Ascent Design Studio is an architecture practice founded by Tim Shouder as an avenue to help shape the places we inhabit in ways that foster creativity and thoughtful reflection. 

Tim approaches design as writing a story that interweaves the characteristics of the context, site, and program as a holistic response, unique to each design.  One of Tim’s core strengths is his ability to meld creative design with technical excellence, an attribute that sets him apart from other architects.  You can see this exemplified in his work as the ethos of the story is reflected through each scale of the design.

Prior to founding Ascent Design Studio, Tim worked at Studio Gang, Chicago. He contributed to many projects, including recently completed Tom Lee Park, and UCSC Kresge College Academic Center, and currently under construction, Harvard’s David Rubenstein Treehouse, and Spelman College Center for Innovation & the Arts; in addition to other commercial, and institutional projects.

Tim and his wife Amy, both licensed architects, live in Oak Park thoughtfully restoring their historic Gunderson 1908 Four-Square home.