Chief Architect
Chief Architect is a privately held, founder-owned software company developing 3D CAD and BIM software purpose-built for residential home design, serving professional architects, builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY consumers through subscription-based direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersCoeur D'alene, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Chief Architect does
Chief Architect, Inc. is a privately held, founder-owned software company headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, that develops 3D CAD and building information modeling (BIM) software purpose-built for residential home design. Founded in 1992 by Jack Simpson, a Stanford physics PhD, the company sells directly to professional architects, home builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY consumers through its Chief Architect Premier and Home Designer product lines. Its technology is differentiated by an object-based 3D CAD architecture with smart object design principles protected by six US patents, enabling automatic generation of roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists from wall-drawing inputs, plus what the company describes as the fastest real-time rendering available for interior designers. The platform is reinforced by an ecosystem of mobile apps (3D Viewer with AR/VR, Chief As-Built for measurement capture) and a 3D Library hosting catalogs from over 100 manufacturer brand partners serving more than one million users.
The business model centers on annual and monthly software subscriptions ($1,995/year or $229/month for Chief Architect Premier), supplemented by a $500/year Catalog Partner Program fee paid by manufacturers and a lower-priced Home Designer DIY line. Distribution is direct-to-customer via chiefarchitect.com and homedesignersoftware.com, supported by deep content marketing (ChiefBlog, webinars, certification programs, YouTube, the 32,587-member ChiefTalk Professional Forum) and trade show presence including the International Builder's Show and NKBA partnerships. With fewer than 100 employees and a stated policy of contributing 30% or more of profits to the Opportunity Foundation, Chief Architect operates as a profitable, mission-aligned private firm rather than a venture-scaled enterprise.
Customer segments are organized vertically into architects, builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY enthusiasts, each with tailored tooling within the same design engine. The company has expanded incrementally through product launches (Chief As-Built in 2025, 3D Viewer in 2012), ongoing catalog partner additions (most recently MSI in June 2026), and NKBA-aligned certification for kitchen and bath professionals, but has not pursued acquisitions, external funding, or geographic expansion beyond the United States and Canada.
Chief Architect firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chief Architect
- Legal name
- Chief Architect, Inc.
- Website
- https://chiefarchitect.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Chief Architect is a privately held, founder-owned software company developing 3D CAD and BIM software purpose-built for residential home design, serving professional architects, builders, remodelers, interior designers, kitchen and bath designers, and DIY consumers through subscription-based direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chief Architect industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Architectural Design Software
- NAICS
- Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural Services (54131)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA), Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)
Keywords
Where Chief Architect is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Coeur D'alene
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chief Architect business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Software Subscriptions: Chief Architect Premier is sold as an annual or monthly subscription. Annual subscription billed at $1,995/year (save 27% vs monthly). Monthly billing at $229/month. Legacy license upgrades available at $995 first year (50% discount).
- Catalog Partner Program: Brand partners pay an annual fee of $500 for catalog setup, hosting, and maintenance in the Chief Architect 3D Library for customer downloads.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Chief Architect Premier Annual Subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | Chief Architect Premier Monthly Subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Legacy License Upgrade |
| Subscription | Annual | Catalog Partner Program Annual Fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Chief Architect product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chief Architect develops and sells 3D architectural home design software (CAD/BIM) purpose-built for residential design. The flagship Chief Architect Premier product uses smart building technology that automatically generates roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists as users draw walls. The company also publishes the Home Designer DIY line (file-compatible with Premier), the Chief Architect 3D Viewer mobile app for AR/VR client visualization, the Chief As-Built App for remodeling measurements, and the 3D Library platform hosting 100+ manufacturer-branded product catalogs.
Product overview
Chief Architect offers a two-tier product portfolio for residential home design. The core professional offering is Chief Architect Premier, which provides complete residential and light commercial design capabilities including 3D visualization, 2D drafting, construction documentation, and automatic material scheduling. For the DIY market, the company publishes Home Designer software, which shares the same design engine and is file-compatible with Chief Architect, enabling professional-designer and homeowner collaboration. Supporting the core products are the Chief Architect 3D Viewer mobile app (for client visualization with AR/VR capabilities), the Chief As-Built App (for capturing existing space measurements for remodeling), and the Chief Architect 3D Library (a digital catalog of manufacturer-branded product models). All products use an object-based 3D CAD system with building information modeling (BIM) principles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chief Architect Premier: Professional home design software for full residential or light commercial design—3D visualization, 2D design, elevations, cross sections, CAD details, site plans, and construction drawings.
- Home Designer
- Chief Architect 3D Viewer
- Chief As-Built
Products and services
- Chief Architect Premier Professional 3D architectural home design software for builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers, and kitchen & bath designers offering full residential or light commercial design capabilities including 3D visualization, 2D design, elevations, cross sections, CAD details, site plans, and construction drawings. Automatically generates roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists as users draw walls. Sold as an annual subscription ($1,995/year, save 27% vs monthly) or monthly subscription ($229/month). Legacy license upgrades available at $995 for the first year (50% discount). Includes software upgrades, premium catalog downloads, and priority technical support.
- Home Designer DIY home design software product line for homeowners and home enthusiasts who want to visualize, design, or remodel their own homes. Uses the same design engine as Chief Architect Premier and is fully file-compatible, allowing homeowners to share projects with professional builders and designers. Formerly sold as Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer (2003-2009) and 3D Home Architect (1993-2002).
- Chief Architect 3D Viewer App Free mobile application (iOS and Android) that lets clients, homeowners, structural engineers, and subcontractors view 3D home design models exported from Chief Architect Premier. Supports augmented reality and virtual reality modes including walking, flying, and dynamic cross section exploration.
- Chief As-Built App Mobile application for capturing as-built conditions of existing residential spaces and overlaying them with new design plans, supporting the remodeling workflow for builders, remodelers, and designers using Chief Architect.
- Chief Architect 3D Library Digital catalog platform containing manufacturer-branded 3D product models (cabinets, doors and windows, fixtures, appliances, furniture, hardware, lighting, materials and surfaces, and millwork) that designers can incorporate directly into Chief Architect and Home Designer designs. Brand partners participate in the Catalog Partner Program at $500 per year to cover catalog setup, hosting, and maintenance, with catalogs updateable up to twice per year. Includes 100+ catalog partners including Kohler, Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Delta Faucet, Moen, Andersen Windows, James Hardie, Cambria, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Thermador, Fisher & Paykel, Decora Cabinetry, The Galley, MSI, and Wayfair Trade.
Quantifiable outcome
- Save 27% with annual vs monthly billing
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Chief Architect
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Chief Architect technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Chief Architect partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MSI (M S International, Inc.)coreMSI's Q™ engineered surfaces are now available through the Chief Architect 3D Library platform, allowing designers to access and incorporate MSI countertop products directly into residential design projects. MSI offers digital tools including room visualizers and design resources alongside this launch.
- KohlercorePartner in the Chief Architect Catalog Partner Program providing product catalogs compatible with Chief Architect software. Catalog allows designers to incorporate Kohler fixtures and appliances into designs.
- Sherwin-WilliamscorePartner in the Chief Architect Catalog Partner Program providing paint and coating product catalogs for design visualization.
- Benjamin Moorecore
- Delta FaucetcorePartner providing Delta fixture and plumbing product catalogs for the Chief Architect 3D Library.
- MoencorePartner providing Moen fixture and plumbing product catalogs for the 3D Library.
- Andersen WindowscorePartner providing window product catalogs for Chief Architect designs.
- James HardiecorePartner providing siding and exterior product catalogs for the 3D Library.
- CambriacorePartner providing natural stone and quartz surface product catalogs for kitchen and bath designs.
- Wolf CookingcorePartner providing professional-grade appliance catalogs for the 3D Library.
- Sub-ZerocorePartner providing premium refrigeration and kitchen appliance catalogs.
- ThermadorcorePartner providing luxury kitchen appliance product catalogs.
- Fisher & PaykelcorePartner providing appliance product catalogs for the 3D Library.
- Decorá CabinetrycoreChief Architect Exclusive partner providing custom cabinetry catalogs. Featured as a Chief Architect Exclusive in the 3D Library.
- The GalleycoreFeatured partner providing specialty cabinetry and organization product catalogs.
- NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association)coreNKBA software programs and CEU approved training videos. Many Chief Architect webinar videos are NKBA certified for continuing education credits.
- Fine Homebuilding MagazineminorFeatured design illustrations in Fine Homebuilding magazine including the 2018 California House project.
- Opportunity FoundationminorChief Architect contributes a large portion of its profits (typically 30% or more) to fund Opportunity Foundation projects in Hyderabad, India and Nang Rong, Thailand.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Chief Architect competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Autodesk: Autodesk offers Revit, AutoCAD Architecture, and FormIt, which directly compete with Chief Architect in residential and architectural BIM/design. Identified as a "key market player" alongside Chief Architect in the interior design software market, with vastly greater resources and broader market reach.
- SketchUp (Trimble): SketchUp is a 3D design tool widely used for architecture and interior design, also identified as a "key market player" alongside Chief Architect. It targets similar residential and architectural design customers with comparable 3D modeling and visualization capabilities, including a free tier that competes on accessibility.
- Cedreo: Cedreo provides residential home design software for builders, remodelers, and real estate professionals, directly competing with Chief Architect's core offering. It focuses on floor plans, 3D renderings, and home design documentation for the same professional customer segments.
- SoftPlan: SoftPlan offers residential design software purpose-built for home builders, remodelers, and designers, providing 3D modeling, material lists, and construction documentation. It directly competes with Chief Architect Premier for the same professional residential design customer base.
- Planner 5D: Planner 5D provides home design software for DIY users and professionals, with 2D/3D floor planning, rendering, and AR visualization. It competes with both Chief Architect's Home Designer DIY product line and the entry-level segment of professional users with cross-platform availability.
Emerging players
- RoomSketcher: RoomSketcher provides floor plan and home design software for consumers and professionals, including 2D/3D floor plans, 3D visualizations, and virtual tours. It overlaps with Chief Architect's Home Designer line and the visualization/3D Viewer functionality for residential design customers.
- Sweet Home 3D: Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application that helps users draw house plans and arrange furniture in 3D. It competes primarily with Chief Architect's DIY/entry-level segment and represents a free alternative that may capture price-sensitive users.
- HomeByMe: HomeByMe is an online 3D home design platform that allows users to create floor plans and visualize homes in 3D. It overlaps with Chief Architect's 3D Viewer and Home Designer DIY functionality, targeting consumers and small design professionals with browser-based design tools.
Broad incumbents
- Vectorworks (Nemetschek): Vectorworks is a broader design software platform by Nemetschek that includes architecture, landscape, and interior design capabilities. It competes with Chief Architect in professional architectural design as part of a wider portfolio of design tools serving multiple disciplines.
- ArchiCAD (Graphisoft): ArchiCAD is a BIM software by Graphisoft (part of Nemetschek Group) used by architects for building design. It competes with Chief Architect in the architectural design software market as part of a larger professional BIM platform with broader enterprise reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Chief Architect social profiles
Digital presenceChief Architect financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chief Architect leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Chief Architect funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chief Architect 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 Chief Architect
What does Chief Architect do?
Chief Architect develops and sells 3D architectural home design software (CAD/BIM) purpose-built for residential design. The flagship Chief Architect Premier product uses smart building technology that automatically generates roofs, foundations, framing, dimensions, product schedules, and materials lists as users draw walls. The company also publishes the Home Designer DIY line (file-compatible with Premier), the Chief Architect 3D Viewer mobile app for AR/VR client visualization, the Chief As-Built App for remodeling measurements, and the 3D Library platform hosting 100+ manufacturer-branded product catalogs.
Is Chief Architect a public or private company?
Chief Architect is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Chief Architect founded?
Chief Architect was founded in 1992. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Chief Architect based?
Chief Architect is headquartered in Coeur D'alene, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chief Architect make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Software Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are catalog Partner Program.
Who are Chief Architect's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Autodesk, SketchUp (Trimble), Cedreo, SoftPlan and Planner 5D. Emerging players are RoomSketcher, Sweet Home 3D and HomeByMe. Broad incumbents are Vectorworks (Nemetschek) and ArchiCAD (Graphisoft).
Does Chief Architect have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chief Architect.
What industry is Chief Architect in?
Chief Architect's product category is Residential Architectural Design Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAK, Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services. Its NAICS code is 54141 and its SIC code is 2590.