Kwong Von Glinow is an award-winning architecture practice based in Chicago founded on the belief that architecture is meant to be enjoyed. The practice builds the thoroughly enjoyable from the slightly familiar. Their work translates forward-looking architectural concepts into playful designs with broad appeal. Taking an optimistic and explorative approach, KVG focuses on creating innovative living environments, places for cultural engagement, urban public space, and contemporary workspaces. The office was founded in 2017 by Lap Chi Kwong and Alison Von Glinow and has delivered projects ranging from single-family homes to multi-family residential buildings, public and cultural spaces, exhibitions, and designed objects.

The firm’s current projects include the renovation of a 12,000-square-foot Howard Van Doren Shaw home in Highland Park, IL for an art collector family; the inaugural Designing a Better Chicago Riverwalk pavilion to be built in summer 2021; and a community center and housing project in New York. They recently completed both Ardmore House—a single family home in Chicago—and the new Swiss Consulate Chicago at the Hancock Tower.

Select Practice Awards
2022 Top 50 Interior Architecture Firms 2022 by AN Interior
2022 Design 50, Selected by Newcity Design
2021 Top 50 Architects 2021 by AN Interior
2020 Named "Next Progressive" by Architect Magazine
2019 Named Artists-in-Residence at IIT
2019 Received Graham Foundation Grant to Individuals
2018 Received Architectural League Prize for Young Architects
2017 Wallpaper* Magazine’s list of top Emerging Practices

Select Project Awards
2021 Best of Design Residential Single Unit by Architect’s Newspaper, Ardmore House
2021 AIA Illinois for Excellence in Interiors, Ardmore House
2021 AIA Chicago, Distinguished Building, Citation of Merit, Ardmore House
2021 AIA Chicago, Interior Architecture, Citation of Merit, Swiss Consulate
2021 AIA Chicago Small Project Honor Award, Ardmore House
2019 1st Prize Designing a Better Chicago, Give me a minute, please!
2017 1st Prize Hong Kong Housing, Towers within a Tower
2017 1st Prize New York Housing, Table Top Apartments
2017 1st Prize, 2016 Chicago Prize, Grand Lattices

KVG will share the development of Ardmore House with LIGA as part of their series La Casa Del Vecino / Our Neighbor’s House.

KVG is named “Next Progressive” by Architect Magazine.

KVG coordinated 6 2020 graduates who presented manifesto “Defiant Optimism” for the Architectural League of New York’s Reimagine dialogue.

KVG with chat with John McMorrough about Ardmore House for the series Practice.Architecture.Talks.

KVG is selected as one of 32 Pre-Qualified Design Services Firms for Chicago’s Invest South/West Initiative.

KVG is interviewed by Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s in his article on Ardmore House titled “In Edgewater, a house unlike any other.”

Dennis Rodkin of Crain’s discusses Ardmore House on Crain’s Daily Gist and deems Kwong Von Glinow “a firm to watch.”