Fifteen years of HUSARCH
Fifteen years ago, we set out as an architecture firm with a vision to do things differently. We didn’t always have the perfect words for it, but we knew this: we wanted to change the world through architecture - building with purpose, with people in mind, and with systems that worked smarter and more equitably.
Today, we’re proud to share that not only have we made it fifteen years in business, but we’ve reached a moment of clarity that’s been years in the making. We’ve refined who we are, what we offer, and how we communicate it. This milestone marks the official launch of our new brand identity: HUSARCH.
We’ve shortened the name, dropping the “architecture” and embracing “arch” as both an homage to our architectural roots, and a symbol of our role as a bridge between architecture, sustainability, and accessibility. We’re not stepping away from our foundation - we’re building on it.
Practically speaking, we have a new domain name (husarch.com), new email addresses (@husarch.com - but you can still use our old emails during the transition), a fresh look, and more clearly defined services! Meanwhile our location at the crossroads of Pilsen/Chinatown/Bridgeport remains the same, as does our mission.
What Fifteen Years Means to Us
Fifteen years is a long time. It’s hundreds of projects, thousands of site visits, and countless hours spent problem-solving alongside partners, clients, and community members.
Fifteen years of evolution.
Over the years, we’ve honed our ability to simplify complexity, streamlining everything from sustainability compliance to building envelope workflows, to accessibility assessments. We’ve become expert collaborators, known for plugging into complex project teams and helping solve for inefficiencies–whether that’s through sustainable strategy, data management, or construction admin support.
We’ve found our real strength in helping reveal potential–not only in buildings, but in the people behind them. In the clients we support and the communities we serve.
In the past fifteen years, we’ve:
Helped Chicago families save over $11 million in energy costs through our consulting services
Brought accessibility upgrades to over 72.8 million square feet of public school space
Improved living conditions for more than 2,000 low-income families with disabilities
Supported over half a million square feet of LEED-certified projects, embedding sustainability into homes, schools, and workplaces across the region.
Beyond the metrics, we’re proudest of the people impacted: Students who can navigate their schools with ease, families with lower energy bills and improved living conditions, and communities gaining access to sustainable spaces.
Where We’re Growing
With our rebrand comes a renewed focus on our core services that define our practice: Sustainability, Assessment, and Architecture Consulting.
Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of the carbon emissions in the US, and we believe that decarbonization must be implemented now, not years from now. Because architectural projects often span 5 years or more, HUSARCH shifted focus on scalable, actionable solutions that can reduce carbon emissions across entire building portfolios today, supporting long-term goals like the AIA’s 2030 Commitment to Net Zero.
To do this, we are leaning into performance-driven strategies and aligning with building teams who share our vision for more efficient, sustainable outcomes. Our services span Energy Efficiency, Envelope Commissioning, Sustainability, Assessment, Accessibility, Construction Admin, Program Implementation, & Architecture Consulting – because we know meaningful change requires a comprehensive approach.
From LEED support, energy modeling, or envelope commissioning, we directly enhance the performance of buildings. As inhouse accessibility consultants and Program Implementation partners, we’re helping clients leverage rebate programs, manage data effectively, and apply sustainable standards portfolio-wide, translating high-performance goals into practical, measurable results.
Construction support is also central to what we do. From LEED and SWPPP/ESCP to permitting and compliance, we integrate with architecture and construction teams to ensure sustainability goals translate from design to built reality.
At the heart of our work, we believe sustainability must also be equitable. We aim to utilize our service offerings to improve energy efficiency but also accessibility in spaces like public housing and public schools–supporting upgrades that bring greater wellness, dignity, and opportunity to underserved communities. For us, accessibility is inseparable from sustainability. Creating equitable spaces from the start minimizes rework, promotes inclusion, and strengthens the foundation of healthier, more just communities.
Looking ahead, we’re expanding our workforce development efforts, creating training programs that bring people from disinvested communities into architecture and construction—building skills and agency for those directly impacted by our work. As we grow across Illinois, the Midwest, and with new team members on the East Coast, we’re excited to keep evolving and deepening our services and impact.
Inside the New Look
With multidimensional work, we needed a visual language that could both represent how we weave together our variety of disciplines and adapt to different teams and processes, that continued to express our commitment to sustainability through an organic feel.
The squiggle in our logo represents our process connecting the three verticals of architecture, sustainability, and assessments. We refer to the vertical blocks as “pebbles” - differently shaped, wave tumbled elements – that represent how we fit seemingly incongruent ideas together.
Throughout our marketing materials, the squiggle and the “pebbles” recur, changing shape and context just as we change and adapt to different types of work, project teams, or client needs.
We model our work and its visual depiction on nature’s ability to evolve and adapt, honoring the world we aim to protect through the vital practice of sustainable building.
Thank You
We couldn’t have done this alone. Deep gratitude to the collaborators who helped us translate our ethos into words and visuals.
A special thank you to:
BWB - for designing our vibrant new visual language
Raygency - for working with us to refine our messaging and bring it all together
Span - for helping shape our verbal identity
Zeigler Consulting - for helping create our initial verbal identity and helping us develop internal policies that strengthen our firm’s mission
Tech and Data Consulting - for helping us create systems to scale our business bringing more consistent impact to more communities.
Nearly 40 individuals who have worked at HUSARCH over the years - for sharing your passions with our firm, helping to shape who we are today
Our clients - without whom this work would not be possible.
Thank you for helping us communicate what makes HUSARCH unique: a firm that spans disciplines, connects people, and delivers impact – without ego, but with deep intention.
As we look into the next fifteen years, one thing remains clear: we will never stop evolving. Evolution is not just a part of our story – it’s our strength. Here’s to continuing to learn, grow and build together.
