Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, Odlle, McGuire, Shook Architects, Inc. was founded in 1982. The firm first became recognized for its architectural historic preservation/renovation work. Although historic preservation continues to be a focus at OMS, the firm disciplines include architectural design, interior design, and urban planning/landscape architecture. OMS has grown to a staff of over 60 employees. As Ratio’s size has expanded, so has ourgeographic reach. In most recent years, work has included projects throughout the country in various niche markets. The OMS niche market expertise includes broadcast and technology facilities, historic rehabilitation and university athletic practice facilities.

Culture
Our firm is a young organization that is not afraid of change or challenge. Design and planning are created in a collaborative environment, with the principals leading the effort. Design principals hold key project management roles in all OMS projects and maintain involvement throughout all phases of the project. The project’s success rests with the capability of the individuals on the project. We allow young professionals the opportunity to become involved actively in the design of a project early in their career, but temper their enthusiasm with the experience of the principals. We are not afraid of tackling a new project type, as we thrive on a challenge. Our midwest work ethic drives the firm, enabling us to meet our clients' schedules and the project requirements.

Mission
We are committed to providing distinctive design solutions for our clients, through effectively listening to our clients’ needs and providing multiple options. We are committed to creating value for our clients by designing options that meet their needs, reputation and requirements. We are committed to serving our clients by being responsive to their needs, questions and ideas and providing quality project solutions based on our knowledge, experience and creativity. We are committed to the personal and professional development of our employees and want them to seek to continually improve their knowledge and skills, not merely to better serve the firm and our clients, but to enhance their own self-worth and prosperity.

Values
We value teamwork and consider the client to be an integral part of the team. We value our people from our support staff to the most-gifted designers, for without them, our clients' projects would not be successful. We value functional design solutions that create value for our clients. We value creating projects that make real contributions to society and to quality human habitat. We seek to work with clients who have similar values.

Professional and Civic Responsibility
The Firm encourages active involvement in professional and community organizations. Many employees have held leadership roles in various organizations. Our employees and principals have affiliations with over 50 local and national professional and community organizations.

Volunteerism
OMS encourages employees to be involved in the community through volunteerism, whether group projects or individual volunteer activities. Volunteer activities include the RCA Tennis Championships, 500 Festival; Junior Achievement Bowlathon, Celebrity Youthlinks Golf Tournament; Women’s NCAA Championships; Habitat for Humanity; ASLA 100 Parks; and Indianapolis Museum of Art/various events.

Corporate Giving
OMS has a long history of contributing to a variety of worthy causes. Our contributions and recipient organizations are reviewed annually.

Design Philosophy
OMS Architects. The word ratio (the root word of rational) is based on Latin text meaning to reason. Our design philosophy – we believe design should be purposeful and thoughtful. If it doesn’t have a good reason for being – then it shouldn’t be. Our clients appreciate aesthetically pleasing, yet practical design solutions. We work with clients to create unique solutions. We listen carefully, determining our clients needs and translating them into economically responsive solutions. The OMS approach to design and planning – whether it be in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, urban planning, or preservation – begins with purpose and ends with creative space that reflects a client’s imagination, reputation, and spirit. Combining purpose with creative thinking is what Ratio is all about.

Design Process
Our clients are the most important part of our design process. First, we need to identify the goals for the new environment. Is it increased productivity? Employee retention? Inviting atmosphere? Security? Heightened status? Historical value? Intuitive use for the general public? Community investment? These factors form the basis of our creative approach. Each project may require an entire team of architects, interior designers, preservationists, landscape architects, and urban planners. Or perhaps the project will only focus on one or two areas. With experienced professionals in each discipline, we’re structured to work independently, or as an entire team. Our clients, as well as our projects, are very diverse. We design buildings and environments for universities, hotels, and corporate headquarters, as well as civic and governmental entities. Each project has its own distinct goals, parameters, and characteristics that help us determine unique results.

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Member
Indiana Chapter
AIA