What Generator Studio does

Generator Studio is a Kansas City-based, full-service architecture and interior design firm founded in 2011 by Tom Proebstle and Mike Kress. The studio employs approximately 30 architects, interior designers, and graphic designers organized across five practice verticals: Venue (sports and entertainment venues), Lifestyle/Hospitality, Residential, Nonprofit, and Workplace. Revenue derives from professional services fees—architect-of-record and interior design engagements across all major North American professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, NWSL, MLS) plus NCAA sports, boutique hospitality brands, high-end custom residential, nonprofit and community organizations, and corporate workplaces.

Core technology centers on Building Information Modeling (BIM), AI-assisted design tooling applied by the firm's Digital Design and Technical Lead, and a hospitality-driven design methodology developed and refined across the studio's portfolio since 2011. Notable technical achievements include the KC Current Training Facility—the first professional sports training facility built with cross-laminated timber (CLT) mass timber construction, achieving 50-60% lower embodied carbon than conventional methods—and CPKC Stadium (opened March 2024), the first stadium purpose-built for a women's professional sports team and the first LEED Gold-certified professional women's sports stadium in Missouri.

The business model is project-based professional services with repeat-client economics central to growth. Marquee clients include the Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, Houston Rockets (NBA) and Houston Comets (WNBA), Kansas City Current, St. Louis Blues, Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Public Schools, Live Nation, and Margaritaville. Geographic footprint spans the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Texas, Alabama, and select international engagements (Wellington, New Zealand memorial). The firm operates as a sales-led and event-driven go-to-market, with growth fueled by repeat business and local and national referrals; recognition includes Sports Business Journal Best Places to Work in Sports (winner 2023, finalist 2025), Front Office Sports Best Employer in Sports (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), AIA Kansas City Firm Award (2022), TIME Magazine World's Greatest Places 2024 (CPKC Stadium), and three consecutive years on the Kansas City Business Journal Fast 50 (2023-2025).

Name

Generator Studio

Legal name

Generator Studio, LLC

Website

https://generatorstudio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Generator Studio is a Kansas City-based architecture and interior design firm founded in 2011 that delivers hospitality-driven venue, hospitality, residential, nonprofit, and workplace design for professional sports franchises and enterprise clients across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural and Interior Design Services

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Architecture services
• Interior design
• Sports venue design
• Hospitality design
• Commercial workplace design

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Interior Design Professional Services: Generator Studio generates revenue by providing full-service architecture and interior design services across sports venues, hospitality, residential, nonprofit, and workplace sectors. Revenue is derived from professional service fees, likely hourly billing or fixed project fees for design, construction documents, and construction administration services. Repeat clients are central to the business model, with sports franchises and hospitality operators representing recurring engagements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Generator Studio is a full-service architecture and interior design firm providing design services across five verticals: Venue (sports and entertainment facilities such as stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, ice centers, and training facilities), Lifestyle/Hospitality (boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, and hotel amenity spaces), Residential (high-end custom homes and renovations), Nonprofit (community-serving facilities), and Workplace (corporate offices). The firm provides end-to-end design services from concept and brand integration through construction documentation and construction administration, with deep expertise in applying a hospitality-driven design philosophy to every project type.

Product overview

Generator Studio is a full-service architecture and interior design firm based in Kansas City that offers specialized design services across five core verticals: Venue (sports and entertainment venues including stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, and training facilities), Lifestyle/Hospitality (boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, and hotel amenity spaces), Residential (high-end custom homes and renovations), Nonprofit (facilities for community organizations), and Workplace (corporate offices and commercial spaces). The firm's notable projects include CPKC Stadium (the world's first stadium built for a professional women's sports team), Toyota Center Reimagined, Blackhawks Ice Center, Kraken Community Iceplex, Morton's Amphitheater, Coca-Cola Amphitheater, Memorial Stadium redevelopment, and Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City. Generator Studio's hospitality-driven design philosophy emphasizes placemaking and storytelling across all project types.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Venue Design Services Full-service architecture and interior design for sports and entertainment venues, delivered for teams and venue operators seeking differentiated design with branding rooted in architecture and revenue-driving fan experiences. Service scope spans concept, design development, construction documents, and construction administration across projects including CPKC Stadium, Toyota Center Reimagined, Blackhawks Ice Center, and Kraken Community Iceplex.
• Lifestyle/Hospitality Design Services Architecture and interior design for hospitality brands and operators, covering boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, and hotel amenity spaces. Led by Director of Interior Design Christina Franklin with over a decade of experience designing for dozens of brands under Pacifica Hotels' portfolio. Recent engagements include Margaritaville Hotel Kansas City and Tom's Watch Bar.
• Residential Design Services Bespoke architecture and interior design for high-end residential clients, from ground-up homes to transformative renovations, pool houses, courtyard homes, lofts, and multi-generational residences that reflect and elevate everyday living.
• Nonprofit Design Services Full-service architecture and interior design for nonprofit organizations, community facilities, advocacy organizations, early education centers, and institutional/memorial projects. Emphasizes accessible, trauma-informed, survivor-centric design within constrained nonprofit budgets.
• Workplace Design Services Architecture and interior design for corporate workplaces, headquarters, mixed-use commercial destinations, and tenant fit-outs. Includes an immersive advisory approach diving into client business models, growth strategies, branding, and marketing strategies to deliver workplace design that improves employee retention, corporate identity, efficiency, and ROI.

Quantifiable outcome

• CPKC Stadium is the first LEED Gold-certified professional women's sports stadium and first LEED Gold-certified stadium in Missouri
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Margaritaville (Global Hospitality Brand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio partnered with Margaritaville to bring the laidback luxury hotel concept to Kansas City, Kansas (228-key, 198,000 SF). Generator worked closely with Margaritaville's Brand Interior Designer to ensure exterior and interiors felt genuine to the Midwest location while maintaining global brand standards. The project won the 2026 Kansas City Business Journal Capstone Award.
• City of KirklandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle Kraken and City of Kirkland partnered to develop the Kraken Iceplex & Community Center (109,000 SF, opening Fall 2027). Generator Studio served as Architect of Record. The partnership transforms a former park-and-ride site into a vibrant community third place combining two ice rinks, a community center, and a neighborhood restaurant.
• Seattle Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio was selected as Architect of Record and Design Lead for the Memorial Stadium redevelopment in partnership with Seattle Public Schools, the City of Seattle, and One Roof Stadium Partnership. The $140 million project reimagines the historic stadium as a modern 6,500-8,000 seat multipurpose venue at Seattle Center dedicated to supporting Seattle's students.
• City of SeattlecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Seattle is a key partner in the Memorial Stadium redevelopment project ($140M), collaborating with Generator Studio, Seattle Public Schools, and One Roof Stadium Partnership to create a community venue integrated into the Seattle Center campus.
• One Roof Stadium Partnership (Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, One Roof Foundation consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Roof Stadium Partnership—a consortium of the Seattle Kraken, Climate Pledge Arena, and One Roof Foundation—is a key development partner on the Memorial Stadium redevelopment project. Generator Studio serves as Architect of Record in collaboration with this consortium and Seattle Public Schools.
• 3D DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio is working with 3D Development on the Grand Place project—the historic Kansas City Star building renovation into a mixed-use destination encompassing an entire city block. Generator is creating a best-in-class destination in partnership with the developer.
• LANE4 Property GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio has partnered multiple times with LANE4 Property Group on retail and shopping center renovations including Corinth Square (308,000 SF renovation) and Red Bridge Shopping Center ($18.9 million renovation).
• Live NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio served as Architect of Record and Interior Designer for Morton Amphitheater (Riverside, MO; 16,000-capacity, opened June 1, 2026) and Coca-Cola Amphitheater (Birmingham, AL; 9,300-max capacity, opened June 2025) in partnership with Live Nation. Generator works with Live Nation's Blueprint Studio to align design with venue standards.
• Barclays Center / Brooklyn Sports & EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio completed multiple projects at Barclays Center including the WNBA New York Liberty Locker Room renovation, Brooklyn Nets Locker Room renovation, and Barclays Center Retail team store. These projects demonstrate a sustained partnership delivering high-end sports facility improvements.
• One Off Hospitality (Chicago)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Off Hospitality—a Chicago hospitality group with 12 James Beard Award-winning restaurants—provided curated food and beverage offerings at Blackhawks Ice Center, including Rocky's Table & Tap (tribute to late Chairman Rocky Wirtz) and Raise the Cup Café.
• University of Kansas Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Kansas Health System Training Center (Kansas City Current Training Facility) represents a partnership between the NWSL's Kansas City Current and the University of Kansas Health System for sports medicine and healthcare services integrated into the facility's player health program.
• Chicago SteelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Steel—the region's United States Hockey League (USHL) team—became the permanent home tenant at the expanded Blackhawks Ice Center, with the 2,000-seat USG Arena designed with stadium-style seating, hospitality areas, center-hung scoreboard, and video ribbon boards.
• The Netherlands National Football TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Netherlands National Team selected the KC Current Training Facility as their home base and official team headquarters throughout their tournament run. The 17,000 SF (original figure; project page notes 17,600 SF) facility served as the Netherlands' home during their tournament participation.
• Belgium National TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse (Sounders FC Center) was selected as the Belgian National Team's home base for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with all three group stage matches on the West Coast.
• Kansas City StreetcarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Refinery multi-family development (152,000 SF, 147 units) is situated along the Kansas City Streetcar route in the Crossroads Arts District, with primary building entry and retail space along the streetcar line, deeply integrating the project into the urban transit network.
• Milhaus (Indianapolis-based Developer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilhaus partnered with UC-B Properties to revitalize a large parcel south of Crown Center into a 361-unit multi-family complex. Generator Studio served as Interior Designer for the Gallerie project, joining HOK (master planner and landscape architect) and Dwell Design Studio (architect of record).
• Ferguson PropertiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerguson Properties developed the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Leavenworth, KS (50,000 SF new construction, 90-key hotel). Generator Studio was retained to site-adapt Marriott's Gen4 prototype for the project.
• American Battle Monuments CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerator Studio was one of four firms selected by the American Battle Monuments Commission to develop design concepts for a new U.S. memorial at New Zealand's historic War Memorial Park. The design focuses on World War II, celebrating the 100-year alliance between the United States of America and New Zealand.
• Venture General Contracting and Tunista ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGenerator worked with Salmon-Safe Large-Scale Construction Management Accredited contractors Venture General Contracting and Tunista Construction for the Sounders FC Center to meet Salmon-Safe certification requirements.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rossetti: Detroit-based architecture firm known for Quicken Loans Arena/Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and other NBA/NHL venues. Direct competitor in the U.S. pro-sports architecture space.
• Crawford Architects: Predecessor firm where both Generator founders worked (Tom Proebstle was Founding Partner and Design Director). Operates in the same sports/large-venue niche with shared methodology.
• EwingCole: Philadelphia-based architecture firm with a strong sports + hospitality portfolio (Lincoln Financial Field renovations, MSG, college venues). Comparable boutique-to-mid-tier sports practice.
• Cushing Terrell: Multi-disciplinary design firm with sports, hospitality, and interiors practices similar in scale and orientation. Competes for mid-market venue and hospitality commissions.
• Manica Architecture: Sports-focused architecture firm behind Allegiant Stadium, Climate Pledge Arena, and multiple MLS venues. Direct competitor for NFL/MLS/NHL commissions at the upper end of the venue market.

Emerging players

• SHoP Architects: New York-based design firm with growing sports venue practice (Barclays Center updates, climate-focused arena work). Comparable cross-disciplinary boutique competing for the same high-profile venue commissions.

Broad incumbents

• Populous: The dominant global sports architecture firm (formerly HOK Sport), designer of Wembley, Tottenham, Yankee Stadium, and most major MLB/NFL venues. Direct competitor for the same league-anchor RFPs Generator pursues.
• HOK (Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum): Large global AEC firm with a dedicated Sports & Entertainment practice. Competes for arena and stadium commissions and is named alongside Populous on marquee venue pursuits.
• HKS: Dallas-based architecture firm known for AT&T Stadium, US Bank Stadium, and SoFi Stadium design involvement. A frequent peer on NFL and MLS venue RFPs in the same market.
• AECOM (Ellerbe Becket legacy): Parent of the Ellerbe Becket practice where Proebstle and Kress trained. Competes for the same major sports venue design commissions at global scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/generatorstudio
• Instagraminstagram.com/generatorstudio
• Xx.com/GeneratorStudio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Generator Studio