Business Details
33 Years
experience
Trusted Architects for Higher Education & Community Spaces
Workshop Architects is nationally recognized for its expertise in architecture, strategic planning, interior design, and research focused on community-building spaces for higher education and mission-driven organizations. With over 29 years of experience, our firm combines a deep understanding of social environments with a collaborative, research-driven approach to create spaces that foster belonging and enhance user experiences. Our team prioritizes listening to clients, integrating diverse perspectives, and delivering innovative solutions tailored to each community's unique needs.We specialize in designing student life facilities, urban housing, hospitality spaces, and workplaces, emphasizing functionality, inclusivity, and long-term impact. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our numerous awards and partnerships with leading educational institutions nationwide.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Strategic Planning
Programming
Communication Design
Retail Design
Furniture Selection
Environmental Graphics
Wayfinding Design
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We have 29 years of experience in higher education architecture.
- Our research-based approach prioritizes community needs and social context.
- We maintain a collaborative, client-focused process with active listening.
- Our designs emphasize sustainability, functionality, and long-term impact.
- We are recognized leaders in student life facility innovation.
What people say
Attentive Responsive Ideal Partners
Transformative potential of student life buildings
Dynamic team with cutting-edge strategies
Joy reflecting student life spirit
Uncovered immediate change opportunities
Services
Architecture
Our architectural services focus on creating functional, inspiring spaces for educational institutions. We combine innovative design with practical solutions to meet each client's unique needs. Our team specializes in student life facilities that promote community engagement and long-term adaptability.
Interior Design
We craft interior environments that enhance user experience through thoughtful space planning and material selection. Our designs balance aesthetics with functionality to create welcoming, productive spaces for students and staff across various educational settings.
Strategic Planning
Our strategic planning services help institutions develop comprehensive visions for their physical spaces. We create roadmaps that align with organizational goals while addressing current and future needs through research-driven, community-informed approaches.
Programming
We conduct thorough programming analyses to determine optimal space utilization and functionality. This process involves stakeholder engagement to identify requirements and opportunities for maximizing facility effectiveness in educational environments.
Communication Design
Our communication design services integrate branding elements with physical spaces. We develop cohesive visual identities and wayfinding systems that reinforce institutional values while enhancing user navigation and experience within educational facilities.
People
Jan Van Den Kieboom
Architect and Founder
With decades of experience in educational architecture, Jan leads the firm's vision for creating spaces that foster community and belonging through innovative design solutions.
Lindsay Lisowski
Interior Designer
Specializing in interior design for educational spaces, Lindsay brings expertise in creating functional, inspiring environments that enhance student engagement and institutional identity.
Jonathan Schedler
Architect
Jonathan contributes architectural expertise with a focus on integrating sustainable practices and modern design principles in student life facilities.
Melissa Clark
Architect
Melissa applies her architectural skills to develop innovative solutions that balance aesthetic appeal with practical functionality in educational environments.
Erica Proefrock
Interior Designer
Erica specializes in interior design solutions that create welcoming, functional spaces tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions and their communities.
Questions
What types of projects does Workshop Architects specialize in?
We specialize in higher education facilities including student unions, housing, recreation centers, academic buildings, and campus master plans.
How long has Workshop Architects been in business?
We have 29 years of experience designing spaces for educational and mission-driven organizations since our founding in 1993.
What makes Workshop Architects different from other firms?
Our unique approach combines social research, community engagement, and design expertise focused specifically on creating spaces that foster belonging.
Do you work with institutions outside the Midwest?
Yes, we partner with universities nationwide from Wisconsin to California, adapting our approach to each region's unique needs.
How do you involve stakeholders in the design process?
We use an immersive discovery process that includes students, staff, and community members to ensure designs reflect user needs and aspirations.
