What TEA2 Architects does

TEA2 Architects is a Minneapolis-based residential architecture firm founded in 1979 (originally as TEA — Tom Ellison Architects) that designs custom homes, renovations, additions, and retreat/vacation properties for high-net-worth clients across North America. The firm operates with a team of approximately 20-21 professionals under Principal Dan Nepp, who joined in 1986 and became partner in 1996 when the firm rebranded as TEA2. It is structured as TEA2 Architects, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, with a wholly-owned affiliate, TEA2 Design, used to serve states where the firm has not pursued professional licensure. Architects on staff are licensed in 13 US states (Minnesota, Colorado, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, South Dakota).

The firm's core offering is full-service architectural design — site analysis, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid analysis, and construction review — delivered through a team model that pairs a Principal or Associate with a Project Manager on each engagement. TEA2 also offers abbreviated "Design Package" services for clients preferring limited scope. Its project portfolio spans 26 completed custom homes, 22 renovations, and 16 retreat/vacation home projects, with active in-progress work in Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida, Utah, and other states. The firm operates from Historic Fire Station 28 in Minneapolis's Linden Hills neighborhood, a National Register of Historic Places property that TEA2 acquired and restored in 1993.

TEA2 generates revenue through professional services fees on a project basis, with custom pricing tailored to individual project scope; fees are not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct: the firm engages HNW residential clients with no intermediaries, supported by a portfolio-driven website, quarterly newsletter, embedded project videos, client and contractor testimonials, and an extensive record of industry awards and publication features. The firm has accumulated two dozen AIA Minnesota/Star Tribune Home of the Month awards, two dozen RAVE awards, six BLEND awards, two Heritage Preservation awards, and 75+ publication features, with Architect of Distinction honors for both Dan Nepp (2008) and Tom Ellison (2010).

Name

TEA2 Architects

Legal name

TEA2 Architects, Inc.

Website

https://tea2architects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TEA2 Architects is a Minneapolis-based residential architecture firm founded in 1979 that designs custom homes, renovations, and retreat properties for high-net-worth clients across North America, delivered by a team of approximately 20-21 licensed professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Luxury Whole-Home Renovation (High-End Finishes & Custom Build) (HSAPAEAI)

Keywords

• Residential architecture services
• Custom home design
• Home renovation design
• Vacation home architecture
• Historic preservation architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Professional architectural services for custom homes and renovations, ranging from design-only packages to comprehensive full-service engagements from initial consultation through construction completion.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TEA2 Architects provides full-service residential architectural design for custom homes, renovations, and retreat/vacation properties. Services range from design-only packages to comprehensive engagements spanning site analysis, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid analysis, and construction review. The firm delivers bespoke designs without a fixed signature style, drawing from historical and modern sources, with detailed construction documentation that minimizes builder guesswork and change orders.

Product overview

TEA2 Architects is a residential architecture firm offering a unified suite of architectural design services centered on custom home design, renovation, and retreat property design. The core offering is full-service architectural design encompassing initial consultation, programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding, and construction oversight. Clients may also opt for tailored design packages providing abbreviated services. The firm's portfolio is organized into six distinct collections: Homes (26 completed custom residences), Renovations (22 completed projects), Retreats (16 vacation/retreat properties), Spaces (detailed room and architectural element showcases), Details (craftsmanship and materiality portfolios), and In Progress (current projects in development). An optional newsletter subscription provides quarterly firm updates. The service architecture combines comprehensive project management with flexible engagement models to accommodate varying client needs and budgets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Residential Architecture Services Full-service architectural design for custom homes, encompassing site analysis, schematic design, design development, construction documents, bid analysis, and construction review through project completion. Designed for affluent individual homeowners seeking bespoke residential architecture.
• Home Renovation Design Architectural design services for home renovation and remodeling projects, transforming existing spaces while maintaining architectural integrity. Includes period-appropriate renovations, additions, and historically-inspired designs. Targeted at homeowners seeking thoughtful renovation of existing residences.
• Retreat and Vacation Home Design Specialized architectural design for retreat properties, vacation homes, and second residences in various natural settings including lakes, mountains, and rural landscapes across North America. Targeted at affluent clients seeking elemental, nature-integrated retreat designs.
• Design Package Services Tailored design packages for clients who prefer abbreviated architectural services, delivering plans and design documentation without full-service oversight. Targeted at homeowners seeking plans-only deliverables rather than end-to-end project management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clients report being absolutely thrilled with their homes and appreciate them more with each passing year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SALA Architects: Minneapolis-based architecture firm with comparable size and focus on residential design, custom homes, and additions. Most directly comparable Twin Cities competitor with similar service model and market.
• LDa Architecture & Interiors: Massachusetts-based high-end residential architecture firm specializing in custom homes, renovations, and historic preservation with strong publication pedigree. Comparable in service breadth, project scale, and design-led brand positioning.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture and design firm recognized for custom residential work with publication-grade brand. Comparable as a peer in the high-end, award-driven residential segment.
• Ike Kligerman Barkley: New York-based high-end residential architecture firm with national reach, classical and traditional sensibilities, and strong press profile. Directly comparable in client type, fee structure, and design vocabulary.
• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: New York firm with signature residential portfolio spanning classical and traditional luxury homes. TEA2 Senior Project Manager Tom Van De Weghe is a former RAMSA employee, making this both a design peer and a known talent competitor.
• Neumann Monson Architects: Iowa City-based architecture firm of similar size focused on custom residential, education, and civic work. Comparable in scale, Midwestern roots, and design-forward residential practice.
• Mulfinger Susanka Architects: Minneapolis-based residential architecture firm founded by Dale Mulfinger, with explicit focus on homes that "celebrate the spirit of place." TEA2 Associate Emeritus Leffert Tigelaar interned here, and the firm shares TEA2's Twin Cities residential niche.
• BKSK Architects: New York-based firm with significant residential portfolio alongside civic and institutional work. Comparable in classical and contextual design language and custom-home practice at the high end.
• Harkness Architecture: Boutique residential architecture firm with publication-grade portfolio in custom and historic homes. Comparable in size, market positioning, and design-led residential focus.

Regional players

• Julie Snow Architects: Minneapolis-based firm with strong residential and civic portfolio; Tom Van De Weghe (TEA2 SPM) is a former employee. Comparable as a regional design peer with overlapping market in the Twin Cities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tea2architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 TEA2 Architects