About Us
About OWA
Founded in 2006, One World Architecture is an architecture firm dedicated to socially and environmentally responsible design. With passion, keen strategic thinking, and respectful collaboration, we engage a diversity of projects, including institutional, residential, and commercial.
One World Architecture (OWA) has its origins in the firm Gregory Maire Architect Ltd (GMA), which was an award winning architecture and interior design firm based in Evanston, Illinois. Ken Parel-Sewell was the first employee at GMA and coordinated many of their projects, eventually becoming Principal Project Manager. OWA has thrived over the years and now has offices in Louisville and San Diego, providing architectural, interior design, and construction management services.
Our View of the World
The foundation of OWA’s process is a sensitive approach to harmonizing function and beauty in architecture, whether it is a home, an office, or a community center. At our core is an utmost respect and consideration for the client’s needs schedule and budget. Also key is OWA’s belief in strategic, collaborative approaches with teams of appropriate consultants and contractors to best serve the client’s interests.
Please take a moment to explore some of our past projects shown in our Portfolio and review the Services we offer. We look forward to learning about your needs and finding a way we can assist you.
Where We Work
Currently, OWA holds licenses in Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and California. Intent on continuing the reputation of excellent design and service so well established by GMA, OWA looks forward to finding new opportunities to serve clients in the metro areas of Louisville, San Diego, and Nashville. Below are some of the many neighborhoods and communities we serve:
Anchorage, Audubon Park, Bowman Field, Brownsboro-Zorn, Barbourmeade, Butchertown, Cherokee Triangle, Cherokee-Seneca, Clark Station, Clifton, Crescent Hill, Douglas Hills, Douglas Loop, Downtown, English Station, Germantown, Goose Creek, Highlands, Indian Hills, Irish Hill, Jeffersontown, La Grange, Lakeside, Lexington Road, Middletown, Mockingbird Valley, NuLu, Old Brownsboro Place, Old Louisville, Original Highlands, Phoenix Hill, Portland, Prospect, Riedlonn, St. Matthews, Seneca Gardens, Strathmoor Village, Ten Broeck
Alpine, Bay Park, Bonita, Cardiff by the Sea, Carlsbad, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, City Heights, Claremont, Coronado, Del Cerro, Del Mar, Downtown San Diego, East County, East Lake, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Golden Hill, Hillcrest, Imperial Beach, Jamul, Kensington, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Leucadia, Linda Vista, Mira Mesa, Mission Beach, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, National City, Normal Heights, North Park, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Old Town San Diego, Otay Mesa, Pacific Beach, Paradise Hills, Point, Loma, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, San Carlos, San Marcos, Santee, Scripps Ranch, Solana Beach, South San Diego, Spring Valley, Tierrasanta, Torrey Pines, University City
12th Avenue South, Belle Meade, Belmont-Hillsboro, Brentwood, Cross Plains, East End, Forest Hills, Franklin, Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Green Hills, The Gulch, Hendersonville, Kingston Springs, Mount Juliet, Nolensville, Oak Hills, Pleasant View, Smyrna, Spring Hill, Thompson’s Station, White House
Our Team
KEN PAREL-SEWELL
Principal & Owner
Ken Parel-Sewell is a licensed architect with over 20 years of experience covering all phases of architectural practice, from concept development to construction documents to contract administration with a broad range of experience in many building types, from residential to institutional facilities. He holds architectural licenses in Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, and California and is NCARB-certified, allowing easy licensure around the country. Parel-Sewell is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Parel-Sewell founded One World Architecture in 2006 and worked in the Chicago, Nashville, and Louisville markets on a variety of buildings from large community centers, the renovation of a national historic structure, and various commercial and residential projects. During the previous eight years, Parel-Sewell worked at Gregory Maire Architect Ltd, a well renowned design firm in Evanston, IL, eventually leading the firm as its Principal Project Manager. His work with Gregory Maire has been published in the Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Magazine, and several times in Trends Magazine.
Architecture has been Parel-Sewell’s passion since childhood. In 1992, he graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design, focusing much of his education on sacred architecture. Parel-Sewell founded the Louisville Chapter of Architecture for Humanity and served on the Board of Directors for the Peterson Dumensnil House in the Crescent Hill neighborhood in Louisville.
Working patiently and closely with clients to understand their needs, along with thoughtful design, careful coordination, and diligent technical scrutiny, is the foundation of Parel-Sewell’s process for executing all projects in a professional manner. Being an advocate for the client’s interests and ensuring they are comfortable and informed throughout the architectural design process fuels the inspiration and motivations of all his work.
KYLE BRAGG
Designer
Kyle Bragg joined One World Architecture in 2007, after graduating from University of Cincinnati. His years spent in Cincinnati afforded him valuable academic and professional experience. He participated in an urban design studio that looked specifically into issues of residential sustainability in a dense downtown neighborhood.
Bragg also participated in the school’s Co-Op program allowing for a year and a half of hands on work experience during his time at UC. During his co-op experience he had a chance to live and work in Jacksonville, Dallas, Chicago, and San Francisco. These opportunities allowed him to work on a variety of project types ranging from residential to healthcare to large mixed-use developments.
While working at OWA Bragg became LEED accredited and began managing the construction of many of OWA’s residential projects. Believing that building sustainably goes hand in hand with well thought out design and that it should be incorporated in some degree in every project, Bragg brings a close focus to the material selection and details of every project. His fascination with building materials, specifically concrete, inspired him to create his own business creating concrete home accessories called FormdDesign.
DAN MADRYGA
Designer
Dan Madryga joined One World Architecture in 2011. He studied architecture at Drury University and more recently completed graduate studies in architectural theory and research at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to professional experience in architecture firms in Louisville and Seattle, Madryga’s multifaceted interest in the built environment and love of travel has led to his involvement in a wide array of internships, from preserving ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, to helping introduce innovative, sustainable design in Ghana.
Interested in architectural writing and criticism, Madryga has worked as an Assistant Editor at The Competitions Project, an internationally recognized magazine devoted to architectural competitions, and has regularly contributed articles to the publication.
These diverse experiences have contributed to Madryga’s belief and desire to create quality design that responds sensitively to environmental, cultural, and historical contexts.