Chicago Design Firm Dunne Kozlowski Prioritizes Functionality Over Aesthetics

The full-service firm takes a holistic approach to design, focusing on how people actually live rather than creating showpiece homes.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dunne Kozlowski, a Chicago-based design, architecture, and interior design firm, takes a unique approach to residential and commercial projects. Rather than designing around traditional categories or how a space is supposed to function, the firm designs around how people actually live. This means creating entertainment spaces that support entertaining, kitchens that flow well for cooking and eating, and layouts that reflect a client's lifestyle and daily needs. The firm's founders noticed that when architectural plans were handed off to outside contractors, problems often arose, leading to delays, cost increases, and revisions. To combat this, Dunne Kozlowski offers a full-service model that integrates architecture, interiors, and project management.

Why it matters

Dunne Kozlowski's approach challenges the trend of designing homes as showpieces rather than functional living spaces. By prioritizing how people actually use a space, the firm aims to create environments that are both beautiful and practical, reflecting the individuality of each client rather than forcing them into a one-size-fits-all model. This holistic, user-centric design philosophy sets Dunne Kozlowski apart in an industry that can sometimes prioritize aesthetics over real-world functionality.

The details

Dunne Kozlowski was founded in 2003 as a traditional architectural firm handling residential and workplace design. Over time, the founders, Corey Dunne and Paul Kozlowski, noticed that once architectural plans were handed off to outside contractors, problems would often arise, leading to delays, cost increases, and revisions. To combat this, the firm evolved to offer a full-service model that integrates architecture, interiors, and project management. This allows them to maintain control over the entire design and construction process, ensuring the final product aligns with the initial vision.

  • Dunne Kozlowski was founded in 2003.
  • Over time, the firm expanded its services to include a full-service model integrating architecture, interiors, and project management.

The players

Dunne Kozlowski

A Chicago-based full-service design, architecture, and interior design firm that takes a holistic, user-centric approach to creating functional and beautiful living and working spaces.

Corey Dunne

Principal architect and co-founder of Dunne Kozlowski, who emphasizes the firm's focus on delivering bold and uncompromised design while respecting the client's plan, timeline, and the reality of how a space needs to function.

Paul Kozlowski

Co-founder of Dunne Kozlowski, who, along with Corey Dunne, noticed the problems that can arise when architectural plans are handed off to outside contractors, leading them to evolve the firm's services to a full-service model.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Some firms can deliver stunning visuals, but they do not care about your budget, schedule, operations, or experience of getting the project done. We care about all of it. We deliver bold and uncompromised design, but we deliver it in a way that respects the client's plan, their timeline, and the reality of how a space needs to function long after the photos are taken.”

— Corey Dunne, Principal architect and co-founder of Dunne Kozlowski (Architectural Digest)

The takeaway

Dunne Kozlowski's approach to design challenges the industry trend of creating homes and spaces as showpieces rather than functional living environments. By prioritizing how people actually use a space and integrating architecture, interiors, and project management, the firm aims to deliver bold and uncompromised design that respects the client's needs, budget, and timeline, resulting in spaces that are both beautiful and practical.