Culture

At Northworks, we believe that working as a team is the best way forward. To us, this means the opinions and ideas of all collaborators matter; it is the catalyst that allows the flow of creativity and expertise to meet the aesthetic, functional, sustainable and budgetary goals of our clients.

Northworks is a full-service architecture and planning firm, with offices in Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Jackson, WY.  Our team offers new building design, historic preservation, site planning, construction management, building conditions analysis and interior design services, including custom furnishings.  Northworks is LEED accredited and licensed to practice architecture in California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

We established Northworks in 2005 inspired by a shared passion for the built world. In the years since, we have successfully combined our visions, resulting in a range of projects that are refined, yet approachable; classic, yet forward-thinking and always reflective of our clients’ lifestyles and design goals.  We are not alone in these accomplishments.  The depth of experience and talent within our team allows us to learn and grow while cultivating a style of practice united by common values: a belief in partnership, excellence in design and an appreciation for individuality.  These are the notions upon which we founded Northworks.

An enthusiasm for architecture and construction led Partners Bill Bickford and Austin DePree to found Northworks.  After a fateful introduction as undergraduates at Trinity College – Hartford, they laid the groundwork for a unique, unpretentious firm rooted in collaboration and innovation.

The team at Northworks, juxtapose professionalism with play.  As architects, planners, and preservationists, we believe in sound methods of practice and production.  We also value our private time as motorcycle enthusiasts, marathoners, writers, photographers, and parents.  In our studio environment, we inspire, create, learn, and accomplish, but we also know a thing or two about happy hours and enjoy a game of competitive softball.

Together, we are Northworks.