LEVER Architecture

What LEVER Architecture does

LEVER Architecture is a privately held, full-service architecture firm founded in 2009 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with a second office in Los Angeles, California. The firm specializes in mass timber construction using Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glulam beams, and Mass Plywood Panels, and serves enterprise clients in commercial, institutional, educational, nonprofit, and high-end residential segments across the US West Coast. Notable clients include adidas, NBCUniversal, The Nature Conservancy, Meyer Memorial Trust, University of Oregon, Oregon Health and Science University, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Tillamook, Redcar Properties, and the Portland Museum of Art.

LEVER's technical differentiation is anchored in several first-of-their-kind innovations: the first US building made from domestically-produced CLT (Albina Yard, 16,000 sf, 2016), the first wood high-rise design approved for construction in the US (Framework, 90,000 sf, approved 2017), the world's first two-hour fire rating for mass timber beam-to-column connections, a nine-ply CLT rocking wall core with post-tensioned steel rods and U-Shaped Flexural Plates for seismic self-centering, hybrid timber-concrete structural systems, and CNC-fabricated timber connections milled to 1/8-inch tolerance. The firm has invested heavily in research partnerships with Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Oregon, US Forest Products Laboratory, and North Carolina State University for seismic, fire, acoustic, and life-cycle testing, and operates an open-source innovation library documenting its mass timber methodologies. Complementary initiatives include the Forest to Frame research tool (with Ecotrust), sustainable wood-sourcing criteria (with Sustainable Northwest), and the "Mythbusting Mass Timber" white paper (with Atelier Ten).

Commercially, LEVER is a low-volume, high-complexity project-based professional services practice that generates revenue through architectural design fees structured as a percentage of construction costs or fixed project fees. Distribution is direct B2B engagement through design competitions, RFPs, and referrals in West Coast markets (primarily Oregon, California, Wyoming), with project sf ranging from 2,200 sf (L'Angolo Estate Winery) to 460,000 sf (adidas campus expansion). Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The firm is led by Founding Principal Thomas Robinson (FAIA) and Principal Chandra Robinson (a Portland Design Commissioner since 2019), is founder-owned and operated with no disclosed institutional investors or subsidiaries, and has accumulated over 30 industry awards including the 2024 Architect's Newspaper Best of Practice (Best Medium Firm West), 2025 Metropolis Planet Positive Workplace Award, and multiple AIA Honor, ULI, Fast Company Innovation by Design, and Architizer A+ recognitions.

Name

LEVER Architecture

Legal name

Lever Architecture

Website

https://leverarchitecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LEVER Architecture is a Portland, Oregon-based (with Los Angeles office) full-service architecture firm specializing in mass timber construction and sustainable design, serving enterprise, institutional, nonprofit, and high-end residential clients across the US West Coast.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Timber & Structural Engineered Wood (CLT, Glulam, NLT/DLT) (IMADADAC), CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) Manufacturing (IMAMACAF), Mass Timber Panels & Components (DLT, NLT, Hybrid Panels) (IMAMACAG), Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)

Keywords

• Mass timber architecture
• Sustainable building design
• Commercial architecture services
• Cross-laminated timber construction
• Biophilic design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: LEVER Architecture generates revenue through architectural design fees for commercial, institutional, and residential projects. Fees are typically structured as a percentage of construction costs or fixed project fees, with revenue derived from new construction, renovations, and expansions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

LEVER Architecture is a full-service architecture firm specializing in mass timber construction and sustainable design for commercial, institutional, residential, and cultural buildings. The firm delivers architectural design, structural engineering consultation, and sustainable building research, with notable projects including the first US domestically-produced CLT building (Albina Yard), the first US wood high-rise approved for construction (Framework), and expansions for clients like adidas and The Nature Conservancy. Services span new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse with a focus on biophilic design, seismic resilience, and LEED-certified outcomes.

Product overview

LEVER Architecture is a collaborative architecture firm with offices in Portland and Los Angeles, specializing in innovative mass timber construction, sustainable design, and community-focused building projects. Their portfolio includes notable commercial projects (adidas Headquarters, Oregon Conservation Center, Framework high-rise, Albina Yard, Meyer Memorial Trust), educational facilities (University of Oregon Highland Hall), residential projects (Alta House, TreeHouse), hospitality (L'Angolo Estate Winery), and cultural/institutional work. The firm is recognized for pioneering domestically-produced Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) construction, sustainable wood sourcing practices, and seismic-resilient mass timber structural systems. LEVER operates as a full-service architecture firm rather than a software product company, offering architectural design, innovation research, and sustainable building consultation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• adidas Headquarters Expansion and Gold Building Major expansion of adidas North American Headquarters featuring two signature mass timber buildings (Gold Building and South Building) totaling 460,000 sf of campus improvements, with hybrid timber-concrete structural systems and LEED Gold certification.
• Oregon Conservation Center Renovation and expansion of The Nature Conservancy's Oregon headquarters featuring FSC-certified cross-laminated timber, sustainably-sourced materials from conservation sites, and LEED Gold certification.
• Albina Yard First US building made from domestically-produced Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a 16,000 sf speculative office building in North Portland pioneering mass timber construction technology.
• Framework First wood high-rise design in the US to receive approval for construction, a 90,000 sf mixed-use building combining retail, office, and 60 units of affordable housing with innovative CLT rocking wall seismic system.
• Meyer Memorial Trust Headquarters New campus for a private foundation featuring Mass Plywood Panels, LEED v4 Platinum certification, and innovative sustainable wood sourcing criteria.
• University of Oregon, Highland Hall Transformation of a former gymnasium into new home for the Department of Architecture featuring mass plywood reclaimed from Tallwood Design Institute testing, natural ventilation, and daylighting analysis.
• Alta House 3,980 sf private residence in Alta, Wyoming featuring weathering steel and Accoya wood exterior, super-insulation with wood fiber insulation, and energy recovery ventilation for extreme climate conditions.
• Oregon Health and Science University Housing (TreeHouse) Seven-story, 69-unit multi-family apartment building on Marquam Hill campus featuring forest-inspired fa\u00e7ade design and light-framed wood construction over concrete podium.
• L'Angolo Estate Winery 2,200 sf wine tasting room in Newberg, Oregon featuring cantilevered Douglas fir roof structures, structural wood glazing system, and passive cooling design.
• 843 N Spring Street Mass timber office and retail building in Los Angeles' Chinatown featuring CLT floor plates, steel post-and-beam systems, transit-oriented design adjacent to Metro Rail station.
• World Forestry Center Campus expansion featuring new Experience Center with Mass Plywood Panels, timber curtain wall system, and black box exhibition space connecting to Washington Park.
• Mass Plywood Pavilion Seasonal event pavilion at Portland Art Museum, first structure in the US built from Mass Plywood material manufactured by Freres Lumber, constructed from fifteen 4' x 17' x 6' panels.
• NBCUniversal Campus Project Campus transformation with revitalized landscapes and amenities, LEED Platinum buildings at Universal Studios Hollywood lot.

Quantifiable outcome

• Framework project achieves 60%+ embodied carbon savings compared to conventional concrete structure
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Studio O+AcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021LEVER collaborated with Studio O+A as co-design partner for adidas North American Headquarters expansion, with LEVER leading mass timber design and O+A handling interior design for the 460,000 sf campus transformation.
• GGN (Gordon Gross Nelson)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021LEVER collaborated with GGN landscape architecture firm for adidas campus expansion project, providing landscape design services for the new sports plaza and campus improvements.
• Redcar PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaboration with Redcar Properties on 843 N Spring Street mass timber office development in Los Angeles Chinatown. Redcar Properties is the developer/owner of the CLT office and retail building.
• James Corner Field OperationsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021LEVER collaborated with James Corner Field Operations on 843 N Spring Street project, providing urban design and landscape architecture services for the transit-oriented development.
• Shawmut Design and ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021LEVER worked with Shawmut Design and Construction as general contractor for 843 N Spring Street mass timber project in Los Angeles.
• Atelier TenmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021LEVER partnered with Atelier Ten on mass timber expertise and carbon impact analysis, co-authoring white paper 'Mythbusting Mass Timber' to debunk common misconceptions.
• Sustainable NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020LEVER partnered with Sustainable Northwest to establish innovative wood sourcing criteria for Meyer Memorial Trust, developing sustainable procurement standards supporting equity and conservation goals.
• EcotrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020LEVER collaborated with Ecotrust on Forest to Frame research tool, developing web-based platform to increase transparency in wood supply chain for architects and builders.
• Langley Investment PartnerscoreOthers · 1 January 2019LEVER worked with Langley Investment Partners on Redfox Commons adaptive reuse project, transforming WWII-era warehouses using salvaged timber from the existing structures.
• R&H ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019LEVER collaborated with R&H Construction on Redfox Commons adaptive reuse project, where contractor helped deconstruct and salvage heavy timber from existing warehouses for repurposing.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019LEVER designed Oregon Conservation Center for The Nature Conservancy, pioneering sustainable wood sourcing from TNC's own conservation sites including Juniper Hills Preserve and Ellsworth Creek Preserve.
• Sustainable Northwest WoodcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Partnership with Sustainable Northwest Wood for sourcing FSC-certified timber products and restoration wood from conservation projects, used in Oregon Conservation Center and other projects.
• Lease Crutcher LewiscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019LEVER worked with Lease Crutcher Lewis as general contractor for Oregon Conservation Center project, collaborating on sustainable construction methods.
• Project^majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019LEVER collaborated with Project^ (project management) on Oregon Conservation Center for design and construction coordination.
• University of OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with University of Oregon for post-occupancy indoor air quality and comfort study at Albina Yard, monitoring IEQ for over a year to understand impact of exposed wood structures.
• Freres LumbermajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Freres Lumber in Lyons, Oregon manufactured Mass Plywood Panels used in Meyer Memorial Trust headquarters and other LEVER projects, pioneering next-generation plywood materials.
• Oregon State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017LEVER partners with Oregon State University for structural testing of mass timber components, including CLT rocking wall tests, vibration testing, and fire testing for Framework and other projects.
• ArupcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017LEVER partnered with Arup for acoustic testing and engineering on Framework project, confirming airborne and impact sound isolation performance of CLT floor assemblies.
• StructureCraftcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Partnership with StructureCraft for mass timber fabrication and construction on Framework project, including acoustic testing and structural system development.
• PAE Consulting EngineersmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017LEVER worked with PAE Consulting Engineers on Framework and Sandy Pine projects for mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering and sustainability consulting.
• Walsh Construction CocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with Walsh Construction on mass timber fire testing for Framework project, conducting two-hour fire tests on timber connections for high-rise approval.
• US Forest Products LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with USDA Forest Products Laboratory for life cycle assessment research on Framework, evaluating carbon sequestration and environmental impact of mass timber construction.
• North Carolina State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaboration with NCSU for multi-year life cycle assessment research on Framework project, analyzing potential for wood buildings to sequester carbon and support forest communities.
• Home ForwardmajorOthers · 1 January 2017Framework project partnership with Home Forward, a housing authority providing affordable housing component of the mixed-use development.
• TimberlabmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017LEVER partnered with Timberlab for Sandy Pine project structural engineering, developing point-supported mass timber system for 12-story residential tower.
• SolTerracoreOthers · 1 January 2017Sandy Pine residential tower project partnership with SolTerra developer for 276-unit mass timber high-rise in Portland, OR.
• HolmesmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017LEVER collaborated with Holmes (seismic engineering) on Sandy Pine project for structural design of point-supported mass timber system.
• Humber Design GroupmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Partnership with Humber Design Group on Sandy Pine project for structural engineering support on innovative mass timber high-rise design.
• CutMyTimbercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016LEVER partnered with CutMyTimber in Portland, Oregon for precision CNC fabrication of glulam timber components. CutMyTimber used Hundegger K2 CNC joinery machines to mill timber to 1/8-inch tolerance using CAD/CAM software.
• DR Johnson Lumber CocoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016D.R. Johnson Lumber Co in Riddle, Oregon manufactured and prefabricated all CLT panels and glulam timber frame components for Albina Yard, the first US building made from domestically-produced CLT.
• KPFF Consulting EngineerscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016LEVER collaborated with KPFF on structural engineering for mass timber projects including Albina Yard and Framework, providing engineering expertise for innovative timber connections and structural systems.
• Portland State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership with Portland State University for full-scale seismic testing of mass timber connections and structural systems, validating design performance for Framework and industry-wide application.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HOK: Large global architecture firm with established sustainable design practice and corporate campus portfolio (including adidas competitor clients). Competes for the same enterprise HQ, institutional, and sustainability-driven projects as LEVER.
• Gensler: Largest U.S. architecture firm with deep corporate workplace and entertainment campus practices (NBCUniversal competitor/collaborator accounts). Competes for large enterprise commissions in the same sectors LEVER serves.
• Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with an active mass timber practice and significant institutional/commercial portfolio. Competes with LEVER for large enterprise and institutional commissions but operates at much larger scale and across many building types.
• SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill): Global AEC firm whose T3 mass timber office building line and tall wood initiatives are directly comparable to LEVER's mass timber authority. Operates across architecture, engineering, and interiors at enterprise scale that LEVER cannot match.

Others

• Thornton Tomasetti: Global structural engineering firm with significant timber expertise (T3 timber projects, tall wood research). Comparable as an enabling engineering partner/peer in the mass timber ecosystem, working with many of the same developers and architects LEVER engages.
• StructureCraft: Mass timber fabrication and engineering firm that has partnered with LEVER on Framework. Functions both as a collaborator and adjacent competitor in the mass timber delivery ecosystem, building proprietary timber systems for other architects.
• Atelier Ten: Environmental design consulting firm collaborating with LEVER on carbon impact analysis and the 'Mythbusting Mass Timber' white paper. Comparable as an enabling sustainability partner that often co-serves the same institutional and corporate clients.

Direct peers

• SHoP Architects: Design-driven architecture firm with comparable innovation culture and high-profile commercial/institutional portfolio (including tall building work). Comparable as a similarly-sized boutique firm pursuing technically ambitious projects.
• Michael Green Architecture: Vancouver-based architecture firm widely recognized as a global authority on tall mass timber design (T3 projects, Brock Commons). Directly comparable to LEVER as a boutique specialist firm pioneering mass timber high-rise architecture in North America.
• KieranTimberlake: Philadelphia-based architecture firm with comparable research-driven approach to high-performance building and mass timber expertise. Comparable as a similarly-sized design-research practice focused on innovation and sustainability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leverarc
• Facebookfacebook.com/LeverArchitecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lever-architecture
• Instagraminstagram.com/leverarchitecture

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LEVER Architecture