Arkos Design

08/25/2026

What makes a community a place where people want to be?

Eric Jensen, Principal | CEO | Architect, recently joined the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce Beyond the Region podcast to discuss just that!

Eric shares his perspective on how thoughtful design fuels economic growth, attracts talent, and preserves the unique character of our local communities.

Catch the full episode to hear his insights on "what's next" for the South Bend region!

Today we're joined by Eric Jensen, AIA, Principal, CEO, and Archite...

08/18/2026

21 years later and we’re just getting started!

We’re celebrating our anniversary with one of our favorite traditions: Founders Day. It’s our dedicated time to look back at where we started, look ahead at where we're going, and put our values into action by volunteering together.

This year, our team headed over to Green Bridge Growers to get our hands dirty! We spent the afternoon volunteering, learning all about their approach to sustainable, locally grown produce, and seeing firsthand how they champion inclusive job opportunities for individuals with autism.

Thank you, Green Bridge Growers, for letting us be a part of your day—we couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate!

08/04/2026

Sometimes you forget where a project started until you see the after pictures.

We recently returned to the Jimtown Community Center more than a year after its grand reopening to see how the former high school gymnasium is continuing to serve the neighborhood. Today, the space functions as a community hub, hosting school activities, youth programming, and local events.

Restoring a piece of local history comes with a unique responsibility. Every design and preservation choice was carefully crafted to honor the building’s heritage while integrating modern amenities and accessibility updates.

Swipe through to see where we started versus where we are today!

📸: VandeGang Architecture & Interior Design Photography
Baugo Community Schools

07/30/2026

Stepping away from the drawing boards and computer screens for the day is an annual tradition at Arkos Design! ⚾️

This year, our annual retreat brought the whole team and our families to the South Bend Cubs for a memorable day at the ballpark.

Taking time out of the office to connect beyond project deadlines and meetings is essential for strengthening relationships across our multidisciplinary studio. These traditions give us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate hard work, enjoy good company, and connect as a team.

Here’s to great teamwork, shared laughs, and many more home runs ahead!

07/29/2026

Members of our team recently traded the office for the Annual South Bend Masonry Education Day! The day featured technical sessions covering adhered masonry wall systems, concrete masonry design, and acoustic and fire performance considerations.

Beyond the classroom, the program offered a practical look at real-world jobsite troubleshooting and featured a hands-on brick and block laying session. Engaging directly with the physical craft provides invaluable perspective, bridging the gap between design concepts on paper and ex*****on in the field.

Thank you to the Midwest Masonry Council and AIA Indiana for hosting this event. Continuous education allows for smarter detailing, stronger collaboration with industry partners, and better-built spaces for clients and communities.

07/14/2026

We had a great day celebrating the ribbon cutting for the new Kamm Island pavilion! The structure has officially been dedicated to a pillar of the local community, former Mayor Jeff Rea.

The new Jeffrey L. Rea Pavilion is designed to enhance and support the variety of events hosted on Kamm Island. As a special nod to local history, the design is stylized to reflect the former Tribe-O-Rea Drugstore, which was owned and operated by the Rea family in Mishawaka for 53 years.

Thank you to the City of Mishawaka - Municipal Government for the opportunity to partner on this project—honoring our community’s history while building a beautiful gathering space for everyone to enjoy.

07/09/2026

Sometimes the best design inspiration happens when you step away from the screen.

Today, our team traded computers for sketchbooks during a quick sketching session. The instructions were simple: head out for 30 minutes and draw whatever caught your eye. We headed back to the office for lunch, where each person had one minute to share their sketch.

It was a fast-paced, fun way to learn more about our team’s creative processes while refreshing our own skills. We find these activities truly rewarding— they give us a chance to step back, connect as a team, and dive back into our projects with a fresh perspective!

07/04/2026

Wishing everyone a wonderful 4th of July!

Whether you’re grilling, relaxing, or enjoying the fireworks, we hope your day is filled with good food and great company! 🇺🇸✨

06/25/2026

Our interior design team recently headed to Chicago for NeoCon Shows and Fulton Market Design Days!

This annual trip is our chance to see the latest trends firsthand—from new textile collections to the newest commercial furniture. It keeps our eyes fresh and helps us plan current and future projects more effectively for our clients.

Of course, we also had to keep our favorite annual tradition alive: sitting in as many chairs as humanly possible. It's a tough job, but someone has to test out the ergonomics and comfort!

We're back in the studio and excited to start weaving these new ideas and materials into our upcoming designs.

06/18/2026

Tomorrow, June 19th, marks Juneteenth—a day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and to celebrate Black history, culture, and resilience.

To honor the significance of this day and to ensure the spotlight remains on the voices and stories that matter most, we will be silent on social media tomorrow.

We invite you to join us in using that time to listen, learn, and reflect on the ongoing journey toward freedom and equality for all. To get started, we encourage you to explore the educational resources and historical galleries shared by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture at nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth.