JLG Architects
JLG Architects is a 100% employee-owned, full-service architecture firm operating nine offices across the Upper Midwest, delivering specialized design services across healthcare, higher education, hockey, sports, justice, and cultural-institution verticals for government, institutional, and commercial clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGrand Forks, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What JLG Architects does
JLG Architects is a 100% employee-owned full-service architecture firm founded in 1989 as a two-person studio and now operating from nine offices across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota (Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Williston, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Alexandria). The firm is organized into ten vertical studios — Healthcare, Higher Education, Hockey, Industrial, Justice & Rehabilitation, K12 Education, Libraries & Museums, Mixed-Use & Housing, Sports, and Workplace — each led by principal architects who drive project acquisition within their domain. Its portfolio spans marquee institutional commissions including the $500M Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, the $56M UND Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, the $450M Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (Architect of Record alongside Snøhetta, opening July 2026), and sports/entertainment venues for the Savannah Ghost Pirates and Mosaic Quarter in Tucson.
The firm's underlying technical differentiators are its evidence-based design (EDAC-accredited healthcare staff), sustainability leadership (Living Future 50 Pledge, Architecture 2030 signatory, Living Building Challenge pursuit on TRPL), and domain specialization in ice rink engineering (the nation's only Certified Ice Rink Manager/Certified Ice Technician Architect on staff). JLG's "Design for Life" federally registered methodology and its AXP development program — reportedly reducing architect licensure time from a national average of 12.9 years to 3.7 years — underpin its talent engine. The business model is standard professional services: fee-based architectural contracts negotiated project-by-project, delivered through direct business development, RFP responses, and long-term studio relationships with government, institutional, and commercial clients; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Since 2015 the firm has operated as a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), governed by an elected board under CEO/President Michelle Mongeon Allen, with no external institutional investors or parent company.
JLG Architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- JLG Architects
- Legal name
- JLG Architects
- Website
- https://jlgarchitects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- JLG Architects is a 100% employee-owned, full-service architecture firm operating nine offices across the Upper Midwest, delivering specialized design services across healthcare, higher education, hockey, sports, justice, and cultural-institution verticals for government, institutional, and commercial clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
JLG Architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)
Keywords
Where JLG Architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Forks
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
JLG Architects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: JLG Architects generates revenue through professional services contracts including master planning, architectural design, and construction administration for specialized building types across healthcare, higher education, sports facilities, justice, industrial, K12, libraries, and mixed-use housing.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
JLG Architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
JLG Architects is a 100% employee-owned full-service architecture firm delivering integrated architectural design, master planning, and construction administration services across specialized verticals including Healthcare, Higher Education, Hockey, Industrial, Justice & Rehabilitation, K12 Education, Libraries & Museums, Mixed-Use & Housing, Sports, and Workplace. The firm serves government, institutional, and commercial clients through nine offices across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with nationally recognized expertise in evidence-based healthcare design, ice rink engineering, and Living Building Challenge sustainability standards.
Product overview
JLG Architects is a 100% employee-owned architectural firm that operates as a multi-studio practice offering comprehensive design services. The firm is organized into specialized practice studios including Healthcare, Higher Education, Hockey, Industrial, Justice and Rehabilitation, K12 Education, Libraries and Museums, Mixed-Use and Housing, Sports, and Workplace Architecture. Each studio delivers project-based work tailored to specific market sectors. The firm is perhaps best known for its role as Architect of Record for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in collaboration with Snøhetta, as well as signature projects including Altru Hospital, UND Nistler College of Business, Port Wentworth Ice Cove & Amphitheater, and the Mosaic Quarter Iceplex. JLG also produces thought leadership content through its 'Bold by Nature' and 'Community Matters' podcasts. The firm maintains offices across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Healthcare Architecture Studio Comprehensive architectural design practice for hospitals, clinics, critical access facilities, health education centers, behavioral health facilities, and sports medicine/wellness centers. Serves rural and urban hospital systems with EDAC-accredited staff expertise.
- Higher Education Architecture Studio Architectural design services for academic, athletic, science, and student life facility needs across college and university campuses.
- Hockey Arena Architecture Studio Hockey arena and ice facility design practice offering collegiate, community, and performance ice rink environments, with the nation's only Certified Ice Rink Manager/Certified Ice Technician Architect on staff.
- Industrial Architecture Studio Industrial design practice including facilities for electric cooperatives, distribution centers, and manufacturing.
- Justice and Rehabilitation Architecture Studio Justice and correction facility design practice including county jails, courthouses, detention facilities, and law enforcement facilities.
- K12 Education Architecture Studio K-12 school design practice including career and technical education centers and community schools serving public school districts.
- Libraries and Museums Architecture Studio Library and museum design practice including presidential libraries and cultural institutions.
- Mixed-Use and Housing Architecture Studio Mixed-use and housing design practice including residential developments, adaptive reuse, and commercial mixed-use projects.
- Sports Architecture Studio Sports facility design practice including arenas, field houses, and multi-sport complexes.
- Workplace Architecture Studio Workplace design practice including corporate offices and commercial interiors with expertise in neuroinclusive workplace design.
Quantifiable outcome
- JLG's AXP development program reduces architect licensure from the national average of 12.9 years to 3.7 years
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use JLG Architects
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
JLG Architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
JLG Architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Sanford HealthcoreJLG Architects and Sanford Health partnered to create Zen Zone mental health rooms for student-athletes at the Summit League Basketball Championships in Sioux Falls, SD. Sanford Health contributed toward the creation of calming wellness spaces designed to support mental well-being.
- Dimensional Innovations (DI)coreDimensional Innovations is the Primary Exhibit Fabricator for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project, valued at $450M, working with JLG Architects and Snøhetta on immersive experience galleries and environmentally sustainable exhibit elements.
- SnøhettaflagshipJLG Architects serves as Architect of Record for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, ND, working hand-in-hand with Snøhetta (the international Design Architect and Design Landscape Architect). This is JLG's most prominent project, with the $450M library opening July 4, 2026.
- JE DunncoreJE Dunn serves as Construction Manager at Risk for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project. JLG collaborates with JE Dunn on complex construction administration and execution.
- ConfluencecoreConfluence serves as Landscape Architect of Record for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, collaborating with JLG Architects and Snøhetta on the site design.
- Summit LeagueminorJLG Architects partnered with the Summit League for the second consecutive year to provide dedicated mental health Zen Zone rooms for student-athletes during the Basketball Championship tournament.
- ArupcoreArup serves as Audiovisual, Theater, and Acoustic Engineer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
- Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA)coreMKA serves as Structural Engineer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project.
- Atelier TencoreAtelier Ten serves as Sustainability Consultant for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, supporting the project's Living Building Challenge and carbon-positive goals.
- Future of StorytellingcoreFuture of Storytelling serves as Exhibit Story and Content Designer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
- Local ProjectscoreLocal Projects serves as Exhibit Designer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
- Cortina ProductionscoreCortina Productions serves as Media Design and Production for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
- Sherwood Design EngineerscoreSherwood Design Engineers serves as Civil Engineer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project.
- AE2ScoreAE2S serves as Civil Engineer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
- Morrissey EngineeringcoreMorrissey Engineering serves as Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
- BNDRY StudiocoreBNDRY Studio collaborated with JLG on the Grand Forks Career Impact Academy design.
- BWBRcoreBWBR served as Design Architect (Justice) in partnership with JLG for the Ward County Jail Expansion project.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
JLG Architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Stantec: Global design and consulting firm with established Healthcare, Education, and Community Development practices. Competes with JLG for institutional and government clients but is materially larger and more diversified.
- HKS: Large national architecture firm with signature Healthcare, Sports, and Civic practices. Overlaps with JLG across Healthcare and Sports verticals but at substantially greater scale.
- HDR Architecture: Large multi-disciplinary design firm with strong Healthcare, Justice, and Education practices. Overlaps directly with JLG's verticals but operates at much greater scale with broader service lines including engineering and program management.
Direct peers
- Cuningham Group: Mid-size architecture, master planning, and interior design firm with strong Hospitality, Entertainment, and Healthcare practices. Comparable in scale, regional roots, and entertainment/sports specializations (including arena design) that overlap with JLG's Sports and Hockey Studios.
- CannonDesign: National architecture, engineering, and planning firm with deep Healthcare, Higher Education, and Sports practices. Comparable to JLG in vertical mix but operates at materially larger scale with multiple national offices.
- BWBR: Mid-size architecture firm with a Healthcare-focused practice that has partnered with JLG (e.g., on Ward County Jail as Design Architect). Directly comparable in scale and mission, with similar civic and healthcare specializations.
- Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with deep Healthcare and Higher Education studios. Directly comparable to JLG across the same core verticals (healthcare, education, civic/cultural) but at significantly larger scale and national/international footprint.
- Kahler Slater: Integrated design firm with Healthcare, Sports (including ice arenas), Workplace, and Senior Living practices. Directly comparable to JLG across verticals including Hockey/Sports, Healthcare, and Workplace design.
- DLR Group: Employee-owned (100% ESOP) integrated design firm with strong Healthcare, Higher Education, K-12, and Sports practices. Closest structural peer to JLG given shared ESOP model and similar vertical mix.
Regional players
- Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA): Midwest-based architecture and engineering firm serving Healthcare, Education, Workplace, and Community Development. Comparable in scale and regional concentration to JLG with overlapping verticals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
JLG Architects social profiles
Digital presenceJLG Architects compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
JLG Architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
JLG Architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
JLG Architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
JLG Architects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about JLG Architects
What does JLG Architects do?
JLG Architects is a 100% employee-owned full-service architecture firm delivering integrated architectural design, master planning, and construction administration services across specialized verticals including Healthcare, Higher Education, Hockey, Industrial, Justice & Rehabilitation, K12 Education, Libraries & Museums, Mixed-Use & Housing, Sports, and Workplace. The firm serves government, institutional, and commercial clients through nine offices across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with nationally recognized expertise in evidence-based healthcare design, ice rink engineering, and Living Building Challenge sustainability standards.
Is JLG Architects a public or private company?
JLG Architects is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was JLG Architects founded?
JLG Architects was founded in 1989. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is JLG Architects based?
JLG Architects is headquartered in Grand Forks, United States, in the North America region.
How does JLG Architects make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Design Services.
Who are JLG Architects's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Stantec, HKS and HDR Architecture. Direct peers are Cuningham Group, CannonDesign, BWBR, Perkins&Will, Kahler Slater and DLR Group. Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) is listed as a regional player.
Does JLG Architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for JLG Architects.
What industry is JLG Architects in?
JLG Architects's product category is Architectural 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 and its SIC code is 8711.