Business Details
21 Years
experience
Chicago's Premier Architecture & Interior Design Firm
KOO is a Chicago-based architecture, interior design, and urban planning firm with over two decades of experience crafting buildings and interior environments that create unique identities for each project. Founded in 2005 by Jackie KOO, our firm combines creative experimentation with technical rigor to deliver innovative solutions across hospitality, residential, educational, and civic sectors. We are certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Womens Business Enterprise (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and maintain membership in the US Green Building Council.Our collaborative studio environment fosters design thinking, ensuring every project benefits from the collective expertise of our architects and interior designers. With a focus on sustainability and client-centric design, we transform spaces into experiences that reflect aspirations and ideas through a distinct visual language.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Urban Planning
Sustainable Design
Feasibility Studies
Zoning Compliance
Construction Documentation
LEED Certification
Space Planning
Community Engagement
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience in architecture and interior design.
- Our team holds certifications as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
- We are committed to sustainable design and are members of the US Green Building Council.
- Our collaborative studio environment ensures innovative solutions tailored to each project's unique needs.
- We specialize in diverse sectors including hospitality, residential, educational, and civic projects.
Services
Architecture
KOO provides comprehensive architecture services from feasibility studies to construction documentation. Our team ensures technical rigor while embracing innovative and experimental designs. Clients benefit from our expertise in diverse sectors including hospitality, residential, and institutional projects.
Interior Design
We specialize in interior architecture, space planning, and custom hospitality design. Our approach transforms environments into functional, inviting spaces by aligning aesthetics with client brand identity and user needs across residential and institutional settings.
Urban Planning
KOOs urban planning services include phasing, site planning, community engagement, and zoning analysis. We create sustainable, people-centric urban environments that balance development with existing community needs and infrastructure.
Sustainable Design
Our sustainable design practice focuses on LEED certification, net-zero energy goals, and eco-friendly materials. We integrate environmental responsibility into every project phase, ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefits for clients.
Construction Contract Administration
We manage construction processes to ensure compliance with design specifications, budgets, and timelines. Our team provides documentation, bidding support, and on-site administration to guarantee project success from concept to completion.
People
Jackie Koo
Founder
Jackie KOO founded KOO in 2005 after 15 years in corporate firms. With a background in philosophy and architecture, she has led diverse projects in hospitality, residential, and institutional sectors over her 25-year career.
Dan Rapppel
Director of Sustainable Design
Dan Rapppel leads sustainable design initiatives with 25 years of experience in institutional and commercial projects. He specializes in LEED-certified designs and has won four AIA awards, balancing sustainability with budget and schedule constraints.
Andrew Buck
Associate Principal
Andrew Buck oversees residential and hospitality projects, including the Sable Hotel at Navy Pier. With a decade at KOO, he brings expertise in complex developments from concept to construction completion.
Alyssa Herbst
Architect
Alyssa Herbst merges cultural influences into architectural solutions, focusing on community-driven spaces. Her work spans urban planning and furniture design, inspired by global architectural icons like Le Corbusier and Lina Bo Bardi.
Ashlen Williams
Designer
Ashlen Williams enriches urban communities through design informed by international experience. Her philosophy translates human experiences into architecture, with a focus on cultural and artistic integration in urban environments.
Questions
What services does KOO offer?
KOO provides architecture, interior design, urban planning, and sustainable design services, including feasibility studies, zoning compliance, construction documentation, and LEED certification.
What certifications does KOO hold?
KOO is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
What project types does KOO specialize in?
We specialize in hospitality, residential, educational, institutional, civic, and urban design projects, with a focus on adaptive reuse and sustainability.
Is KOO committed to sustainable design?
Yes. We integrate sustainable practices into all projects and are members of the US Green Building Council, prioritizing LEED certification and net-zero design.
Where is KOO located?
KOO is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and serves projects locally and nationally.
