CGS Architects
CGS Architects is a Washington, DC-based architectural firm founded in 1981 specializing in institutional architecture for K-12, higher education, religious, and civic clients. The firm delivers new construction, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, master planning, and interior design services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CGS Architects does
CGS Architects is a Washington, DC-based architectural firm founded in 1981 (formerly operating as Cox Graae + Spack) that specializes in institutional architecture, with a primary focus on K-12 and higher education facilities and supplementary work in religious, civic, and historic preservation projects. The firm provides a full suite of architectural services including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, interior design, master planning, and programming, with project construction values ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to over $100 million. The practice employs more than 30 professionals and has accumulated over 75 design awards over its operating history, reflecting deep domain expertise and a strong reputation in the DC institutional market.
The firm's underlying technology stack is built on Graphisoft's ArchiCAD BIM platform, an industry-standard Building Information Modeling tool used for design coordination, documentation, and visualization. CGS also maintains a DC Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) certification with 10 preference points, providing a regulatory and procurement advantage in DC public-sector work. The firm has cultivated multi-decade client relationships — notably with Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School for nearly 30 years — and maintains a client base that spans public institutions, private schools, and religious organizations across the DC metro area and into Virginia and Maryland.
Revenue is generated through traditional professional services fees structured as a percentage of construction cost, billed on a project-by-project basis. The firm has invested in leadership development and external visibility through promotions (Ed Foley to Principal, Fijoy Fisiy to Associate), AIA College of Fellows elevation of Joanna Schmickel, and partnerships including a Graphisoft international showcase and community engagement with Martha's Table and AIA|DC.
CGS Architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CGS Architects
- Legal name
- CGS Architects
- Website
- https://cgsarchitects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CGS Architects is a Washington, DC-based architectural firm founded in 1981 specializing in institutional architecture for K-12, higher education, religious, and civic clients. The firm delivers new construction, historic preservation, adaptive reuse, master planning, and interior design services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CGS Architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Specialty Education Facilities Construction (Labs, STEM, CTE Shops, Arts, Athletics) (EDAEABAI)
Keywords
Where CGS Architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CGS Architects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: CGS Architects generates revenue through architectural design services for institutional clients. Projects range from several hundred thousand dollars to over one hundred million dollars in construction value. The firm provides services including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, additions, renovations, interior design, master planning, and programming services, typically billed as fixed fees or percentage of construction costs depending on project scope and client arrangement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing for architectural services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
CGS Architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CGS Architects provides full-service architectural design for institutional and educational facilities, including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, additions, and renovations. The firm also offers interior design, master planning, and pre-design programming services, primarily for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, religious congregations, and civic/public facilities in the DC Metropolitan area.
Product overview
CGS Architects is a design-oriented architectural firm offering a unified portfolio of services for institutional and educational facilities. Their core offering encompasses architectural design (new construction, adaptive re-use, historic preservation, additions, renovations), interior design, master planning, and programming services. Additional specialized services include public approvals processing, FF&E procurement, and site design. The firm's practice is primarily focused on institutional projects for owner-occupied facilities, including K-12 and higher education institutions, religious facilities, libraries, recreation centers, and civic buildings. The company operates from Washington DC and serves the metropolitan area with over 75 local, regional, and national design awards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services Full-service architectural design including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, additions, and renovations for educational, institutional, and civic facilities.
- Interior Design Interior architecture and design services integrated with architectural projects to create cohesive interior environments.
- Master Planning Comprehensive campus and facility master planning services to develop long-range vision and strategic growth templates.
- Programming Services Pre-design programming services to establish project requirements, space needs, and functional requirements for institutional clients.
- Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Services Specialized services for historic preservation, adaptive reuse, additions, and renovations, particularly for institutional clients including schools, religious facilities, and civic buildings.
- LEED-Certified Sustainable Design Services Sustainable design services delivered across educational and civic buildings, with project experience earning LEED Platinum, Gold, and Silver certifications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 75 local, regional, and national design awards earned by the firm
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CGS Architects
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CGS Architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CGS Architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Martha's TablecoreCGS Architects partners with Martha's Table through monthly Third Thursday Volunteering program. CGS staff volunteer for Joyful Grocery Bagging to provide healthy foods to those in need. The firm also designed the Commons at Stanton Square which houses Martha's Table programs. The partnership began in 2018 with the building completion and continues through volunteer engagement.
- Capital Area Food BankminorCGS Architects participates in annual CANstruction competitions benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank. In 2022, the team won 'Best Stadium/Arena' out of 38 teams, donating 2,070 cans of food. CANstruction is organized by the Washington Architectural Foundation.
- GraphisoftcoreGraphisoft is the BIM software provider used by CGS Architects for all project design and documentation. The Duke Ellington School of the Arts was chosen as a Graphisoft International Showcase Project in September 2021, featured in their global marketing campaign. This partnership highlights CGS's advanced BIM capabilities.
- DC Department of Small and Local Business DevelopmentcoreCGS Architects is a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) with the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development, qualifying for 10 preference points in DC government procurement.
- Donohoe Construction CompanycoreGeneral contractor for Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School's Berchmans Hall project. Donohoe is a regional construction firm that has worked with CGS on multiple educational and institutional projects.
- Setty & AssociatescoreMEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) engineering firm for Berchmans Hall project at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School.
- Linton EngineeringcoreStructural engineering firm for Berchmans Hall STEM Center project at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School.
- AMT EngineeringminorCivil engineering firm for Berchmans Hall project, providing site and civil design services.
- Brian J. Stephenson + CompanyminorLandscape architecture firm for Berchmans Hall project at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School.
- Diversified Educational SystemsminorMillwork provider for Berchmans Hall project providing custom educational furniture and cabinetry.
- Price ModernminorFF&E (Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment) provider for Berchmans Hall project at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School.
- Marvin J PerryminorFF&E provider for Berchmans Hall project at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School.
- AIA|DC (American Institute of Architects | DC Chapter)coreCGS Architects works closely with AIA|DC through multiple initiatives including Joanna Schmickel's creation and leadership of the Design Like a Girl Mentorship Program, youth workshops with the Washington Architectural Foundation, and staff serving on the AIA|DC Chapter Board of Directors. Principal Joanna Schmickel was elevated into the AIA College of Fellows in 2022.
- Washington Architectural FoundationcorePartner organization through which CGS architects conduct youth workshops (Architecture in the Schools) and the Archi-Builder Studio program. CGS principal Joanna Schmickel created the Design Like a Girl Mentorship Program in partnership with AIA|DC, introducing middle school girls to architecture and STEM fields.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CGS Architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hord Coplan Macht: Mid-Atlantic architecture firm with strong K-12, higher education, and civic practice. Direct competitor for institutional commissions in the DC/VA/MD region, with similar firm size and service offerings.
- EwingCole: Philadelphia-based architecture and engineering firm with significant K-12, higher education, and civic practice, often competing in DC-region institutional work. Similar firm size and integrated services profile.
- Quinn Evans: Mid-sized architecture firm with strong historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and institutional K-12/higher education focus across the Mid-Atlantic. Direct competitor in the same niche as CGS, with comparable LEED-certified sustainable design expertise.
- Hickok Cole: DC-headquartered architecture and interior design firm with strong institutional, education, and civic portfolio. Local market peer competing for similar relationship-driven commissions in the DC Metro area.
- Bowie Gridley Architects: DC-headquartered architecture firm focused on institutional, civic, and educational facilities in the Mid-Atlantic. Direct local peer with comparable service offerings and client base.
- WGM Architects: DC-area architecture firm with strong K-12, higher education, and institutional portfolio. Direct regional competitor with similar size, market focus, and service profile to CGS.
Broad incumbents
- Stantec: Global design and engineering firm with established education and civic architecture practice in the DC region. Competes with CGS for institutional modernization RFPs with much larger bench and integrated engineering capabilities.
- Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with significant K-12 and higher education practice, including a DC studio. Competes for the same institutional modernization work as CGS but operates at a much larger scale with multidisciplinary service lines.
- DLR Group: Large integrated design firm with significant K-12 and higher education practice, including DC-area presence. Competes for the same institutional modernization work with greater geographic reach and multidisciplinary capacity.
- CannonDesign: National design firm with deep education sector expertise (K-12 and higher ed), offering integrated architecture, engineering, and planning services. Overlaps with CGS in institutional modernization competitions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CGS Architects social profiles
Digital presenceCGS Architects compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance18 records
CGS Architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CGS Architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
CGS Architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CGS Architects 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 CGS Architects
What does CGS Architects do?
CGS Architects provides full-service architectural design for institutional and educational facilities, including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, additions, and renovations. The firm also offers interior design, master planning, and pre-design programming services, primarily for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, religious congregations, and civic/public facilities in the DC Metropolitan area.
Is CGS Architects a public or private company?
CGS Architects is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CGS Architects founded?
CGS Architects was founded in 1981. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CGS Architects based?
CGS Architects is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does CGS Architects make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Design Services.
Who are CGS Architects's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hord Coplan Macht, EwingCole, Quinn Evans, Hickok Cole, Bowie Gridley Architects and WGM Architects. Broad incumbents are Stantec, Perkins&Will, DLR Group and CannonDesign.
Does CGS Architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for CGS Architects.
What industry is CGS Architects in?
CGS Architects's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services. Its NAICS code is 54131.