Olson Kundig

Success for us is measured by long-lasting relationships with our clients, especially when there is a shared sense of adventure and a desire to do something unexpected. We are motivated by a core belief: putting our clients and their needs at the center of the process leads to the best design we can collectively achieve.

We design buildings that are directly informed by their surroundings, from wide-open landscapes to dense urban areas. Our approach creates spaces that authentically resonate with their locales, enriching the lives of their inhabitants and fostering interaction with the built and natural environment. Every aspect of the design—from the form to materiality to building systems—is carefully tailored to respond to the distinct characteristics of each place and each client’s needs.

For over two decades, we have been at the forefront of designing architecture that responds and changes as a result of human engagement—and most importantly, architecture that can adapt to human needs. We call this kinetic design, or sometimes more playfully, gizmos.

Our approach to kinetic design is rooted in function, providing elegant solutions on a technical scale. In these elements, human touch and simple machines transform the built environment. Inseparable from the architecture, our gizmos create both tangible and emotional experiences; they celebrate the dynamic interaction between buildings and the people who inhabit them.

We’ve experimented with kinetics on nearly every aspect of a building—walls, floors, ceilings, natural ventilation, shade, and furnishings, to name a few.

Stemming from our Pacific Northwest roots, we have a deep appreciation and love of craft. This commitment underscores our belief that design is a collaborative endeavor. We understand the art and beauty of construction—building is an effort that relies not just on the architect, but likewise on engineers, contractors, tradespeople, fabricators, textile designers, and artists who create custom elements inspired by big ideas, carried down to the finest details. By engaging local artists and craftspeople in our projects worldwide, we reinforce the authentic story of a place.

In many of our projects, our design goal is to leave enough leeway for happenstance to come along later in the hands of the builders and makers. Someone can touch the project and take it to a place we would not have taken it to on our own—perhaps the steelworker’s grind marks and measurements are visible on a metal rail, or the rough edges of sawn wood are left exposed. We believe these human touches and moments serve as acknowledgment and celebration of true collaboration.