Anders Rustin

director of strategy

Anders is a passionate and talented architect with a knack for thinking big and clearly communicating his ideas. His dedication to architecture and his natural leadership have been evident at OKW. Having started as a staff architect, he has grown into a position with considerable influence on our projects and culture. He is not only a project manager on a slate of complex projects, but he is also our Director of Strategy and leads our Sustainability Action Group.

When he’s not raising the bar on our projects, he’s doing his best to spread the gospel of architecture to the next generation. Between his professorship at Harold Washington College and his work volunteering for the ACE Mentor program, he works tirelessly to ensure that the field of architecture reaches a wider, more diverse group of students.

Outside of architecture, Anders finds new challenges and puzzles to sharpen both sides of his brain. His technical side is apparent on his desk, which is an art installation for different puzzle cubes, each more challenging than the last. For his creative pursuits, he is always happy to discuss the cultural merits of his favorite movies, sometimes as part of a formal presentation.

Favorite movie: Amélie

If you could have one superpower: Telekinesis. Jean Grey was my idol as a child

Most inspirational space in Chicago: The Lake is awe-inspiring every time I see it.