RDG Welcomes Hospitality Interior Design Leader
Lori Olsen brings more than 20 years of interior design experience, specializing in restaurants, gathering spaces and creative workplace design.
RDG Planning & Design announces that Lori Olsen has joined the firm in its St. Louis location. Olsen brings years of experience in hospitality design and comes to RDG after owning and operating her own firm, Lori O Interiors. In her role at RDG, she will serve as an interior designer with a special focus on hospitality-centered work. She joins RDG alongside longtime colleague and employee, Katie Parker.
“We are thrilled to have Lori join us at RDG. She shares a common bond with her RDG cohorts in her passion for serving her clients and going above and beyond. With so many parallels between the hospitality and senior living markets, our team looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other. We look forward to seeing her future achievements with the support of RDG behind her,” said RDG Senior Partner Kelley Hoffman, NCIDQ.
As an experienced practitioner, Olsen has led multiple hospitality-focused projects in and around the St. Louis metro area, including Aligned Media, Billy G’s (Kirkwood), Joey B’s (Concord; The Hill), Notion Partners, Rosalita’s Cantina (Des Peres; downtown St. Louis) and Quintessential Dining & Nightlife. She is a fierce advocate for accessibility and the incorporation of Universal Design principles and seeks to create environments that meet the diverse needs and abilities of all users. Her unique approach results in designs that relate to and express each client’s distinctive story and history.
“I am so excited for this new chapter at RDG,” said Olsen. “Combining the expertise of both RDG and the Lori O Interiors team, I am certain this is a great foundation for future hospitality projects.”
In 2017, Olsen’s design for Blondie’s Coffee & Wine was awarded first place at Design STL Magazine’s annual Architect & Designer Awards and her work has been featured in local publications including St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles and St. Louis Magazine. Olsen is active in the St. Louis community, especially with organizations and non-profits that focus on disability advocacy and mutual aid.