Architectural Record
Architectural Record is a 130-year-old B2B architecture and design media brand, owned by BNP Media, serving architects, firms, students, and building product manufacturers through a monthly magazine, digital edition, AIA continuing education, podcasts, awards programs, and reference publications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1896
- HeadquartersTroy, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Architectural Record does
Architectural Record is a B2B media publication covering architecture and design, founded in 1896 and currently operated as a subsidiary of BNP Media, Inc. The company serves licensed architects, architecture firms, students, educators, and building product manufacturers through a flagship monthly magazine (print and digital editions), a website at architecturalrecord.com, the DESIGN:ED podcast, AIA-approved continuing education (CE Center and CE Academies), and an online store selling reference books and costbooks (e.g., the 2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook at $139.95). It runs a portfolio of long-running award and editorial programs including the Record Awards, Design Vanguard, Record Houses, Record Interiors, Record Products of the Year, Women in Architecture Awards, and the Cocktail Napkin Sketch Contest, and hosts the annual Innovation Conference and ongoing webinars.
The publication's core technology is a digital publishing and content platform supporting web, digital magazine, CE/quiz delivery, podcast distribution, and e-commerce. Underlying technology is conventional B2B media infrastructure operated under BNP Media's publishing stack; the 2026 launch of the 'Ask RECORD AI' feature indicates an AI-assisted content discovery layer, but no proprietary AI research or model development is disclosed.
The business model combines four revenue streams: recurring magazine subscriptions (individual and firm-level via the Firm Pass tier), advertising and sponsored content (including sponsored podcasts and webinars) from building product manufacturers such as DoorBird, Current/Carlisle, Carlisle SynTec, Tamlyn, Reef Industries, and Henry Company, one-time product sales of reference books and costbooks, and revenue from webinars, events, and the Innovation Conference. Distribution is global across print and digital channels, with primary operations based in Troy, Michigan, and an editorially independent editorial team led by Editor-in-Chief Cathleen McGuigan.
Architectural Record firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Architectural Record
- Legal name
- BNP Media, Inc.
- Website
- https://architecturalrecord.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1896
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Architectural Record is a 130-year-old B2B architecture and design media brand, owned by BNP Media, serving architects, firms, students, and building product manufacturers through a monthly magazine, digital edition, AIA continuing education, podcasts, awards programs, and reference publications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Architectural Record industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architecture and Design Trade Publication
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction Codes & Building Standards Publishing (MPAJACAH)
Keywords
Where Architectural Record is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Troy
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Architectural Record business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Magazine Subscriptions: Annual and monthly subscriptions providing access to print and digital magazine content
- Advertising and Sponsored Content: Building product manufacturers and design companies advertise in the magazine and on the website. Sponsored content includes articles about products and services relevant to architects.
- Product Sales: Sale of architectural books, costbooks, and reference materials through the online store
- Webinars and Events: Continuing education webinars offering AIA learning units for architects, often sponsored by manufacturers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Magazine Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 2026 Architect's Square Foot Costbook |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Architectural Detailing Book |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Architectural Record product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Architectural Record is a B2B trade media publication that produces a monthly magazine (print and digital) covering architecture, house design, projects, products, and industry news, alongside professional reference books and costbooks. It also operates an AIA-approved Continuing Education Center, the DESIGN:ED podcast, sponsored continuing-education webinars, and annual awards and conference programs serving the architecture profession.
Product overview
Architectural Record is a media publication platform offering journalism, educational content, and industry awards programs for the architecture profession. The core offering is the Architectural Record Magazine (print and digital editions), supplemented by professional reference products (costbooks, technical guides), continuing education services (CE Center with AIA credits), and editorial features (Record Houses, Design Vanguard, Record Interiors). The publication hosts annual award programs including the Record Awards, Design Vanguard, Women in Architecture Awards, and Record Products of the Year. Additional offerings include the DESIGN:ED Podcast, webinars, the Innovation Conference, and a historic archive. The platform operates on a subscription model with Firm Pass tiers for enhanced access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Record Magazine The flagship monthly trade magazine for architecture and design professionals, covering building architecture, house design, projects, products, news, commentary, and opinion.
- Digital Edition
Quantifiable outcome
- Comprehensive coverage of architecture projects globally including residential, commercial, cultural, educational, and institutional building types
Companies that use Architectural Record
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Architectural Record technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Architectural Record partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- DoorBirdminorDoorBird is a sponsor of Architectural Record's content, with articles about their 3D configurator being published as sponsored content. DoorBird produces IP video door stations for residential and commercial design.
- Current (Carlisle)minorCurrent (sponsored content about LED downlights and below-ceiling serviceability) is a lighting solutions company that sponsors Architectural Record content.
- Carlisle SynTec SystemsminorCarlisle SynTec Systems sponsors content about cold storage envelope design for architects and specifiers.
- TamlynminorTamlyn sponsors content about exterior trim details and panel facades for architects and design professionals.
- Reef IndustriesminorReef Industries sponsors content about vapor barriers and moisture control in building design.
- Henry (Carlisle Company)minorHenry Company sponsors content about waterproofing systems for water containment structures.
- Construction SpecialtiesminorConstruction Specialties sponsors the Cocktail Napkin Sketch Contest as part of Architectural Record's awards programs.
- BNP MediacoreArchitectural Record is owned and operated by BNP Media, a business-to-business media company. BNP Media provides publishing infrastructure, marketing services, reprints, market research, and list rental services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Architectural Record competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Architectural Digest: Architectural Digest is a global architecture and design magazine published by Condé Nast. It directly competes with Architectural Record in the architecture and design editorial space, covering residential and commercial projects, design trends, and celebrity architects with similar subscription and advertising models.
- Dezeen: Dezeen is one of the world's most popular architecture, interiors, and design magazines, operating as a digital-first publication. It competes with Architectural Record for the same global architect audience, breaking project news faster and monetizing through advertising and events without a print edition.
- ArchDaily: ArchDaily is a leading online architecture media platform that publishes daily project coverage, product news, and events. It directly competes with Architectural Record for the same architect readership and building-product advertising dollars, offering free access rather than a subscription model.
- Architizer: Architizer is an online platform and community for architects featuring project galleries, manufacturer products, and the A+Awards program. It competes with Architectural Record across editorial coverage, awards, and specifier-focused building product marketing.
- Architect Magazine: Architect Magazine is the official publication of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), covering architecture news, practice, and technology. It competes with Architectural Record for the same U.S. architect subscriber base and AIA-aligned advertising and continuing-education relationships.
- Dwell: Dwell is a modern architecture and design magazine focused on residential design. It overlaps with Architectural Record on residential coverage, including Record Houses-style content, and competes for the same design-conscious architect and consumer reader.
- Metropolis Magazine: Metropolis is a magazine focused on architecture, design, and sustainability. It competes with Architectural Record for the same architect and design-professional audience, particularly around sustainable design and product specification coverage.
- The Architect's Newspaper: The Architect's Newspaper covers architecture news, criticism, and practice with a strong urban and policy focus. It competes with Architectural Record for U.S. architect readership, advertising, and event sponsorships in the professional architecture media market.
Broad incumbents
- Wallpaper: Wallpaper* is a global design, architecture, and lifestyle magazine published by Future plc. It overlaps with Architectural Record on architecture coverage and design awards but spans broader lifestyle categories such as fashion, travel, and technology.
Regional players
- Azure Magazine: Azure is a Canadian architecture and design magazine covering projects, products, and awards. It shares architectural editorial coverage and awards-program DNA with Architectural Record but is primarily focused on the Canadian market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Architectural Record social profiles
Digital presenceArchitectural Record financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Architectural Record leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Architectural Record funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Architectural Record 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 Architectural Record
What does Architectural Record do?
Architectural Record is a B2B trade media publication that produces a monthly magazine (print and digital) covering architecture, house design, projects, products, and industry news, alongside professional reference books and costbooks. It also operates an AIA-approved Continuing Education Center, the DESIGN:ED podcast, sponsored continuing-education webinars, and annual awards and conference programs serving the architecture profession.
Is Architectural Record a public or private company?
Architectural Record is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Architectural Record founded?
Architectural Record was founded in 1896. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Architectural Record based?
Architectural Record is headquartered in Troy, United States, in the North America region.
How does Architectural Record make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Magazine Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are advertising and Sponsored Content, product Sales and webinars and Events.
Who are Architectural Record's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Architectural Digest, Dezeen, ArchDaily, Architizer, Architect Magazine, Dwell, Metropolis Magazine and The Architect's Newspaper. Wallpaper is listed as a broad incumbent. Azure Magazine is listed as a regional player.
Does Architectural Record have an API?
No public API is recorded for Architectural Record.
What industry is Architectural Record in?
Architectural Record's product category is Architecture and Design Trade Publication. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJACAH, Construction Codes & Building Standards Publishing. Its SIC code is 2721.