Vocon Opens Chicago Office, Names Sophie Bidek as Studio Director
October 22, 2025
CHICAGO — National architectural and design firm Vocon has announced the opening of its new Chicago office at 730 N. Franklin St. in the landmark Central Arts Building. The office, Vocon’s third alongside established locations in Cleveland and New York City, accommodates the firm’s formal expansion into one of the nation’s most dynamic real estate markets.
Vocon has been building long-standing relationships in Chicago with developers, brokers, owner’s reps, engineers, and major contractors for over 30 years. The firm has completed over 100 projects in the region for local and national clients since the early 2000s, including the recent expansion for law firm Benesch at 71 Wacker Drive, as well as projects for Good Karma Brands, Vista Equity Partners, and Huntington National Bank.
Leading the new office as Studio Director will be Sophie Bidek, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, an accomplished Chicago-based architect with more than 20 years of experience in a broad range of complex projects, including mixed-use, multifamily, hospitality, ground-up, and commercial interiors.
Bidek will grow Vocon’s existing Chicago-based team of six design professionals, which includes market design leaders who have been based in the city for many years, as the firm positions the office as a strategic hub. She will also collaborate with Vocon design teams nationally to advance solutions that respond to evolving real estate and housing trends.
“Expanding our presence in Chicago and formally establishing an office enables us to better serve our clients in this region while continuing our national expansion,” said Paul Voinovich, CEO of Vocon. “Sophie’s extensive experience, design excellence and Chicago roots will allow us to deliver transformative projects and further strengthen our relationships with developers, owners, and institutions in the region.”
“Vocon is a powerful platform that offers unmatched vision, creativity and collaboration to its clients,” Bidek said. “The new office enables us to embrace the enormous opportunity in this market, from workplace and mixed-use to multifamily and municipal work, and we look forward to attracting Chicago’s extraordinary design talent, which is second to none.”
Prior to joining Vocon, Bidek served as managing partner at Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, where she spearheaded high-profile developments such as One Chicago and North Union.
Bidek is recognized for her strategic leadership and creative design vision, as well as her advocacy on adaptive reuse and gender equity in design.
An Immediate Past President of CREW Chicago and a frequent Urban Land Institute contributor, Bidek has been honored as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Chicago and recognized by AIA Chicago and The Chicago Athenaeum for design excellence.
With the opening of the Chicago office, Vocon continues to position itself as a trusted national partner for clients seeking innovative, human-centered spaces that drive value and impact.
About Vocon:
Established in 1987, Vocon is a leading national architecture and design firm focusing on corporate headquarters, mixed-use developments, multifamily residential, retail and corporate interiors, and workplace strategy. With offices in Cleveland, New York City, and Chicago, Vocon is known for creating environments that foster energy, creativity, and collaboration—helping organizations grow and positioning them as leaders in their industries. Clients include PwC, KeyBank, Goodyear, and Willis Towers Watson. For more information, visit www.vocon.com.
