The Kubala Washatko Architects

What The Kubala Washatko Architects does

The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) is a full-service architecture, planning, and interior design studio founded in 1996, headquartered in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, with additional offices in Milwaukee and Seattle (Renton, WA). The firm operates across nine primary use-case segments — Cultural and Institutional, Hospitality and Food & Beverage, Residential, Education, Workplace and Corporate, Public Realm and Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, Religious, and Camps — serving a mix of enterprise clients (Harley-Davidson, Fastenal, Marquette University, Hotel Verdant/Charmant), mid-market businesses (Lakefront Brewery, Garver Feed Mill, La Crosse Distilling, Colectivo Coffee), and non-profit institutions (Aldo Leopold Foundation, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Urban Ecology Center, Write On Door County). Notable project scale includes a 250,000 sf multi-phase Harley-Davidson corporate campus, a 110,000 sf Fastenal headquarters, an 84-room Hotel Verdant boutique hotel, and a 185-acre Schlitz Audubon preserve.

TKWA's core service offering comprises architecture, planning, interior design, and historic preservation services, all delivered through its proprietary "Wholeness" design philosophy and a collaborative "Pattern Writing" methodology. The firm's technical differentiation centers on deep expertise in LEED-certified sustainable design — including design of the world's first LEED-recognized carbon-neutral building (Leopold Legacy Center, 2007, 12,000 sf, producing over 110% of annual energy needs) — and specialized capabilities in adaptive reuse of historic structures (Garver Feed Mill, BRIX Lofts, Charmant Hotel, Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, Joseph B. Funke Candy Co. factory) and high-performance energy design (Passivhaus, zero net energy, 70% energy reduction vs. code). Geographic concentration is in Wisconsin and the broader Midwest with expanding Pacific Northwest presence and select international work in China through the Seattle office.

The firm generates revenue through project-based professional services fees, with pricing tied to project scope, complexity, and requirements rather than publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, relying on direct client engagement, RFP/RFQ processes for institutional clients, a portfolio-driven website, and industry awards (numerous AIA Wisconsin, ASID, USGBC, COTE, and City of Milwaukee Mayor's Urban Design Awards) for credibility. The firm operates without disclosed funding, parent company, or subsidiary structure, consistent with an independently-held professional practice; no revenue figures are publicly disclosed. Headcount is reported as 11–50 employees.

Name

The Kubala Washatko Architects

Legal name

The Kubala Washatko Architects

Website

https://tkwa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Kubala Washatko Architects is a Wisconsin-based, full-service architecture, planning, and interior design studio serving enterprise, mid-market, and non-profit clients across cultural, hospitality, workplace, education, and historic preservation sectors, distinguished by its Wholeness design philosophy and pioneering sustainable/carbon-neutral design expertise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedarburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: TKWA generates revenue through providing architectural, interior design, and planning services on a project-by-project basis. Services include site planning, space planning, architecture, and interior design for various building types including commercial, hospitality, residential, and institutional projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

TKWA is a full-service architecture, planning, and interior design studio providing architectural design, interior design, site planning, space planning, historic preservation, and sustainable design services for commercial, hospitality, residential, institutional, and cultural projects. The firm serves developers, corporations, institutions, non-profits, and government entities with project-specific engagements, anchored by its Wholeness-based design philosophy integrating human activity with natural living systems.

Product overview

The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) is a full-service architecture, planning, and interior design studio offering comprehensive design services. The firm operates a core portfolio of architecture, planning, and interior design services underpinned by its proprietary Wholeness design philosophy. TKWA specializes in sustainable design, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse projects, with particular expertise in LEED-certified buildings, net-zero energy design, and projects seeking historic tax credits. The firm's project portfolio spans multiple sectors including cultural, workplace, education, religious, hospitality, residential, public realm, and historic preservation, with completed projects across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Washington State.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Full-service architecture services including site planning, space planning, and building design for commercial, residential, institutional, and hospitality projects.
• Interior Design Services Interior design services for hospitality, workplace, retail, and residential spaces, including material selection, furniture specification, and space configuration.
• Planning Services Urban design, site master planning, and community planning services for mixed-use developments, downtown districts, and campus environments.
• Historic Preservation Services Historic restoration, adaptive reuse, and preservation services including Secretary of Interior Standards compliance and state/federal historic tax credit applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Leopold Legacy Center produces over 110% of its annual energy needs, achieving zero net energy design
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Knothe Bruce ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKWA collaborated with Knothe Bruce Architects as part of the design team for the Bayview Foundation master plan project, working together on the comprehensive redesign of the 130-unit housing development in Madison, Wisconsin.
• SmithGroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKWA developed the Bayview Foundation master plan in collaboration with Knothe Bruce Architects and SmithGroup, creating a comprehensive design team for the housing development and community center project.
• The Gettys GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKWA collaborated with The Gettys Group for Hotel Verdant project, with Gettys providing interior design services while TKWA handled architecture for the adaptive reuse of the historic Zahn's Department Store into an 84-room LEED Gold boutique hotel.
• Van de Walle & AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKWA worked with Van de Walle & Associates of Madison, Wisconsin for urban design work on the Grandview Commons project, with Van de Walle providing the urban design component of the master plan.
• Simeone Deary Design GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKWA cooperated with Simeone Deary Design Group and The Aparium Hotel Group to transform the historic Joseph B. Funke Candy Co. factory into the Charmant Hotel luxury boutique property.
• The Aparium Hotel GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Aparium Hotel Group partnered with TKWA and Simeone Deary Design Group for the Charmant Hotel project, bringing hospitality management expertise to the adaptive reuse development.
• Baum RevisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTKWA was hired by Chicago-based developer Baum Revision to help craft a plan for adaptive reuse of the historic Garver Feed Mill in Madison, Wisconsin, creating a vibrant artisan food production and destination venue.

Scale indicators1 record

Broad incumbents

• Gensler: Gensler is the largest global architecture and design firm with deep workplace, hospitality, and cultural practice areas. Overlaps with TKWA in integrated architecture/interior design for enterprise clients across hospitality, corporate, and cultural sectors, though TKWA operates at a vastly smaller, more boutique scale.
• Perkins&Will: Perkins&Will is a global architecture firm with one of the strongest sustainability and LEED practices in the industry. Comparable to TKWA in cultural, education, healthcare, and adaptive reuse work and similar commitment to carbon-neutral design, though operating at much larger national/global scale.
• SmithGroup: SmithGroup is a large integrated architecture, engineering, and planning firm with strong sustainability practice. Already a confirmed collaboration partner of TKWA on the Bayview Foundation master plan, indicating comparable practice areas in cultural, residential, and planning work, though at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• MSR Design: MSR Design is a Minneapolis-based architecture firm focused on sustainable, integrated design for cultural, civic, recreation, and education clients. Closely comparable to TKWA in Midwest location, similar boutique scale, and leadership in sustainable and human-centered architecture with comparable civic/nonprofit clientele.
• HGA Architects and Engineers: HGA is a Midwest-based architecture and engineering firm with offices serving cultural, healthcare, corporate, and education markets. Comparable to TKWA in Midwest footprint, multi-sector practice (cultural, corporate, education), and integrated design approach, though larger in scale and broader in service offerings.
• BNIM Architects: BNIM is a Kansas City-based architecture firm nationally recognized for sustainable, high-performance building design and LEED leadership. Closely comparable to TKWA in boutique scale, Midwest roots, mission-driven sustainable practice, and track record of AIA COTE-recognized projects.
• Lake|Flato Architects: Lake|Flato is a San Antonio-based architecture firm recognized nationally for sustainable design and adaptive reuse. Highly comparable to TKWA in regional boutique scale, sustainability credentials, and award-winning hospitality, cultural, and residential work (similar AIA Honor award profile).
• John Ronan Architects: John Ronan Architects is a Chicago-based boutique firm nationally recognized for sustainable design and educational facilities. Comparable to TKWA in small boutique scale, Midwest location, AIA COTE-recognized sustainable architecture, and education sector leadership.
• Knothe Bruce Architects: Knothe Bruce is a Madison, Wisconsin-based architecture firm specializing in cultural, educational, and residential projects. Confirmed collaboration partner of TKWA on the Bayview Foundation master plan; comparable firm scale, regional Wisconsin focus, and aligned cultural and residential client base.

Regional players

• Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA): HGA is a Midwest-based architecture and engineering firm with strong cultural, education, and healthcare practices. Comparable to TKWA in Midwest location, multi-sector practice, and similar clientele in civic and institutional markets, though larger scale and broader integrated services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kubalawashatko
• Facebookfacebook.com/kubalawashatko
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kubala-washatko-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 The Kubala Washatko Architects