OKW Architects

OKW Architects OKW Architects is a multi-disciplined architectural, interior design, and land planning firm that has served a wide range of clients for over 50 years.

It’s been a great month for our interiors team. We’re happy to announce that Serina Hammer and Mary Sladkowski have join...
05/26/2026

It’s been a great month for our interiors team. We’re happy to announce that Serina Hammer and Mary Sladkowski have joined OKW! They join Jess Ultreras, our senior interior designer, to form a promising team of creatives, strategists, and planners. The timing is perfect — we are busier than ever across market types and project sizes. Welcome to the team! // 📸:

We are thrilled to welcome to OKW our first Director of Business Development! Noel Abbott is officially an OKWer and rea...
05/18/2026

We are thrilled to welcome to OKW our first Director of Business Development! Noel Abbott is officially an OKWer and ready to find exciting new opportunities and introduce us to interesting people. He has hit the ground running, using his natural curiosity and people skills to spread the word about our amazingly talented people. We can’t wait to see the many ways he will amplify our message. // 📸:

If you haven’t visited our office in a while, you will notice a few changes. New seating, an improved layout, new work s...
05/12/2026

If you haven’t visited our office in a while, you will notice a few changes. New seating, an improved layout, new work settings, and a color palette that more closely reflects who OKW is in 2026. We’ve also created a new library and added better collaboration spaces (namely private phone booths, which have proven very popular). Stop by, say hi, and enjoy the new vibe. // 📸:

Our theme for our monthly photography contest was RESTORATION — a fitting theme for a firm dedicated to improving the bu...
04/29/2026

Our theme for our monthly photography contest was RESTORATION — a fitting theme for a firm dedicated to improving the built environment through architecture. The winner was this colorful framing of an interior that has seen better days in San Juan, Puerto Rico. But the remnants of colors, the exposed arched brick, and the playful shadows made this photo compelling precisely because of its imperfections. As designers, it’s an image that screams potential. //

Jess Ultreras has worked in large commercial real estate behemoths and boutique firms, always aiming to translate, advan...
04/14/2026

Jess Ultreras has worked in large commercial real estate behemoths and boutique firms, always aiming to translate, advanced spatial problems into elegant, functional environments. We’re excited that she has joined OKW as our Senior Interior Designer, using her ability to see design from different vantage points to bring our interiors team to the next level. Welcome to OKW! // 📸:

Our clients are busy creating exciting mixed-use hospitality environments nationwide. These spaces need sharp minds with...
04/07/2026

Our clients are busy creating exciting mixed-use hospitality environments nationwide. These spaces need sharp minds with a knack for collaboration and minding the technical details. This means that we’re looking for a senior project architect to join our team! If you think you’d be a good fit check out our website for more information. //

OKW recently led a field trip to an exciting adaptive reuse project by the lake. We’re working with Saddle and Cycle, a ...
04/06/2026

OKW recently led a field trip to an exciting adaptive reuse project by the lake. We’re working with Saddle and Cycle, a private club in Chicago to reimagine their ice rink into a multipurpose space for their members. Adapting a unique space like this requires innovative structural solutions, creative planning, and visionary thinking. We’re looking forward to sharing this project when it’s completed later this year. Thank you to and our construction partners at for entrusting us with this project’s plan and design. //

The theme for March was Repetition. Of any kind — patterns, tessellations, mirrors, colors. The results were a little bi...
03/25/2026

The theme for March was Repetition. Of any kind — patterns, tessellations, mirrors, colors. The results were a little bit of everything. But we are an architecture firm and our staff was drawn to moody, textural shots of sepia toned architecture. The first is 64 University Place’s detailed and layered brickwork, the second is the famous coffered ceiling of the DC Metro. Not a bad theme worth repeating. //

Our president has long thought that today’s architecture industry suffers from a major skills gap in between leaders and...
03/10/2026

Our president has long thought that today’s architecture industry suffers from a major skills gap in between leaders and new talent. In other words, a key level of staff is missing from many offices. She has posited that the Great Recession disproportionately hobbled this middle tier as firms cut staff to stay above water. Today, we’ve published a research paper in AIA Chicago’s flagship magazine, Chicago Architect., on this very issue. We look at the causes, how it has affected the industry, and what will happen if we do nothing. Naturally, it poses the question: what can we do to address this gap so that we protect and strengthen our wonderful industry? Visit our website to access the article! // 📸:

The latest issue of the OKW Quarterly is live! Join us for a spirited Q$A with our newest partner, Anders Rustin; a spot...
03/06/2026

The latest issue of the OKW Quarterly is live! Join us for a spirited Q$A with our newest partner, Anders Rustin; a spotlight into what it takes to evolve a Village; a sneak peek of a thought piece on architecture and the Great Recession; and of course, wonderful projects like the one featured here (HQ Residences). Visit our website for the full issue! // 📸:

Address

600 W Jackson, Suite 250
Chicago, IL
60661

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13127987700

Website

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