We listen carefully to each client, discovering the nuances that enliven great design. This allows us to inspire our clients with possibilities informed by deep experience. Through transformative thinking, spaces and organizations take on new dimension and focus: This focus is aimed at optimizing performance and experience through informed design. Our designs provide environments that achieve superior results.

We have completed more than 5,000 projects resulting in successful learning environments for education, working, civic and cultural, performing arts, sports and recreation, healthcare, and residential environments. Our future is about providing solutions across all markets based on our integrated expertise and design thinking. We have created an innovative service model that provides clients with a network of over 100 professionals. To accomplish this, Cordogan Clark makes available a strong network of professionals across all service categories including architecture, mechanical-electrical-plumbing engineering, structural engineering, architectural based construction management advisor services, master planning, security, interiors, graphic design, campaign assistance, and a host of other important expertise.

Keystone Architecture was founded in 1988 in Lafayette, Indiana. Rob Galbraith joined Keystone in 1989, expanding its focus to include public and institutional facilities, educational, and commercial as well as residential projects. Keystone also undertook major historic preservation and restoration projects. By 2001, Rob was Keystone’s sole owner and President.

In 2015, Keystone Architecture partnered with Cordogan Clark to win a large K-12 school project with Lafayette School Corporation. This project included 3 building renovations, a natatorium, the award-winning Greater Lafayette Career Academy. The two firms established a formal relationship and now, Keystone Architecture is part of the Cordogan Clark Group. This partnership brings each firm a wider geographic footprint, expanded expertise, and diversified portfolio. Keystone Architecture has created three decades of design, engineering, and architectural work. Cordogan Clark Group provides a solid future and wider talent pool than ever before.

Partner firm Cordogan Clark was founded In 1951 as Louis C. Cordogan Architect. Lou Cordogan had apprenticed with pioneer Chicago modernists. At the leading edge of architectural and technological innovation, these firms were concerned with aesthetically refined high-performance design and construction. Lou's practice built on this solid foundation synthesized durable design and construction and matured to include diverse financial, religious, residential and hotel projects.

John Cordogan, Managing Partner, joined the firm in 1973. In 1984 John Clark joined the firm as a founding partner of Cordogan Clark & Associates. The firm has since grown significantly and is now a privately owned corporation of 80 professionals including more than architects / engineers / planners. Crain's Chicago Business has ranked Cordogan Clark among the 20 largest architectural firms in Chicago. Architects and engineers within the firm are affiliated with numerous professional associations including the American Institute of Architects and are licensed by NCARB to practice through the United States.

Partner firm Wm. B. Ittner Architects revolutionized school planning across the nation starting in 1899. Through the decades, Ittner has pioneered innovations in planning and building design that led to the creation of today’s schools with design features that continue to be widely imitated. Early Ittner innovations included the inclusion of natural light, integrated ventilation, standardized plans and the Community School concept. That pioneering spirit continues as we seek continuous improvement and innovations to optimize performance and experience in our designs.

Integrated Ventilation that improved the health of learning environments. Chases were designed behind lockers in both corridors and locker rooms, pulling air through the school and out through chimneys. Today, building codes have progressed to ensure the proper amount of fresh air is introduced into schools.

Natural Light was maximized using large windows, skylights, and lightwells that were combined with monumental stairs introducing light into the center of the building. Today, the use of natural light has progressed into designing spaces using daylight harvesting.

Standardized Plans were developed that efficiently connected all the specialized spaces of the school into the desired culture for learning. These included the H-Plan, I-Plan, and the L-Plan.

The Community School Concept was developed using site planning concepts that made resources available to residents of the surrounding area. The school’s plan was zoned to allow for specialized areas to be available for after-hours use.

Today Cordogan Clark, Keystone Architecture, and Ittner Architects continue to build on our deep legacy of innovation and durable design. The firm serves clients from offices in Chicago, Aurora, and Fairview Heights, Illinois; Lafayette Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and Madrid, Spain. Our staff has grown to more than 100 professionals, with expertise in architecture, planning, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, and interior design. Our legacy of advanced building arts and timeless design reminds us it is not only important how architecture performs right after it is built, but how well it lasts for decades, and longer. We create great environments.