Who We Are

Healthcare Facility, Medical Office Building, & Surgery Center Architects

For four generations and over 70 years, our family has been expanding on Robert Johnstone’s vision to create fully customized facilities that are as functional as they are beautiful. With a proprietary process we call “The Apex Continuum”, today we combine focused healthcare expertise with a comprehensive, one stop solution offering a full range of design, architecture, and construction services. With every project, our Healthcare Facility, Medical Office Building, & Surgery Center architects strive to achieve the ultimate goal of creating a modern, efficient, comfortable, and practical health care facility that captures the vision, embodies the brand, and delivers the end result that exceeds every client’s expectations.

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The Apex Story

Our family and company have a rich history defined by client service excellence spanning more than 70 years. From the company’s humble beginnings in a residential attic office way back in 1946 to today, our mission has always been to deliver the best outcome for every client. Starting with our founder Robert Johnstone, who worked tirelessly to produce top quality architectural projects for his clients, to today’s design build group four generations strong, the vision remains the same. Throughout our company’s history, we have built a world-class reputation as a firm that specializes and excels in designing, constructing and furnishing architecturally intelligent healthcare facilities across the United States.

1946

1949

1960

1965

1967

1979

1980-1983

1985

1992

2006

2008-2010

2012

2018

1946

With the war over and construction booming, Robert Johnstone obtained his architecture license and opened Robert P. Johnstone Architects in the attic of his home in Oak Park, IL.

Photo: Robert P. Johnstone Architects began in the attic of this Oak Park home.

1949

Robert Johnstone hard at work in his thriving architecture studio.

Photo: Photo: Robert P. Johnstone, February 1949

1960

Robert’s son Charles R. Johnstone joins the firm.

Photo: Photo: Charles Johnstone, 1960

1965

Robert P. Johnstone Architects had built a recognized name and a well-respected reputation in the Chicagoland area.

Photo: Medical building designed by Robert P. Johnstone Architects, 1965. Elmhurst, IL.

1967

After seven years of working at his father’s firm, Charles set out to expand on his talents and focused on hospital design with a large Chicago architectural firm, Schmidt, Garden, and Erikson Architects.

Photo: Photo: Charles Johnstone working to expand into hospital design

1979

Having now designed hospitals all across the United States, Charles partners once again with his father and they rebrand themselves Johnstone Contracting, adding general contracting capabilities to their thriving design and architecture practice.

1980-1983

As Robert retires, Charles’ sons—Bob, Steve and Brian—join Johnstone Contracting. The family business continues to build on their world-class reputation for designing, constructing and furnishing architecturally cherished residences and healthcare facilities.

1985

As the second and third generations expand the business, Johnstone Contracting relocates to a larger facility and begins manufacturing its own brand of millwork for both residential and healthcare clients.

1992

Johnstone Contracting is renamed Millwood Services to better reflect their new manufacturing capabilities.

2006

Having developed a firm widely recognized for its healthcare design capabilities and its renowned cabinetry brand, Millwood Services continues to grow in healthcare architecture, design and construction management.

2008-2010

Steve’s sons—Randy, Sam and Bruce—join the firm and become the fourth generation of the Johnstone family at Millwood Services.

Photo: left to right, Sam, Randy and Bruce Johnstone

2012

Offering a full range of design, architecture, and construction services, the firm rebrands as Apex Design Build.

2018

Over 70 years later, and Apex Design Build has evolved into a world class company, integrating design and construction for premium healthcare facilities across the United States.

Photo: 2018 Apex Company Picnic

Our Mission

To be a world-class company empowering people and strengthening communities.

Our Values

We’re often asked: What’s the secret to your longevity? The answer is actually quite simple — it’s having a clear set of guiding principles by which we operate. What exactly does that mean?

1. We Care

Colleagues
Company
Clients
Culture

2. We Are a Team

We before me
We are in it together
We lend a hand
We are humble

3. We Break Through Barriers

High achiever
Self-accountable
Disciplined
Problem solver
Do it right the first time

If you’re looking for a design build group that offers solutions others can’t, Apex has recognized specialists whom healthcare professionals can rely on to deliver innovative facilities that go beyond what’s expected for an enhanced vision of your practice. Contact the healthcare facility and medical office architects at Apex Design Build for your medical facility project and follow us on social media to learn more about our services. We’re here to help you achieve the healthcare facility of your dreams and assist you in serving the members of your community with the best available in a modern medical practice.

Who We Are

Healthcare Facility, Medical Office Building, & Surgery Center Architects

The Apex Story

1946

Photo: Robert P. Johnstone Architects began in the attic of this Oak Park home.

1949

Photo: Photo: Robert P. Johnstone, February 1949

1960

Photo: Photo: Charles Johnstone, 1960

1965

Photo: Medical building designed by Robert P. Johnstone Architects, 1965. Elmhurst, IL.

1967

Photo: Photo: Charles Johnstone working to expand into hospital design

1979

1980-1983

1985

1992

2006

2008-2010

Photo: left to right, Sam, Randy and Bruce Johnstone

2012

2018

Photo: 2018 Apex Company Picnic

Our Mission

Our Values

1. We Care

2. We Are a Team

3. We Break Through Barriers

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