This is who we are.

History

Although OKW as we know it today started in 1999, our firm has roots that date back to 1959. Originally rooted in corporate interiors and custom residential design, we have evolved to become one of Chicago’s leading providers of architectural, interior, and urban design solutions serving diverse markets. Whether or not you know who we are, you know our work.

Culture

Our culture is a reflection of our people. We are driven and talented professionals, but we are also compelling people with unusual hobbies and pursuits. Whether it’s furniture design, motorcycles, exotic cuisines, Rubik’s cubes, or long distance running, there’s someone at OKW for every interest.

Join our team! See all available jobs here.

The office

At OKW, our staff can work remotely if necessary. This means that our office has become more than a place to do work: it’s a hub for social engagement, to collaborate in-person, and inspire new ideas.

To keep the office a fun, and engaging place to be, we organize various events to make sure our face time is valuable and meaningful. These include fitness challenges, salon-style discussions, and activities geared at getting to know each other better.

Our people

Everyone at OKW has something that really gets them going (besides architecture and design, of course) and we are there to support them. A prime example is our strong-as-nails Women Build team, who have been helping women in underserved neighborhoods achieve the financial boon of homeownership since 2019.

OKW is constantly speaking with our amazing people to learn what they value and how we can help.