david bender

project manager

Originally from Ohio, and a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Architecture, Dave moved to Chicago to further pursue his career in architecture in 2001. He has participated in a variety of ground-up and renovation projects throughout the greater Chicago area specializing in retail, office and residential developments. His strong technical and design background has allowed him to successfully manage projects through all phases from early schematics and site feasibility studies, through final construction stages. In his short time with OKW, Dave has contributed to retail projects at Chatham Market, the Lake Business Center in Munster IN, as well as several Planet Fitness build-outs in and around Chicago.

In his free time, Dave enjoys going to neighborhood parks and restaurants with his wife and 2 kids, is a sports enthusiast (particularly if the Buckeye State is involved) and has been playing various forms of percussion for nearly 20 years. 

If I were not an architect, I would be: An engineer, or a contractor, or a broke musician

Favorite piece of architecture: The MoMA in NYC

Growing up, I always wanted to be: Darth Vader

My favorite thing about Chicago is: The many intimate music venues