Odile Compagnon

Adjunct Full Professor, Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects

ocarchi.com

Odile Compagnon has been teaching at SAIC since 1998. She took her sabbatical during the Fall 2024.

Odile Compagnon is a licensed architect with over 40 years of practice, between Chicago and Paris. During that time, she has also taught at Parsons School of Design in Paris and at SAIC in the Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture and Designed Objects.

Prior to establishing Odile Compagnon Architect (OCA) in 2000, Odile worked at Chemetov and Huidobro in Paris between 1982 and 1985 overseeing the construction of the French Embassy in New Delhi (India). In 1987, she founded DMC Architectes in Paris with Marie-Hélène Dangeon and Denis Martinet. DMC’s projects were awarded top recognition by “Architecture Mouvement Continuité” in their annual review of built architecture in 1994, 1995, and 1996. In 1997 Odile moved to Chicago and became a founding partner with Studio Gang/O’Donnell where she worked until 2000.

Odile specializes in adaptive reuse, urban planning, education, and community participation. She uses her expertise in exhibit curation, event planning, and stage set design to engage users and participants in the design and fabrication process.

Education

Istituto Universitario di Venezia (Italy): Research Scholar, 1986
University of Illinois at Chicago, 1980-81, exchange student
Unité Pédagogique d’architecture n°3 (Versailles School of Architecture), Architecte d.p.l.g., 1977-82

Notable Classes Taught:

Scenography since 2018 (before that, starting in 2004 a precursor class was called Stage Set Design)
Design Action: North Lawndale in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Re:Materials at Homan Square 2025

Sabbatical Reflection

After nearly 28 years of teaching as an adjunct faculty member at SAIC, I was thrilled to take a much-anticipated semester off in Fall 2024 to focus on long-delayed research. For years, I had tried to pursue this work in the margins—reading and experimenting during the summer, in between professional projects and family commitments—so having dedicated time for it was truly invaluable.

Being invited to participate in the Sabbatical Triennial was an incredible and unexpected bonus. It marked the first time I had the opportunity to exhibit my own work, and I’m deeply grateful to the Frank family for the 2024–2025 Karen and Jim Frank Excellence in Teaching Award. Their generous support provided the time and resources that made my participation possible.

Together, the sabbatical and the exhibition became essential platforms for sharing my discoveries—with colleagues, students, architecture peers, and clients. Through this work, and especially through a hands-on workshop I attended in France focusing on natural materials such as hemp, clay, and straw, I’ve deepened my exploration into sustainable, durable, and recyclable construction methods. These materials show real promise in improving thermal insulation, increasing biomass, and creating carbon sinks in building practices.

Returning to Chicago with this experience has also connected me to a growing network of like-minded architects across the U.S. and in the local community, all driven by a shared commitment to environmentally responsible design.

I look forward to continuing to integrate and share these insights with my students in the semesters ahead.