SPACE ARCHITECTS + PLANNERS

What SPACE ARCHITECTS + PLANNERS does

SPACE Architects + Planners (legally SPACE Architects and Planners LLC) is a Chicago-headquartered, privately-held architecture and planning firm founded in 2003 that delivers custom architectural and interior design services across four practice areas: Single-Family Residential, Multi-Family Residential, Hospitality, and Commercial. The firm operates as a design collective rather than a starchitect-led brand, with two licensed Principals — Jay Keller (AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, licensed in IL/AZ/CO/FL/NY) and Ramiel Kenoun (AIA, NCARB, licensed in IL/AZ/CO/FL) — leading a 11-50 person team of Directors, Managers, Senior Associates, and Associates. Its 50+-project portfolio spans project sizes from 2,100 sq. ft. single-family renovations to 140,000 sq. ft. multi-family developments, with documented specializations in adaptive reuse, historic preservation (churches, synagogues, breweries, manufacturing buildings), LEED Gold sustainable design, and design on constrained urban sites. Notable award-winning work includes the 2020 AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award (Ella Elli), the NAIOP Office Redevelopment of the Year (1133-55 Fulton), and the Preservation Excellence Award from the Commission on Chicago Landmarks (19 S. Wabash).

The firm generates revenue through project-based professional services fees, with engagements initiated via its website contact form or direct email and scoped per project — no public pricing, no rate cards, and no self-serve purchasing exist. Its go-to-market is a relationship-driven, direct-to-client model spanning enterprise hospitality groups (Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Goose Island Beer Co., Sterling Bay), mid-market real estate developers (MCXIV Partners), and SMB/direct-to-consumer residential clients acquired through referrals and a portfolio-driven website (spacearchplan.com). Marketing is portfolio-led via the website and Instagram, reinforced by earned media (Eater Chicago, Curbed, Food & Wine, Architect Magazine) and industry awards (AIA, NAIOP, Qualified Remodeler). Distribution is direct, with project delivery managed from two regional offices: the Midwest HQ at 2149 N. Talman Avenue, Chicago, IL (founded 2003) and the Southwest office at 9073 East Karen Drive, Scottsdale, AZ (launched 2022, headed by Principal Ramiel Kenoun). The firm uses standard marketing and HR technology infrastructure (Squarespace, Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Jobscore) and has no public API, no proprietary software product, and no AI/ML capabilities.

Name

SPACE ARCHITECTS + PLANNERS

Legal name

SPACE Architects and Planners LLC

Website

https://spacearchplan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SPACE Architects + Planners is a Chicago-based, privately-held architecture firm founded in 2003 delivering custom design services across single-family, multi-family, hospitality, and commercial typologies, with documented expertise in LEED Gold multi-family delivery, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation, served from Chicago and Scottsdale offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD), Space Planning & Workplace Design (BPAHAKAI), Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Architecture design services
• Multi-family residential architecture
• Hospitality restaurant design
• Historic preservation architecture
• Adaptive reuse planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Professional Services: Project-based fees for architecture, planning, and interior design services across four practice areas: Single-Family residential, Multi-Family residential, Hospitality, and Commercial. Revenue is generated per project engagement; the firm explicitly commits to 'each project as an opportunity' regardless of scale or budget. Standard architecture practice professional services revenue model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SPACE Architects + Planners is a Chicago-based architecture and planning firm founded in 2003 that delivers custom architectural design services across four practice areas: Single-Family residential, Multi-Family residential, Commercial, and Hospitality projects. The firm provides end-to-end design services including new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, interior renovation, and construction administration, with verified LEED Gold delivery on multiple multi-family developments.

Product overview

SPACE Architects + Planners (SPACE A+P) is a Chicago-based architecture and planning firm founded in 2003 that delivers a single unified architectural services portfolio organized into four core service categories: Single-Family Residential, Multi-Family Residential, Commercial, and Hospitality architecture. Rather than selling discrete product modules, the firm offers end-to-end design services spanning new construction, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and interior renovation, served from two offices — the SPACE A+P Midwest Office (Chicago, IL, founded 2003) and the SPACE A+P Southwest Office (Scottsdale, AZ, launched 2022). Individual named projects (e.g., The Maeve on Madison, The Ridge, The Lake, Ashland and Adams, 1133-55 Fulton, Ella Elli, Pacific Standard Time, Tao, Half Acre Beer Co., Bixi Beer, Cortina – Lot 8 / Lot 9, Lakeview Residence, Scarsdale Residence) collectively form the firm's delivered work portfolio, executed by an in-house team that includes Principals Jay Keller and Ramiel Kenoun, Directors, Managers, Associates, and an Office Manager/Director of HR.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single-Family Residential Architecture Custom single-family home architecture services spanning ground-up new construction, two-flat deconversions, interior renovations, rear additions, and adaptive reuse of historic residences, for individual homeowners and families across Chicago neighborhoods, Evanston, Oak Park, Three Oaks MI, Telluride/Mountain Village CO, and Boca Raton FL.
• Multi-Family Residential Architecture Boutique and large-scale multi-unit residential architecture including new-construction condominium and rental buildings, townhome complexes, adaptive-reuse conversions of historic churches/synagogues/warehouses, and mixed-use developments with ground-floor retail, frequently achieving LEED Gold certification (The Maeve on Madison, The Ridge, The Lake). Portfolio includes 4- to 6-story luxury buildings from 10 to 120+ units.
• Commercial Architecture Commercial architecture services for offices, retail, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, fitness centers, and mixed-use spaces. Notable projects include the 1133-55 Fulton office redevelopment (NAIOP Office Redevelopment of the Year), 19 S. Wabash historic preservation (Preservation Excellence Award from Commission on Chicago Landmarks), Goose Island Beer Co. offices, Solo Salon, and G.O.A.T. Climb & Cryo fitness center.
• Hospitality Architecture Hospitality and restaurant architecture services for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, brewpubs, event spaces, and beer company facilities. The firm regularly collaborates with named interior designers on award-winning Chicago restaurants including Ella Elli (2020 AIA Chicago Design Excellence Award), Pacific Standard Time/Avec River North (Eater Best Restaurant 2018), Half Acre Beer Co., Tao nightclub, and Sushi San Lincoln Park.

Quantifiable outcome

• LEED Gold certification achieved on The Maeve on Madison, The Ridge, and The Lake multi-family projects after originally targeting LEED Silver
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core (operational tooling), core (hr tooling), core (marketing tooling) and minor (project collaborator).

• Google Analyticscore (operational tooling)Technology or IntegrationPer the firm's privacy policy, Google Analytics is used to automatically collect information including IP address, device identifiers, software platform, mobile carrier, and geo-location data to help understand website usage patterns. The third-party provider is prohibited from using the data for any other purposes.
• Facebook (Meta Pixel)core (operational tooling)Technology or IntegrationFacebook Pixel is deployed for marketing analytics, enabling the firm to collect user data for marketing optimization and to deliver interest-based advertisements. Disclosed in the firm's privacy policy.
• Jobscorecore (hr tooling)Technology or IntegrationJobscore is used to administer job applications submitted via the SPACE careers page. Applicants are redirected to the Jobscore website and are subject to Jobscore's separate policies.
• Mailchimpcore (marketing tooling)Technology or IntegrationThird-party automated email distribution provider used for marketing purposes. Only contacts with legal basis for marketing are added to distribution lists. Personal data is protected and not shared with further parties.
• Constant Contactcore (marketing tooling)Technology or IntegrationThird-party automated email distribution provider used for marketing emails and staying in touch with contacts. Personal data uploaded to the platform is protected and not shared with further parties.
• SurveyMonkeycore (marketing tooling)Technology or IntegrationThird-party platform used for marketing and survey purposes. Used in combination with Mailchimp and Constant Contact to stay in touch with contacts.
• Studio K (Interior Design)minor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with SPACE on the BLVD restaurant project (2017, 10,000 sq ft) to bring the 1950s Hollywood glamour concept to life. Studio K served as the interior designer on the project.
• Variant Collaborative (Interior Design)minor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerServed as interior designer for the Feld restaurant project (1,900 sq ft) in Chicago's West Town, working with SPACE and the chef/owner Jake Potashnick to bring the 'in-the-round' dining experience to life.
• Parts and Labor Designminor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with SPACE on the Avec River North (Pacific Standard Time) project (9,000 sq ft). The project went on to win Eater Best Restaurant of the Year Chicago 2018 and Eater Nationals Best New Restaurant 2018.
• Siren Betty Designminor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with SPACE on the G.O.A.T. Climb & Cryo fitness center (4,900 sq ft) and the Solo Salon (5,200 sq ft). Siren Betty Design served as interior designer on both projects.
• X Design Collective (Interior Design)minor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerServed as interior designer on the Sushi San Lincoln Park project (2024, 7,150 sq ft) and lead interior designer on The Pepper House single-family residence. Repeated project collaboration.
• SGW Architecture & Designminor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerServed as Architect of Record for the new construction portion of the St. Boniface project (60,000 sq ft) - transformation of a historic church into 18 luxury condominiums, with a contemporary adjacent building.
• Barker Evans Landscape Architectureminor (project collaborator)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerServed as landscape architect on The Pepper House single-family residence project.
• Kettelkamp & Kettelkamp Landscape Architectureminor (project collaborator)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerServed as landscape architect on the Lakeview Residence single-family home (2025, 17,200 sq ft).
• CEDARst (Interior Design)minor (project collaborator)Strategic or Co-development PartnerServed as interior designer on the 5029 North Kenmore multifamily project (31,000 sq ft) - the conversion of a former synagogue into residential units.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• BKV Group: Midwest-headquartered architecture and design firm with strong multi-family residential and mixed-use practice. Comparable typology overlap with SPACE's multi-family portfolio but serves different geographies and developer relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins&Will: Large global architecture firm with a major Chicago studio, serving institutional, healthcare, education, and commercial clients. Competes with SPACE on the upper end of the multi-family and commercial developer market and represents the scale ceiling SPACE does not address.
• Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture: Larger Chicago-based architecture firm with global practice spanning supertall towers, commercial, and residential. Operates in the same Chicago market and competes for select developer and high-end residential clients, but at a fundamentally different scale and project size.

Direct peers

• Antunovich Associates: Long-established Chicago architecture and planning firm with deep multi-family residential and historic preservation expertise. Overlaps with SPACE in multi-family typology and Chicago developer relationships.
• Booth Hansen: Chicago-based architecture and planning firm with a similarly broad practice spanning residential, hospitality, commercial, and adaptive reuse. Booth Hansen competes with SPACE for the same Chicago developer, hospitality operator, and institutional clients at comparable boutique scale.
• bKL Architecture: Chicago architecture studio with similar boutique scale and multi-family, hospitality, and mixed-use portfolio. Competes with SPACE for developer-led residential and hospitality commissions.
• Lamar Johnson Collaborative: Chicago-based architecture and interior design firm serving multi-family residential, hospitality, and commercial clients. Direct peer competing for the same developer and hospitality clients in the Midwest market.
• Wheeler Kearns Architects: Chicago-based architecture firm of similar size focused on residential, commercial, and adaptive reuse projects. Competes with SPACE for high-end single-family, multi-family, and select commercial engagements across the Chicago market.
• Eckenhoff Saunders: Chicago architecture practice with parallel expertise in adaptive reuse, multi-family residential, and historic preservation. Comparable boutique scale and overlapping client base of developers and institutional owners in Chicago and the Midwest.

Emerging players

• Studio ARQ: Chicago-based architecture practice focused on residential, hospitality, and adaptive reuse projects at boutique scale. An emerging peer competing for similar project typologies and client segments as SPACE.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/spacearchplan/?hl=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/spacearchplan

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

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 SPACE ARCHITECTS + PLANNERS