Business Details
14 Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Design Partner in LaGrange, IL
845 Design Group is a full-service architectural design firm dedicated to creating informed, community-focused solutions that advance client goals. Founded in 2012 by Megan Harte and Jamie Zaura, we bring over 25 years of combined experience in healthcare, municipal, commercial, and residential markets. Our metric-based approach ensures innovative designs that enhance quality of life while adhering to integrity and accountability. As a Certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), we prioritize relationship-building and evidence-based design to deliver spaces that positively impact communities.Our team holds specialized accreditations including EDAC for healthcare design and LEED AP for sustainable practices. We serve public and private sector clients from pre-design through occupancy, with a proven track record of exceeding expectations through timely communication and creative problem-solving. Our guiding principles of relationships, integrity, quality of life, and professional spirit shape every project we undertake.
Services
Healthcare Planning
Interior Design
Sustainable Design
Construction Administration
Space Planning
Historic Restoration
LEED Certification
ADA Compliance
Master Planning
Evidence-Based Design
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- Over 25 years combined experience in healthcare, municipal, commercial, and residential markets
- Certified Women's Business Enterprise with state and national accreditations
- Client-focused approach with proven evidence-based design methodology
- Specialized expertise in ADA compliance and sustainable design solutions
- Timely communication and responsive project management from concept to completion
Associations and certifications
- EDAC (Evidence-Based Design Accreditation)
- LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
- Certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE)
What people say
Creative solutions
Timely communication
Professional team
Responsive to needs
Evidence-based design
Services
Healthcare Planning
Specialized architectural planning for healthcare facilities that prioritize patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. Our evidence-based approach creates healing environments that improve clinical outcomes while meeting strict healthcare standards. With dedicated EDAC-certified professionals, we deliver spaces that balance functionality with compassionate care.
Interior Design
Comprehensive interior architecture services that optimize spatial functionality while maintaining aesthetic integrity. We create tailored environments for commercial, municipal, and healthcare settings through detailed programming analysis and material specification, ensuring spaces meet both practical requirements and brand identity needs across diverse project types.
Sustainable Design
LEED-certified design solutions that integrate environmentally responsible practices without compromising functionality. Our approach combines energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and passive design strategies to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term cost savings for clients across all project sectors.
Historic Restoration
Specialized preservation services for historic buildings that maintain architectural integrity while meeting modern requirements. We employ traditional techniques and materials expertise to restore structural elements, facades, and interior features, ensuring compliance with preservation standards while enhancing building functionality for contemporary use.
Master Planning
Comprehensive planning services that create cohesive development strategies for complex sites. Our data-driven approach considers zoning regulations, site constraints, and future growth projections to develop scalable solutions that optimize land use while maintaining architectural harmony across multiple project phases.
People
Megan Harte
Founding Principal
AIA-certified architect with specialized EDAC and LEED AP accreditations, Megan brings 15+ years of healthcare design experience. She leads evidence-based design initiatives and holds leadership roles in professional organizations.
Jamie Zaura
Founding Principal
Co-founding principal with extensive municipal project expertise. Serves as Village Trustee while managing complex public sector architectural projects that require multi-stakeholder coordination and regulatory compliance.
Questions
What architectural services does 845 Design Group offer?
We provide full-service architectural design including healthcare planning, interior design, sustainable solutions, historic restoration, and master planning for municipal, commercial, and residential clients.
What makes 845 Design Group unique?
Our evidence-based design approach combines 25+ years of combined experience with specialized accreditations in healthcare (EDAC) and sustainability (LEED AP) to create functional, community-focused spaces.
How does the design process work?
We follow a structured process from initial consultation and programming through construction administration, maintaining continuous client collaboration to ensure project goals are met at every stage.
Are you certified as a women-owned business?
Yes, we are a Certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) with the State of Illinois, Cook County, City of Chicago, and WBENC national certification.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in LaGrange, Illinois, we serve clients across the Chicago metropolitan area, Illinois, and nationally through strategic partnerships for out-of-state projects.
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