Strong and simple: Asketic’s rebrand of OAD marks a new chapter in the architecture firm’s journey

The architecture practice of Zane Tetere-Šulce – who leads one of Latvia’s leading architecture and design offices – has undergone a rebranding initiative to enhance its visibility and reputation in international markets. By adopting the new name, Open Architecture Design (OAD), the company aims to solidify its presence on a global scale, building upon their diverse portfolio of luxury residence and commercial interior projects successfully completed across multiple countries. The rebranding, crafted by fellow Latvians Asketic, aligns the visual identity with the brand’s goals, future vision, and core formula of “form, function, and feelings.” Delivering plenty of impact, the big and bold ‘OAD’ logo was designed with custom lettering to embody the essence of the company, representing a “strong, visible, and convincing character,” with meticulous attention to detail. In addition to the logo, Lead Designer and Partner Mikelis Bastiks reveals that the full company name, ‘Open Architecture Design,’ is set in Neue Haas Grotesk (Regular), which serves as a secondary mark. Asketic chose this typeface, he explains, because it aligns perfectly with the clean and straightforward character of the practice. The font is used consistently across various identity materials, ensuring a cohesive and professional visual identity. When it comes to the colour and material palette, the Latvia-based studio took inspiration from its daily work as an architectural office. “OAD works with various materials, textures, and colours on a daily basis,” notes Bastiks. The decision to go with a black and white colour palette was driven by the desire to create a background that wouldn’t compete with the rich project images. Additionally, the combination of architects and black and white is a classic and timeless pairing.”