OKW Architects

On Saturday, our fantastic Women Build team assembled in Chicago's Austin neighborhood and, after months of raising awareness and funds, it was time to raise walls. The rain held back as our team finished the exterior drywalling of two homes, which included cutting, hoisting and mounting heavy gypsum panels. Under the leadership of co-captains Elizabeth Fischer and Mary Panter, we continue to raise the bar on our community outreach, internal fundraising, and team excitement. This year, we broke our all-time fundraising record by a wide margin ... and we're not done yet! There's a week left in October, which means there's still time to support Team #OKWOMEN. Follow us in the comments for the link to our fundraising page. Every dollar counts towards expanding homeownership in Chicago! #okwarchitects Habitat for Humanity Chicago

One of OKW's core values is to work with those that bring out the best in us. We love getting together with VALENTI for that exact reason. Our collaborations across market sectors are always special and result in truly wonderful spaces. A big thank you to the Valenti team and our client Loyola Academy for entrusting us with this project. Go Ramblers!

Our ACE Mentor Chicago Summer Fundraiser is just one week away!     https://lnkd.in/g69skGyH   Join us next Wednesday, September 24 at Elston Electric at the Salt Shed for an unforgettable evening of food, arcade games, raffle prizes, and more. This year’s raffle includes incredible prizes like:   - A Nano Trapezoid Bench with Triangle side table from Designlines Group - Football Tickets to Northwestern vs Minnesota at Wrigley Field by CW Kneeland - Blackhawks tickets from W.E. O'Neil - A Nomade Coffee Table from True Design - A Logiflex Milan Chair from Logiflex Hosted by our dedicated Associate Board, this event is your chance to support the next generation of design and construction professionals!   A huge thank you to our sponsors who’ve already committed their support: -Platinum: Thornton Tomasetti, Jacobs, Clune Construction Company, Perkins&Will, Gensler -Gold: Epstein Architecture, Engineering and Construction, W.E. O'Neil Construction, Gilbane Building, DLR Group, LJC, Mohawk Industries, Power Construction -Silver: Michael Baker International, Henricksen, Stantec, LIXIL, Mortenson, MEYER BORGMAN JOHNSON, PoliLam, OKW Architects -Bronze: HNTB, Zandur, Skender, Serge Ferrari Group Don't miss out—grab your tickets today and be part of this impactful night! https://lnkd.in/g69skGyH

The interiors group at OKW does it all. From corporate renovations to hospitality interiors, club environments, and retail buildouts, we use tried and true principles to guide our design thinking. We're looking for a talented interior designer to join our team. If this sounds like you, and you're looking for the next step in your career, check us out! Follow the link in the comments, get to know us, and send us your materials. #okwarchitects

Our design approach to dining spaces is all about comfort and context. This applies whether we're working in a club environment, in a standalone restaurant, within a food hall, as a corporate amenity, or as part of a broader mixed-use development. We want to create an elegant and unique experience that is not only inviting and comfortable, but distinct and of its place. Photography by Wayne Cable (1, 5, 6, 7), Mark Ballogg (2, 3), and Bruce Van Inwegen (4) #okwarchitects

The Urban Land Institute Magazine writes on the issues that are transforming the built environment, from innovative new design developments to the financial landscape that underpins them. The magazine recently published a story on several mall redevelopments across the nation, from New York to Colorado, Georgia, and Florida. "Repositioning U.S. Retail: More Malls as Mixed-Use Town Centers" tells many stories, but all of them about creative ways to bring relevancy, life, and value back to aging malls. Included in the story is our client Torburn Partners, Inc. and their ongoing reimagining of Sarasota Square from a suburban mall to a high-end lifestyle center. OKW has been collaborating with Torburn on this project, providing everything from master planning services all the way to logo and typeface design. We're excited to see it get the press it deserves. ➡️ Follow us in the comments for the link to the article. #okwarchitects

As our Director of Visualization and Digital Innovation, Michal Ciurej is a crucial member of our design team and office. In this role, he evaluates software, experiments with new tools, and elevates the visual storytelling of our work. But what makes him stand out are his instincts. Whether working within the confines of a project or creating spaces out of whole cloth, he knows the optimal views for projects of any scale. From amenity spaces in a luxe car condo development to an aerial layout of a large retail redevelopment, Michal always wows our clients. ➡️ Follow us in the comments for a profile on his work and his process. #okwarchitects

The city of Naperville requested that the Urban Land Institute convene a Technical Assistance Panel for what could be a transformative project surrounding its 5th Avenue Metra station. Our CEO Jon Talty assembled the team, chaired the panel, and steered its progress, using his decades of experience in both architecture and real estate development. The panel is an impressive collection of big thinkers, with experts in development, architecture, construction, urban planning, engineering, and real estate law among others. This group understands the magnitude and potential of this 14.5-acre site and how it can create a true sense of place and arrival for Naperville residents and visitors. The ULI will present their report on September 10 at a public meeting. #okwarchitects https://lnkd.in/eri25-DC

It's time for lucky number seven. 👷♀️ Our co-captains Elizabeth Fischer and Mary Panter have put together another amazing team for this year's Women Build, hosted by Habitat for Humanity Chicago. Joining our co-captains is an all-star team that includes Danielle, Gina, Grace, Jill, Joan, Olena, Rachel, and Sydney. In the last six years, the women in our office have raised more than $80,000 towards helping Chicago women achieve the financial benefits of home ownership. In 2025, we are out to break our fundraising record. If you want to help us out, you can find our donation page in the comments. Thank you for your support! #okwarchitects

Our summer issue is live! In our second installment of the OKW Quarterly, we're unveiling a new office renovation, shining a light on a longtime OKW client, and learning what our first Director of Visualization can do for our clients. Readers will also discover: 🎥 Cole's thoughts on sequels 📸 Which summer events we attended 👋 Our newest staff members and summer interns Check out our summer issue and sign up for updates here: https://lnkd.in/ep78Rgzz #okwarchitects Torburn Partners, Inc. #newsletter