“I knew I wanted to focus on a regional practice because I want to be committed to the community where I live and work. KMB architects is truly invested in every place we work, and that’s really important when you consider the sensitive subject of justice architecture. We’re not outside experts coming in and telling our clients how to operate their facility. We are members of the community and we’re invested and committed to making these projects work because it benefits all of us.”

Meet the Team | Greg

Raised by architecture enthusiasts and growing up in historic Arts and Crafts home near the banks of the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois, Partner Greg Cook was captivated by the world of architecture at a young age. Childhood vacations centered around visiting Chicago and exploring the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Helmut Jahn, and Mies van der Rohe. This introduction to design, coupled with a love of science and technology, inspired Greg to study engineering as an undergraduate and earn a master’s in architecture.

“Our interaction with architecture is a deeply emotional experience. It can be awe-inspiring, but it should always be uplifting. Architecture connects you to the past and centers you in the present..”

Greg’s early practice in Boston and St. Louis focused on residential work which continues to inform his approach to architecture to this day—a reminder to center his work on our individual experiences. A pivotal moment in Greg’s career occurred when he was given the opportunity to lead the design of a correctional project, the new Iowa State Prison. It proved to be a life-changing experience, synergizing Greg’s experience with designing for the individual with his passion for investing in the betterment of our communities.

“What I came to realize through the Iowa Prison design, that began programming in 2007, was that the project type was evolving with a restorative focus and a desire to help people return to the community, yet the architecture had been slow to change. I saw a role for the architect to facilitate proactively, providing insights that might lead to new and innovative ways of thinking about the challenges presented to us. I consider myself to have been so fortunate to have been given this project assignment because it gave me the opportunity, as someone new to this project type, to both, learn from passionate stakeholders and provide my insights.

Greg’s passion for justice facilities planning and design, and his interest in seeking new solutions related to diversion, treatment, and re-entry has endured. Seeing a need to better understand the provision of health care in a secure environment Greg became the first architect in the nation to become a Certified Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP) in 2010. Greg has provided his support and expertise to NCCHC through collaboration on their Guidelines for Suicide Prevention, speaking engagements, peer reviews, and facilities assessments.

Recognizing the need to continue improving justice facilities design by connecting with other leaders in the field, Greg has served on several of the AIA’s Academy of Architecture for Justice (AAJ) subcommittees. He joined the Leadership Group in 2017, which provided him the opportunity to plan their annual conference, champion updates to the AIA’s Code of Ethics regarding the design of justice facilities, and lead the Justice Facilities Review Awards program jury, which under Greg’s leadership sought to be more inclusive to small firms and local projects.

Becoming a partner at KMB architects has provided Greg with the opportunity to relocate to the Pacific Northwest with his family. Greg's role as a partner is focused on evolving the design process and infusing a culture of innovation into the established culture of affirmation at the firm. He’s excited to make meaningful connections with trusted clients throughout the region.

“My core beliefs about how architects must actively support our communities perfectly aligns with the culture of KMB architects. We understand we’re partners—our firm and the community. We don’t just practice architecture in the community, we’re part of it.”

Outside of the office, Greg spends time with his wife and two teenage children listening to a lot of music, cooking and dining out, traveling, and most of all sharing a lot of laughs.