NBBJ Design
NBBJ is an employee-owned global architecture and design firm founded in 1943, serving healthcare systems, corporations, universities, and government clients across 12 cities from its Seattle headquarters, with applied research in neuroscience, human health, and building performance underpinning its practice.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1943
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NBBJ Design does
NBBJ is an employee-owned global architecture, planning, and design firm founded in 1943 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, operating from 12 creative capitals across the US, UK, China, and Singapore. The firm delivers integrated services spanning architecture, interior design, urban design, environmental graphic design, lighting design, workplace strategy, healthcare consulting, and experience design for enterprise clients in healthcare systems, major corporations, universities, and government entities. Its practice is differentiated by an Applied Research program covering neuroscience, human health, planning and program innovation, systems thinking, and building performance, including a decade-long fellowship with molecular biologist Dr. John Medina that translates brain science into design methodology.
The business model is professional services fee-for-engagement, with project scopes ranging from individual buildings (e.g., 60,000 SM mixed-use towers in Singapore) to multi-year, multi-billion-dollar campus and healthcare system programs (e.g., Atrium Health's six-hospital prefabrication initiative with 60% prefab parts and $100M in construction cost savings). The firm pursues go-to-market through direct enterprise relationships, competitive bids on major institutional commissions, and thought leadership anchored by industry recognition (TIME100 Most Influential Company 2025, six-time Fast Company Most Innovative honoree, 1,000+ industry awards, and CarbonNeutral certification). NBBJ's intellectual property is concentrated in proprietary design methodologies—prefabricated healthcare delivery, open-core hospital layouts, Passivhaus laboratory design, double-curtainwall energy systems, and neuroscience-based environmental design—rather than in patentable technology, and revenue is generated through architecture and design fees plus applied research consulting engagements.
NBBJ Design firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NBBJ Design
- Legal name
- NBBJ LP
- Website
- https://nbbj.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1943
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- NBBJ is an employee-owned global architecture and design firm founded in 1943, serving healthcare systems, corporations, universities, and government clients across 12 cities from its Seattle headquarters, with applied research in neuroscience, human health, and building performance underpinning its practice.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NBBJ Design industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architecture and Design Services
- NAICS
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Interior Design Services (541410), Engineering Services (541330), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting (BPAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where NBBJ Design is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
NBBJ Design business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architecture and Design Services: NBBJ generates revenue through professional architecture and design services for clients including master planning, architecture, interiors, experience design, and related consulting services. Projects range from healthcare facilities and corporate headquarters to educational institutions and public buildings.
- Applied Research Consulting: NBBJ conducts applied research partnerships and shares knowledge through publications, contributing to industry advancement and reinforcing thought leadership positioning.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
NBBJ Design product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NBBJ delivers professional architecture and design services spanning master planning, architecture, interiors, experience design, environmental graphic design, healthcare consulting, lighting design, urban design, workplace strategy, and design performance for enterprise clients. The firm's offering is supported by an applied research program in neuroscience, human health, planning and program innovation, systems thinking, and building performance that translates scientific insight into evidence-based design solutions for healthcare systems, corporate clients, universities, and civic organizations.
Product overview
NBBJ Design is an architecture and design firm offering a comprehensive suite of services including Architecture Services (core), Interior Design, Environmental Graphic Design, Experience Design, Healthcare Consulting, Lighting Design, Urban Design, Workplace Strategy, Design Performance, and Applied Research. The firm's services span master planning, architecture, interiors, experience design, and applied research, organized around market sectors including healthcare, corporate office, science and technology, and civic/education. The Applied Research Program provides the scientific foundation for the firm's design methodology, while the various design services operate as an integrated practice rather than standalone modules.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architecture Services Full-service architectural design covering healthcare facilities, corporate offices, education, civic, and research projects, with emphasis on building performance and design quality.
- Interior Design Interior design services for workplace, healthcare, and commercial spaces, focused on human-centered environments.
- Environmental Graphic Design Designs experiences connecting people to place through wayfinding, signage, artwork, and interactive installations at the intersection of communication design and the built environment.
- Experience Design Design of immersive and interactive experiences within architectural spaces, including digital art installations and experiential graphics.
- Healthcare Consulting Consulting services for healthcare facility planning focused on operational efficiency, patient experience, and clinical workflow optimization.
- Lighting Design Architectural lighting design services to enhance building performance, occupant well-being, and aesthetic quality.
- Urban Design Urban planning and design services for districts, campuses, and public spaces, emphasizing community engagement and sustainability.
- Workplace Strategy Strategic consulting for workplace transformation, including change management, real estate strategy, and space optimization.
- Design Performance Services measuring and optimizing building performance metrics including energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant productivity.
- Applied Research Program Research program spanning neuroscience, human health, planning and program innovation, systems thinking, and building performance, translating scientific insight into design solutions for the firm's projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90%+ carbon reduction in healthcare facilities (Massachusetts General Hospital Ragon Building)
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use NBBJ Design
Customer profileNamed customers22 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
NBBJ Design technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
NBBJ Design partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Dr. John MedinacoreNBBJ Fellow and molecular biologist, professor and New York Times bestselling author. Decade-long neuroscience fellowship exploring how brain science can enhance design of schools, hospitals, workplaces. Research partnership on design strategies that lower energy costs while keeping buildings cool.
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)coreDesign partner for Vista Pavilion, a 14-story, 500,000+ SF hospital expansion on OHSU's Marquam Hill campus. Project opened April 2026, adding 128 new patient beds and increasing bed capacity by nearly one-third for advanced oncology treatment.
- SkanskacoreGeneral contractor for Vista Pavilion at OHSU. Skanska completed construction of the 14-story, 530,000-square-foot hospital expansion representing one of the most complex healthcare builds in Oregon. Project delivered on schedule and under budget.
- Oxford University DevelopmentcoreJoint venture between Oxford University and Legal & General that delivered the Life and Mind Building. NBBJ served as architect for the 269,000 sq ft facility, one of the largest projects ever undertaken by the University.
- WatesmajorConstruction partner for Oxford University Life and Mind Building. Wates constructed the 269,000 sq ft facility that achieved EPC rating of A and sets new benchmark for low-carbon, sustainable design.
- The New York Academy of SciencesmajorPartner for global survey of scientists about what scientists want in research buildings. NBBJ conducted survey with the Academy to gather insights for enhancing lab environments and research facility design.
- Dr. Jonathan Slutzman (Massachusetts General Hospital)majorEmergency Department physician and Medical Director of Environmental Sustainability at MGH. Collaborated on video exploring how hospitals can reduce emissions by 90%, featuring Phillip and Susan Ragon Building designed for 100% renewable energy.
- Keppel LandcoreClient and partner for Keppel South Central, a 60,000 SM mixed-use development in Singapore. Building achieved Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy), Singapore's highest sustainability rating, with 40% heat gain reduction below code.
- Atrium HealthcoreLargest prefabricated healthcare building initiative in the US, encompassing six new hospitals. Carolinas Medical Center uses 60% prefabricated parts—the most extensive of any large hospital in America. Saved $100 million on first three hospitals.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NBBJ Design competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gensler: Gensler is the largest global architecture and design firm, with a comparable multi-vertical practice spanning workplace, healthcare, education, and civic sectors. Most direct competitor to NBBJ by scale, service breadth, and blue-chip enterprise client mix.
- HOK: HOK is a global architecture, engineering, and design firm with strong healthcare, science & technology, and corporate practices. Closely comparable to NBBJ in healthcare design depth and corporate workplace strategy offerings.
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM): SOM is a global architecture, engineering, and urban planning firm with comparable enterprise client base and a strong sustainability research practice. Comparable in scale, global footprint, and emphasis on technical/sustainable design innovation.
- Perkins&Will: Perkins&Will is a global architecture firm with deep healthcare and education practices and a well-known research-driven design approach. Closely comparable in healthcare specialization, applied research orientation, and sustainability leadership.
- HKS Architects: HKS is a global architecture firm renowned for healthcare design with growing corporate and education practices. Directly comparable to NBBJ in healthcare specialization and enterprise-scale project delivery.
- ZGF Architects: ZGF is a national architecture firm with strong healthcare, research/lab, and workplace practices. Comparable to NBBJ in research facility design (universities and hospitals) and sustainability leadership.
- Populous: Populous is a global architecture firm specializing in sports venues and large-scale civic/assembly projects. Comparable in scale, global footprint, and marquee-project brand positioning, though narrower in vertical mix.
- CannonDesign: CannonDesign is an integrated architecture, engineering, and design firm with deep healthcare and education practices. Comparable in healthcare specialization and cross-disciplinary service model.
- Foster + Partners: Foster + Partners is a global architecture and integrated design firm with comparable sustainability innovation, large enterprise clients, and applied research orientation. Comparable as a global premium brand competing for marquee international projects.
Broad incumbents
- CallisonRTKL (Arcadis): CallisonRTKL, now part of Arcadis, is a global architecture and design consultancy with strong retail, workplace, and hospitality practices. Comparable as a multi-vertical design firm but operates within a larger, publicly traded parent organization.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NBBJ Design social profiles
Digital presenceNBBJ Design compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
NBBJ Design financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NBBJ Design leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
NBBJ Design subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
NBBJ Design funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NBBJ Design M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NBBJ Design
What does NBBJ Design do?
NBBJ delivers professional architecture and design services spanning master planning, architecture, interiors, experience design, environmental graphic design, healthcare consulting, lighting design, urban design, workplace strategy, and design performance for enterprise clients. The firm's offering is supported by an applied research program in neuroscience, human health, planning and program innovation, systems thinking, and building performance that translates scientific insight into evidence-based design solutions for healthcare systems, corporate clients, universities, and civic organizations.
Is NBBJ Design a public or private company?
NBBJ Design is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was NBBJ Design founded?
NBBJ Design was founded in 1943. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is NBBJ Design based?
NBBJ Design is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does NBBJ Design make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Architecture and Design Services are the primary driver. The others are applied Research Consulting.
Who are NBBJ Design's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gensler, HOK, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Perkins&Will, HKS Architects, ZGF Architects, Populous, CannonDesign and Foster + Partners. CallisonRTKL (Arcadis) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does NBBJ Design have an API?
No public API is recorded for NBBJ Design.
What industry is NBBJ Design in?
NBBJ Design's product category is Architecture and Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAG, Sustainable/Green Building & LEED Consulting. Its NAICS code is 5413 and its SIC code is 8711.