olena chychula

architectural associate

Olena’s early interest in STEM made her a natural fit for architecture. Her path began with an interest in home renovation shows and grew into a vocation at IIT. As a visual person, she appreciates how architecture can evoke memories and create feelings across spaces. Her knack for renderings and building scale models only amplifies this visual approach to design. During an IIT Woodshop class she began her hobby of making furniture and hopes to eventually handcraft all of the furniture in her house.

Although Olena is a Chicago native, studied at IIT, and dons her architectural cap at OKW, she is passionately in tune with her Ukrainian heritage. Whether she’s attending Ukrainian festivals, making pierogies or listening to podcasts about the ongoing war, she is not shy about sharing her family’s cultural roots.

Outside of OKW, Olena is woodworking, creating abstract art, or working on her golf swing.

Most inspirational or interesting space: Brera Botanical Garden in Milan

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life: Cobb Salad - it’s got a little of everything

Favorite childhood TV show: Looney Tunes