Bora Architects
Bora Architecture & Interiors is a Portland, Oregon-based architecture firm founded in 1960 with approximately 100 staff, providing sustainable architectural and interior design services across K-12, higher education, arts and culture, affordable housing, and commercial sectors for institutional and corporate clients throughout the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bora Architects does
Bora Architecture & Interiors is a privately held, full-service architecture and interiors firm founded in 1960 (originally as BOORA) and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, with a staff of approximately 100 professionals. The firm operates across five primary practice areas — K-12 education, higher education, arts and culture, affordable housing, and commercial/workplace — supplemented by specialized Branding + Environmental Graphic Design (EGD), Interior Design, and Sustainability Consulting services. Its project portfolio spans at least nine US states (Oregon, Texas, Florida, California, Washington, Virginia, Michigan, Arkansas, New Hampshire) and includes civic and cultural landmarks, performing arts centers, K-12 modernizations, university facilities, and corporate workplaces for clients including Portland Public Schools, Portland State University, Portland Community College, Multnomah County Library, Adidas, Airbnb, and Absci Biotechnology.
Bora's technical differentiators are concentrated in measurable sustainable design: portfolio energy reductions averaging 54% in 2023 with select projects exceeding 80% reduction; leadership in mass timber construction (two-thirds of projects structured in responsibly harvested wood, including cross-laminated timber); healthy materials research informed by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative; and trauma-informed and Design Justice–led community engagement practices (notably in partnership with Colloqate Design). The firm's own studio at Volta, a 1940s electrical warehouse adaptive-reuse project, achieved LEED Platinum core-and-shell certification and is pursuing Net Zero Carbon certification with a projected net EUI of -0.9 kBtu/sf/year.
Bora generates revenue through project-based professional services fees earned via competitive RFP/RFQ processes and direct commissions across institutional, public-sector, and corporate clients. Work is awarded through design competitions and direct engagement; specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed. The firm markets primarily through industry awards, architectural publications, professional conferences, and a sustained AIA/IIDA recognition record. Bora is independently owned by its principals (Amy Donohue, John O'Toole as Managing Principal, Stefee Knudsen, Jeanie Lai, Michael Tingley, Brian Squillace, and Robert Điệp Hoàng), with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent-company backing.
Bora Architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bora Architects
- Legal name
- Bora Architecture & Interiors
- Website
- https://bora.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Bora Architecture & Interiors is a Portland, Oregon-based architecture firm founded in 1960 with approximately 100 staff, providing sustainable architectural and interior design services across K-12, higher education, arts and culture, affordable housing, and commercial sectors for institutional and corporate clients throughout the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bora Architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Design Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)
Keywords
Where Bora Architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bora Architects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Architecture and Design Services: Bora generates revenue through project-based fees for architectural design, interior design, and consulting services across K-12 education, higher education, arts and culture, affordable housing, commercial, and workplace sectors. Projects range from small renovations to large-scale new construction.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Architecture services for various project types and scales |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Bora Architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bora Architecture & Interiors is a full-service architecture and interior design firm providing project-based design services across five primary practice areas: Arts & Culture, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Commercial & Workplace, and Housing. The firm also offers specialized Branding & Environmental Graphic Design (EGD), Interior Design, and Sustainability Consulting services, with particular expertise in sustainable design, mass timber construction, and equity-centered community engagement.
Product overview
Bora Architecture & Interiors is a full-service architecture and interior design firm offering a unified portfolio of design services. The core offerings span five primary practice areas — Arts & Culture, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Commercial & Workplace, and Housing — supplemented by specialized Branding & Environmental Graphic Design (EGD), Interior Design, and Sustainability Consulting services. Projects range from large civic and cultural institutions (African American Museum & Research Library, performing arts centers) to workplace interiors, zero-energy K-12 schools, and affordable housing redevelopments. The firm also maintains the Bora Beach House as an employee amenity. The firm does not offer a software product; all output is project-based design services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Arts & Culture Architecture Design services for museums, libraries, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, including the African American Museum & Research Library, performing arts centers, and museum expansions. Clients include cultural institutions and public agencies.
- Higher Education Architecture Design of university and college facilities including science centers, music schools, classroom buildings, performing arts centers, and campus-wide renovations for institutions such as Portland State University, University of Florida, Texas Christian University, and Texas A&M.
- K-12 Education Architecture Design of elementary, middle, and high schools including modernization projects, teen parent centers, and zero-energy school buildings for districts across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
- Commercial & Workplace Architecture Design of corporate offices, tech workplaces, and commercial interiors including adaptive reuse projects, LEED-certified workspaces, and urban food halls for clients such as Adidas, Airbnb, and Absci Biotechnology.
- Housing Architecture Design of affordable and multi-family housing, including community redevelopments and workforce housing projects such as Peaceful Villa and Dartmouth Crossing.
- Branding + Environmental Graphic Design (EGD) Experiential graphic design and branding services integrated into architectural projects, including feature walls, wayfinding systems, and donor recognition installations for institutional and cultural clients.
- Sustainability Consulting
Quantifiable outcome
- Portfolio achieved 54% energy reduction in 2023, with select projects reaching 80%+ reduction
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Bora Architects
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bora Architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Bora Architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- STORYN Studio for ArchitectureflagshipLead design collaborator with Bora on the African American Museum & Research Library project in West Palm Beach, Florida. STORYN Studio, led by Founder and Principal Everald Colas, brings local architectural expertise to the project.
- Hood Design StudiocoreLandscape architecture and placemaking partner for the African American Museum & Research Library project. Contributes expertise in creating meaningful outdoor spaces that connect to community heritage.
- Local ProjectscoreExhibit design partner for the African American Museum & Research Library, bringing expertise in creating engaging museum experiences and visitor interactions.
- Dr. Nashid S. MadyuncoreStorytelling consultant for the African American Museum & Research Library, contributing expertise in oral history and community narrative preservation.
- Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin CountiesflagshipProject client and community partner leading fundraising and community engagement for the African American Museum & Research Library. Working with Bora and collaborators to realize the community's vision.
- LEVER ArchitecturecoreCo-design partner on Jefferson High School modernization project for Portland Public Schools, bringing collaborative design expertise to the community-centered project.
- DAO ArchitecturecoreCollaborating firm on Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus $85 million CTE building project, bringing additional expertise to the design team.
- Curious ArchitectscoreCollaborating firm on Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus project, contributing specialized expertise to the design team.
- Walker MacycoreLandscape architecture partner on Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus project, providing site and landscape design expertise.
- Colloqate DesigncoreDesign justice advocacy and organizing partner on PCC Opportunity Center project. Developed community engagement approach guided by Critical Race Spatial Lens.
- Killian PacificcoreDeveloper/owner of Volta building where Bora's studio is located. Partnership on adaptive reuse project creating core-and-shell renovation with sustainable design.
- The Shalleck CollaborativecoreTheater consultant and design partner on Portland State University Lincoln Hall renovation and expansion, bringing specialized performing arts venue expertise.
- Turner ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor for Volta core and shell renovation, executing construction of the sustainable adaptive reuse project.
- Fortis ConstructioncoreGeneral contractor for Volta tenant improvement, executing Bora's studio build-out with sustainable materials and design.
- National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)corePartnered with NAMC to award nearly 60% of Volta construction costs to underrepresented companies, supporting equity goals.
- Walker ArchitectsflagshipAssociate architect on University of Florida School of Music project, bringing local Gainesville expertise alongside Bora's design leadership.
- ColloqatecoreDesign architect and engagement lead on Midland Library renovation and expansion, bringing community-centered design approach to East Portland project.
- Lango HansencoreStructural engineer on Vernonia K-12 School, contributing to sustainable design of the resilient, LEED Platinum certified school.
- Green Building ServicescoreSustainability consultant on Vernonia K-12 School, supporting LEED Platinum certification and sustainable design goals.
- Brightworks SustainabilitycoreSustainability consultant on Volta studio project, supporting Net Zero Carbon certification goals.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bora Architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- SHoP Architects: Design-led architecture firm with strong cultural, educational, and large-scale mixed-use portfolio. Comparable to Bora on design ambition and award-winning cultural institution work, but with larger scale and East Coast base.
Direct peers
- SRG Partnership: Portland-headquartered architecture firm with similar size, integrated practice model, and overlapping education and civic client base in the Pacific Northwest. Directly competes for the same regional institutional RFPs.
- Mithun: Seattle-based integrated design firm with comparable size and similar mission-driven focus on sustainability, education, and community-centered design. Overlapping practice areas in K-12, higher education, and cultural institutions with comparable values-driven positioning.
- Allied Works Architecture: Portland-based architecture practice with comparable size and design excellence reputation. Overlaps with Bora on cultural institutions, higher education, and select residential/commercial commissions in the Pacific Northwest market.
- Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture and design firm with similar design-excellence positioning, comparable size, and overlapping cultural and residential client work. Comparable on premium design positioning and award-winning portfolio.
- ZGF Architects: Portland-headquartered architecture firm of comparable size with similar sustainability-led, integrated design practice across education, civic, healthcare, and workplace sectors. Strongest direct peer given shared Pacific Northwest origin, institutional client base, and sustainability positioning.
- LEVER Architecture: Portland-based architecture firm specializing in mass timber and sustainable design. Directly comparable to Bora on mass timber expertise and Pacific Northwest institutional clients; actively partners with Bora on Jefferson High School.
Broad incumbents
- Gensler: Largest global architecture and design firm with extensive workplace, education, and cultural practices. Competes with Bora on corporate workplace and large institutional commissions but operates at vastly greater scale and scope.
- HOK: Global architecture, engineering, and planning firm with major education, healthcare, and cultural institution practices. Competes for the largest commissions Bora pursues and offers broader integrated services at significantly larger scale.
- Perkins&Will: Large global architecture practice with deep sustainability practice and significant education, healthcare, and cultural institution portfolios. Competes with Bora on larger institutional commissions but at materially greater scale and geographic breadth.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bora Architects social profiles
Digital presenceBora Architects compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
Bora Architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bora Architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Bora Architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bora 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 Bora Architects
What does Bora Architects do?
Bora Architecture & Interiors is a full-service architecture and interior design firm providing project-based design services across five primary practice areas: Arts & Culture, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Commercial & Workplace, and Housing. The firm also offers specialized Branding & Environmental Graphic Design (EGD), Interior Design, and Sustainability Consulting services, with particular expertise in sustainable design, mass timber construction, and equity-centered community engagement.
Is Bora Architects a public or private company?
Bora Architects is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Bora Architects founded?
Bora Architects was founded in 1960. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Bora Architects based?
Bora Architects is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bora Architects make money?
One revenue line is on record: architecture and Design Services.
Who are Bora Architects's main competitors?
SHoP Architects is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are SRG Partnership, Mithun, Allied Works Architecture, Olson Kundig, ZGF Architects and LEVER Architecture. Broad incumbents are Gensler, HOK and Perkins&Will.
Does Bora Architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bora Architects.
What industry is Bora Architects in?
Bora Architects's product category is Architectural Design 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.