NeoCon 2026 felt less like a product showcase and more like a field-wide reckoning with what commercial space is for and for whom. The design vocabulary is shifting to consider how we experience interior spaces emotionally and functionally. Aesthetics are doing more with vibes that encompass a modern biophilic style, color-drenched harmonies, impressionistic color palettes, serpentine modular forms and structured curves with a touch of high craft. In an era of AI, the human b

Nominated for Architect of the Year by REjournals Commercial Real Estate Award is our own Adam Wilmot. Adam makes the improbable buildable. He’s spent decades proving complex zoning code and radical creative vision aren’t opposing forces—they’re just waiting for the right introduction. His projects weave vision and creativity into Chicago’s regulatory landscape. Always ambitious, technically rigorous, proving that compliance and imagination make better partners than you’d thi

Columbia Yacht Club gets a glow up in phase II! Picking up where we left off in the dining room, the private club features new furniture and finishes in its central seating and private nook. With a nod to tradition and the natural color palette of Monroe harbor, the interior design draws upon sky-blue plaid, lake inspired patterns in cut velvet, rich chestnut wood millwork, vintage brass fixtures, and leather seating. The result is sophisticated, durable and welcoming- A suit

ZPD+A Architects, in collaboration with Mekus Tanager Inc., documented significant developments during the February site visit at Our Lady of Hope at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan. Construction continues to develop during the cold, short days of winter to reveal substantial progress as the chapel and mausoleum begin to emerge as we move into spring. Mekus Tanager brings extensive experience in mausoleum design, while ZPD+A is leading the design of the ch

"Women’s history is an essential and indispensable part of the national narrative. By understanding the achievements, struggles, and contributions of women throughout history, we gain a fuller, more accurate, and more inclusive understanding of our collective past." -Hillary Clinton Former First Lady of the United States, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State Women’s History Month is both a celebration and a moment of reflection—an opportunity to honor the trailblazers whose c

It's March in Chicago, imagine building your most valued hospitality and commercial design industry connections while sailing through Caribbean blue waters. That is All Points Design , a premier one-to-one vendor to designer matchmaking experience exclusively for the hospitality design industry on a boat. All Points Design brings together top buyers and suppliers for face-to-face meetings designed to spark lasting partnerships. No crowded convention floors. No missed connecti

Happy Birthday, Chicago! 189 years ago today, a city was platted on the edge of a lake — and it has never stopped building itself into something greater. From the ashes of 1871 a new skyline rose, creating an architectural language copied around the world. From the drawing boards of historical firms like Adler and Sullivan, and Frank Lloyd Wright came new forms of living in space, while today’s firms and schools continue to shape architectural futures globally. Our rich neigh

Today's social challenges and culture shifts have led to growing isolation, disengagement from community, and a mounting mental health crisis. HeadMaze was built for exactly this moment. The HeadMaze project includes two distinct but intertwined spaces - the “ monument ” and the “ pavilion .” Both spaces – along with the creative team behind them – activate a platform for city-wide engagement and social impact through immersive experiences, civic activations, and collaborati

Looking back on 2025, the zpd+a team tackled a truly diverse range of projects that challenged and stimulated our creative thinking. From navigating Chicago's permitting processes for historic residences converting to office space and back again, to designing experiential monuments that pushed the boundaries of modular off-site production, to breaking ground on a 20+ acre site in Michigan, to curating a valued client's art collection—the constant scale shifts kept us agile an

For decades, architects have intuitively understood that natural elements improve our built environments, celebrating natural materials, natural light and fresh air. Today, neuroscience is revealing exactly why, and the findings are transforming how we approach commercial design. Biophilic design, the practice of integrating nature and natural elements into the built environment to improve human health and well-being, isn't just aesthetically pleasing. Research shows it funda