What INVISION does

INVISION is a US architecture and design firm founded in 1914 in Iowa, operating as INVISION Architecture. The firm provides integrated planning, architecture, interior design, experiential graphic design and wayfinding, master planning, adaptive reuse and historic rehabilitation, bond referendum services, and data analytics to institutional and commercial clients. Its core go-to-market focuses on K-12 education, higher education, and health and wellness as primary verticals, with additional work in civic and community, corporate workplace, industrial and advanced technology, hospitality, housing, and sports and recreation sectors.

The firm employs a defined three-step methodology — Discovery, Strategy, and Implementation — and delivers services primarily through project-based fixed-fee professional services engagements. Clients include Iowa State University, Drake University, University of Northern Iowa, multiple community colleges and K-12 districts, UnityPoint Health, Waverly Health Center, MidAmerican Energy, Hawkeye Hotels, and municipal clients such as the City of Grimes. The firm pursues institutional clients through direct business development, repeat relationships, professional network referrals, and an active industry awards portfolio.

Since 2025, INVISION has executed an aggressive national expansion strategy through M&A: it acquired Macgregor Associates Architects (adding Atlanta and Dallas offices plus a 20-year Google data center program), united with Novus Architects and Springline Architects, and in March 2026 merged with GastingerWalker& to combine nearly 200 staff across Iowa, Missouri, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. INVISION operates as part of The HFW Companies Partner Network. Revenue is project-based professional services income and is not publicly disclosed.

Name

INVISION

Legal name

INVISION Architecture

Website

https://invisionarch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

INVISION is a 110-year-old US architecture and design firm providing planning, architecture, and interior design services to education, healthcare, civic, corporate, and industrial clients across five states. It expanded nationally through acquisitions and operates as part of The HFW Companies network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture and Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Wayfinding, Signage & Environmental Graphic Design (BPAHAKAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Exhibition, Retail & Experiential Design (BPAHAKAL), Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Architecture design services
• Interior design services
• Master planning services
• Historic building rehabilitation
• Bond referendum consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterloo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Professional services revenue generated through architecture, interior design, planning, and related design consulting services for institutional and commercial clients. Revenue is project-based, typically fixed-fee arrangements for design and implementation of construction projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

INVISION is a planning, architecture, and interiors firm delivering comprehensive architectural design, interior design, master planning, adaptive reuse and historic rehabilitation, experiential graphic design and wayfinding, data analytics, and bond referendum services for civic, commercial, healthcare, educational, hospitality, housing, and industrial clients. Projects are delivered through a three-step Discovery-Strategy-Implementation process across offices in Iowa, Missouri, Florida, Texas, and Georgia.

Product overview

INVISION is a planning, architecture, and interiors firm with over 110 years of experience, operating as a single unified service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The firm provides comprehensive design services including Architecture, Interior Design, Experiential Graphic Design & Wayfinding, Data Analytics, Master Planning, Adaptive Reuse & Historic Rehabilitation, and Bond Referendum Services. These services are delivered through a three-step methodology (Discovery, Strategy, Implementation) and serve diverse market sectors including Civic & Community, Corporate Workplace, Entertainment/Sports & Recreation, Health & Wellness, Higher Education, Hospitality, Housing, Industrial & Advanced Technology, and K-12 Education. The firm has expanded nationally through mergers including Macgregor Associates Architects (Atlanta, Dallas) and GastingerWalker& (effective March 2026).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Macgregor Associates Architects | An INVISION Studio: An acquired architecture firm specializing in office and industrial architecture, including logistics facilities, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and data centers. Offices in Atlanta and Dallas, Texas.

Products and services

• Architecture Services Comprehensive architectural design services for civic, commercial, healthcare, educational, and residential projects, following a Discovery-Strategy-Implementation process across all five stages of the design process.
• Interior Design Interior design services focused on creating impactful interior spaces that positively affect users from the moment they enter, delivered for institutional and commercial clients.
• Experiential Graphic Design & Wayfinding Design services for experiential graphics and wayfinding systems to enhance user navigation and brand experience across built environments.
• Data Analytics Data analytics services integrated into the design process to inform decision-making and optimize project outcomes for architecture clients.
• Master Planning Comprehensive master planning services for campuses and communities to guide long-term development and growth.
• Adaptive Reuse & Historic Rehabilitation Services for repurposing existing structures and restoring historic buildings while maintaining their character and heritage.
• Bond Referendum Services Support services for school districts and municipalities navigating bond referendum processes for facility projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hotel Fort Des Moines renovation completed with 290 renovated guest rooms on 9 floors totaling approximately 241,000 gross square feet
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GastingerWalker&coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Merger partnership combining two architecture firms under the INVISION brand. The merger brings together nearly 200 staff members and expands geographic reach across five US states. The unified firm will offer expanded capabilities in planning, architecture, and interiors with enhanced collaboration and resource sharing.
• The HFW CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe HFW Companies network facilitated the merger between INVISION and GastingerWalker&. The firm is part of the HFW Partner Network, a growing national network of architecture and engineering firms powered by HFW Companies, providing a full continuum of visionary, collaborative infrastructure design solutions.
• Macgregor Associates ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMacgregor Associates Architects (MAA) was acquired by INVISION in early 2025. MAA operates as 'An INVISION Studio' with offices in Atlanta and Dallas, Texas. MAA has built a national reputation for excellence in office and industrial architecture, specializing in logistics facilities, distribution and fulfillment centers, manufacturing facilities, and data centers. MAA developed a mission-critical program with Google over 20 years for data center design and development.
• YMCA of Greater Des MoinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization with which INVISION engages through pro bono services and community support activities.
• ACE Mentor ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVISION participates in the ACE Mentor Program, mentoring students interested in architecture and construction careers.
• AIA IowaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVISION maintains active membership and participation in the American Institute of Architects Iowa chapter, engaging in industry events and initiatives.
• Iowa State University College of DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVISION sponsors interdisciplinary design studios at Iowa State University College of Design, supporting architecture education.
• Cannon DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Cannon Design on the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center project, specifically using Cannon Design's Third Teacher program for programming.
• Curio Collection by HiltonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINVISION designed the renovation of Hotel Fort Des Moines as a Curio Collection by Hilton boutique hotel, working within brand standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DLR Group: Omaha-headquartered integrated architecture/engineering firm with comparable Midwest roots and strong K-12, higher education, healthcare, and civic portfolios. Most directly comparable U.S. architecture firm to INVISION by size, geography, and vertical mix.
• Cannon Design: National architecture firm with deep healthcare and education expertise. Already a documented INVISION partner on the Waukee Innovation & Learning Center, making it both a competitor and collaborator in the same verticals.
• Perkins&Will: Globally recognized architecture firm with marquee healthcare and higher education practices. Competes for the same institutional clients as INVISION but at significantly larger scale.
• SmithGroup: Integrated design firm with strong higher education, healthcare, and science & technology practices. Comparable service mix including interiors, master planning, and adaptive reuse.
• LEO A DALY: Omaha-headquartered architecture/engineering firm with national reach across healthcare, education, hospitality, and civic sectors. Direct peer given similar size, geography, and institutional focus.
• Legat Architects: Midwest-based architecture firm with strong K-12 and higher education practices. Closely comparable to INVISION by size, regional concentration, and educational vertical specialization.
• BNIM: Midwest architecture and design firm known for sustainability leadership and K-12/higher education work. Comparable in regional footprint and commitment to sustainable, high-design institutional projects.
• Flad Architects: Madison, WI-based architecture firm specializing in science/technology, healthcare, and higher education. Comparable Midwest origin and similar institutional client mix to INVISION.

Broad incumbents

• HOK: One of the largest U.S. architecture/engineering firms with leading healthcare, education, and sports practices. Represents the scaled-incumbent competitive threat INVISION faces on larger institutional pursuits.
• HDR Inc. Omaha-based architecture/engineering/consulting giant with substantial healthcare, education, and civic practices. Comparable Midwest origin and overlapping client base to INVISION.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/invisionarch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/invision-architecture_2
• Instagraminstagram.com/invisionarchitecture
• Xx.com/invisionarch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A3 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about INVISION