GLO is an architectural design studio that approaches its work as an ongoing conversation with clients, collaborators and bleacher commentators alike.

As a spatial practice, GLO values iteration and play, engaging in equal parts with historical/typological research and spontaneous conceptual exploration.

As an acronym, its meaning is mutable. Today, perhaps channeling a Glittering, Lavish Octogenarian best suits our needs, but tomorrow you might require the blunter design services of a Group of Literal Orangutans (to perhaps design your Ginormous Limestone Observatory?). By remaining undefined (or perpetually re-defined) the design ethos of the practice is embodied within GLO - design undertaken in the spirit of openness, adaptability, and re-invention.


GLO Architecture & Design PLLC is led by Joanie Tom, an architect and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. Prior to starting GLO, Joanie practiced at SHoP Architects where she was most recently project architect on 335 Madison, NYC - a gut renovation and conversion of the erstwhile Biltmore Hotel into a vertical tech campus and headquarters for COMPANY. Joanie received a Master in Architecture with Distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. During her time there she was the recipient of the Araldo Cossutta Prize for Design Excellence, the KPF Traveling Fellowship and the AIA Henry Adams Certificate. Prior to finding her way to architecture, Joanie worked in finance, first with Goldman, Sachs & Co., then with HBK Capital Investments. She has held teaching positions at the GSD, NJIT and Parsons. She is currently a studio instructor in the undergraduate architecture program at the Pratt Institute.


All inquiries: info@glo.design