost a Lake Girl, and treasures every minute that she can get in southern Wisconsin on her water.
Cinda and Henri began 12/12 Architects & Planners LLC with one small project 18 years ago. Since then, the size and scope of our projects have grown - everything from front porches to new custom homes. Working in our own back yard to all over the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area - we're still growing, and happily so.
Our one-on-one design approach caters to you; and to that end, every single project is a custom design. We work with you to design the best possible places for you and your family – often creating solutions you might not have considered.
Big design ideas are great, but so are the little ones. How you and your family are going to use the space is vital to the overall design - more than just about the floors and walls. When you say that you desperately need more storage for the kids' toys, we understand. When you say that you can't stand your dining room for one more holiday get-together, we know what you mean. We can help.
12/12 Architects is highly recommended. Cinda Lester is wonderful to work with. She takes the time to work with you and understand what your needs and wants are. She has great ideas and is extremely patient and accommodating. You can count on 12/12 to get back to you in a timely fashion and meet your deadlines. I loved working with her.
Sandra Mitchell
From the beginning Cinda listened to us describe or need to design an addition to our home that would support multi generational living. It all starts with really listening, which allowed Cinda to design the prefect sized space we felt would support my aging mother in our home. Her collaborative style and understanding of the technical aspects yielded a perfect design. Additionally, she was readily available for feedback and to answer any questions our GC had regarding the plans during the bid process and afterward. I have to say I really value all of the time and effort she put into our project. It's a solid piece of architecture and the neighbors all say it blends really well with the...
Donna Giuliano
I have had a great experience with 12/12. Cinda isvery attentive and meet deadlines. She has also connected me with a wonderful contractor. My project is moving forward and I am happy with the results!
Shelley Strasser
Cinda drew the most amazing plans for us! She was very good at listening to all of the areas that we wanted to address, making sure all concerns were dealt with and made changes quickly and easily without issue. Even the permit guy and our builder commented that they were the best made plans they had ever seen. They were clear and included every detail needed. Cinda and Henri are thorough, professional and easy to work with. They helped our project go smoothly and we appreciate all the work they put in. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality architecture. Thanks 12/12 Architects!
Susanna Whitten
Cinda and 12/12 did an amazing job anticipating our needs in a complex multifamily project. We moved my In-laws in, (my father in law with Alzheimer's), and their new space couldn't be more perfect! It meets our now needs with his care and our future needs. Cinda did a wonderful job aiding us in the design process throughout the project!
Tanya Marquez
We completely renovated a foreclosure home. Cinda was a pleasure to work with and was always upfront and fair. She was able to give plans for our entire home quickly and with different option which was a huge help. We love our end result and can tell she truly cared about our home. The small company was a great fit for our project. I would highly recommend this company!
Dana MacKenzie
Working with 12/12 Architects and Planners was great. The attention to detail and being able to keep our goals in mind as well as making new suggestions. Cinda was very good at explaining the reasons for technical things and would explain how things fit into the Big picture. We also felt that she could accept our point of view when had discussions.
George Brown
12/12 Architects is highly recommended. Cinda Lester is wonderful to work with. She takes the time to work with you and understand what your needs and wants are. She has great ideas and is extremely patient and accommodating. You can count on 12/12 to get back to you in a timely fashion and meet your deadlines. I loved working with her.
Sandra Mitchell
From the beginning Cinda listened to us describe or need to design an addition to our home that would support multi generational living. It all starts with really listening, which allowed Cinda to design the prefect sized space we felt would support my aging mother in our home. Her collaborative style and understanding of the technical aspects yielded a perfect design. Additionally, she was readily available for feedback and to answer any questions our GC had regarding the plans during the bid process and afterward. I have to say I really value all of the time and effort she put into our project. It's a solid piece of architecture and the neighbors all say it blends really well with the...
Donna Giuliano
I have had a great experience with 12/12. Cinda isvery attentive and meet deadlines. She has also connected me with a wonderful contractor. My project is moving forward and I am happy with the results!
Shelley Strasser
Cinda drew the most amazing plans for us! She was very good at listening to all of the areas that we wanted to address, making sure all concerns were dealt with and made changes quickly and easily without issue. Even the permit guy and our builder commented that they were the best made plans they had ever seen. They were clear and included every detail needed. Cinda and Henri are thorough, professional and easy to work with. They helped our project go smoothly and we appreciate all the work they put in. We would highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality architecture. Thanks 12/12 Architects!
Susanna Whitten
Cinda and 12/12 did an amazing job anticipating our needs in a complex multifamily project. We moved my In-laws in, (my father in law with Alzheimer's), and their new space couldn't be more perfect! It meets our now needs with his care and our future needs. Cinda did a wonderful job aiding us in the design process throughout the project!
Tanya Marquez
We completely renovated a foreclosure home. Cinda was a pleasure to work with and was always upfront and fair. She was able to give plans for our entire home quickly and with different option which was a huge help. We love our end result and can tell she truly cared about our home. The small company was a great fit for our project. I would highly recommend this company!
Dana MacKenzie
Working with 12/12 Architects and Planners was great. The attention to detail and being able to keep our goals in mind as well as making new suggestions. Cinda was very good at explaining the reasons for technical things and would explain how things fit into the Big picture. We also felt that she could accept our point of view when had discussions.
George Brown
12/12 Architects is highly recommended. Cinda Lester is wonderful to work with. She takes the time to work with you and understand what your needs and wants are. She has great ideas and is extremely patient and accommodating. You can count on 12/12 to get back to you in a timely fashion and meet your deadlines. I loved working with her.
Sandra Mitchell
