We are an architecture practice.

A bottega, an atelier, a workshop.

We work at all scales on various project types, from urban design to furniture fabrication, through commercial and residential construction.

We love to make things, spaces, buildings and places.

We want them to be generous. To offer more, to do many things at once, to exceed expectations.

For our clients, for users, for neighbors, for passers-by, for the city, for the environment.

We take sustainability seriously.

We strive to minimize operational and embodied carbon, waste, and resource consumption.

We privilege what is already there, reveal its potential, and transform it thoughtfully.

We articulate reused, raw, low-carbon, healthy materials. We design for durability, adaptability, reuse, ease of repair, and recyclability.

We understand the challenges. We strive for excellence nevertheless.

Joel Onorato, Principal

Licensed to practice architecture in the US (DC, Maryland, Virginia) and in France.

Founded JOW in 2024.

Worked as a project architect at: StudioMB (DC), Hickok Cole (DC), Atelier Seraji Architectes et Associes (Paris, France).

Teaches at the Catholic University of America School of Architecture.
Taught at: Paris-Belleville School of Architecture, Paris-Malaquais School of Architecture, École des Ponts et Chaussées, Marne-la-Vallée School of Architecture.
Invited juror at: Catholic University of America, Columbia University GSAPP, Paris-Malaquais School of Architecture.

Shared knowledge about the circular economy and low carbon materials with: the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, a class of the Virginia Tech MBA, the Leaders in Energy network, and the AIA DesignDC 2019 Conference.

Published articles about the circular economy on Design Intelligence, and about natural analogies in digital architecture on Criticat.

Trained as an Architect and a Structural Engineer:
Master of Architecture, summa cum laude, Paris-Belleville School of Architecture (ENSAPB), France, 2014
Master of Engineering, Perronet best student prize, Civil and Structural Engineering Major, École des Ponts et Chaussées, France, 2012