20 YEARS OF INSPIRING THROUGH THOUGHTFUL DESIGN

Twenty years ago, Matt Rinka set out with a mission that felt both simple and wildly ambitious: to inspire through thoughtful design. Turns out, that mission had legs. It guided us through two decades of growth, reinvention, community-building, and a whole lot of ‘wait…can we actually do that?’ moments. As you can tell, we undoubtedly could.

From dreaming up bold ideas in a little storefront just off of Brady Street, to recently designing the tallest residential tower in the state, we’ve grown into a nationally recognized, award-winning, design collective that continues to push boundaries and set the benchmark for inspirational design.

As we celebrate 20 years of RINKA this year, we’re raising a glass to our visionary clients, our tight-knit communities, and the incredibly talented team that makes this place feel like home, and occasionally a comedy club.

How bold ideas turned into unstoppable realities.

BRANDING

ENHANCING CONNECTIONS THROUGH STORYTELLING

From iconic buildings, to aging brands, we transform spaces, amplify stories, and create identities that form strong, authentic connections to community.

FINANCIAL

CHANGING THE WAY YOU BANK

With more than 400 financial projects delivered, our work has helped reshape how people experience banking. From customer-centric branches to technology-forward environments, our designs respond to place, culture, and community, pushing financial institutions to rethink how they connect with the people they serve.

HOSPITALITY + RETAIL

YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT? YEAH, WE PROBABLY DESIGNED THAT.

From arthouse Belgian beer cafés to high-energy sports bars, upscale Chicago-style steakhouses to Cali-Mex hotspots, we design neighborhood landmarks that feel authentic, energetic, and built to gather. Our restaurant and retail work is rooted in one idea: great spaces create great communities.

MASTERPLANNING

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION

We’re transforming cities, reshaping how communities thrive, and breathing life into the built environment. We’re land planners, urban thinkers, and visionaries that create inspirational places for people to live, work, and play.

RESIDENTIAL

INNOVATIVE LIVING AT EVERY SCALE

From a 44-story high-rise to a community of modular single-family homes, our residential project portfolio covers a wide range of project types at all scales, complexity, and construction type. We’re experts in mixed use / multi-family and senior living, while constantly evolving to bring the most innovative living to neighborhoods across the country.

WORKFORCE HOUSING

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOUSING

Our designs transform local landscapes by bringing thoughtful and inclusive projects to each community. Our workforce housing portfolio makes a profound social impact by delivering affordable housing to essential community members such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, healthcare professionals, and public employees.

WORKPLACE

SPACES THAT POWER PRODUCTIVITY

We’re designing the most innovative workspaces, community-focused schools, forward-looking government institutions, and efficient manufacturing facilities. From small improvement projects to large-scale office towers, we design co-creating spaces that fuel inspiration at all levels.

BEYOND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Our impact reaches beyond the spaces we create; it’s rooted in showing up for the people and organizations that make our communities thrive. Through board service with MIAD, AIA Wisconsin, the UWM Foundation, and Froedtert, we share our expertise in support of missions that strengthen education, advance design, and improve lives. We’re also committed to developing future talent through our RINKA Studio at UW-Milwaukee, adjunct roles at MIAD and mentorship in NAIOP’s Developing Leaders program. From hands-on volunteer efforts with Riverkeeper Cleanup, Habitat for Humanity, and Kinship Farms, to long-term partnerships across the region, we believe meaningful design starts with meaningful connection.