American Architecture Award

A New Safety and Transit Hub Begins at Butler University

CSO recently joined Butler University and its extended campus community to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Safety and Transit Hub. The event marked an important step in the evolution of Butler’s campus.

Envisioned as more than a single facility, the Hub is designed to support how people arrive at, move through, and connect with Butler and the surrounding Midtown neighborhoods. The project brings together transit functions, safety operations, and sustainable infrastructure to create a welcoming gateway that works at both a campus and city scale.

As Butler’s design partner, CSO is proud to continue a trusted, long‑term relationship with the University, helping translate institutional goals into built environments that reflect Butler’s values and future aspirations. The Safety and Transit Hub advances Butler’s broader Gateway Project, reinforcing connections between campus and community while supporting daily campus life through thoughtful, integrated design.

Construction is now underway, and CSO looks forward to seeing this next chapter take shape alongside our partners at Butler.

National Desert Storm Memorial Reaches Major Milestone with Unity Shield Installation

Since 2012, CSO has been proud to serve as an official partner to the National Desert Storm Memorial Association (NDSMA), supporting its mission to build the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial. Our team joined the effort by working alongside the NDSMA board and veterans to shape an early design vision grounded in honor and remembrance.

Construction activities continue as the memorial’s major elements are set in place. Most recently, a crane carefully placed the cast bronze Unity Shield, an integral element of the memorial’s central fountain, into its permanent position. The circular fountain will measure 28 feet in diameter, and the edge of the Unity Shield will bear the names of the coalition member countries, reflecting the international partnership that defined the conflict.

Following several years of off-site fabrication work, on-site construction commenced in 2025 near the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Completion is currently projected for 2026.

CSO is grateful to contribute to a place that will help future generations understand the legacy of Desert Shield and Desert Storm and the enduring bravery of those who served.

Scroll to the last image to see the full design team.

To learn more and follow progress, visit NDSMA’s website. There are still opportunities to support this effort.

Memorial Receives American Architecture Award

CSO and Olin are honored to share that The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial received an American Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum!

CSO has been involved in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial project since 2012, with CSO Principal, Randy Schumacher, leading the design efforts that enabled Congressional approval for the memorial.

The memorial honors the heroic service of the American armed forces and their coalition partners through a thoughtful design that guides visitors along a “left hook” circulation pattern, inspired by the famed flanking maneuver that helped lead to the end of the war. Set within the National Mall, the memorial’s curving walls and shaded grove create a tranquil and reflective sanctuary where visitors can reflect and honor this significant event in history.

Learn more about the project here.