What NDA Group does

NDA Group is a French-founded, privately held architecture, urban planning, and hospitality consultancy headquartered in Lyon with regional offices in Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dubai. The firm operates a 'glocal' model — combining French creative direction with local execution teams of 100+ professionals from more than 10 nationalities — and functions as a lead consultant coordinating specialized suppliers, operators, and contractors across the full project lifecycle, from strategic positioning and master planning through detailed architectural and interior design to pre-opening assistance.

Its core services span Strategic Planning, Urban Planning, Architectural Design, Interior Design, Hospitality Consultancy, Operation Consultancy, Landscape Design, and Sustainability and Conservation. Methodologically, projects are organized under branded design philosophies (Design for Eco Future, Wellness and Joy, Mountain Spirit, Waterfront Lifestyle, Performance, Experiences, and Feelings and Emotions) and an internal 5-E Ethos framework (Experience, Emotion, Energy, Efficiency, Ecology). The firm maintains a specialized NDA Hospitality division (founded 2019) led by COO Guido Milner to deliver hotel and resort operating advisory alongside design.

Revenue is generated on a B2B professional-services basis through enterprise direct sales targeting real estate developers (DIC Group, Crystal Bay, Vanke, Vinaconex-ITC), hospitality operators (IHG Group), and government bodies (Anhui TV Bureau). Pricing is custom and undisclosed, tied to project scope and complexity. The firm reports 300+ landmark projects completed across 20+ countries over 23 years in Asia and 30+ international awards, and underwent a corporate rebrand in 2023 under the slogan 'Imagine for Better'.

Name

NDA Group

Legal name

NDA Group

Website

https://ndateam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

NDA Group is a French-founded architecture, urban planning, and hospitality consultancy operating from Lyon with regional offices in Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dubai, serving real estate developers, hospitality operators, and government bodies on large-scale destination projects across Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture and Urban Planning Consulting

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Design-Build / EPC General Contracting (IMAFAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Commercial General Contracting (New Build) (IMAFAAAA)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Urban planning consultancy
• Hospitality design advisory
• Interior design services
• Landscape architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Design and Consultancy Services: Revenue generated from providing integrated design services including strategic planning, urban planning, architectural design, interior design, landscape design, hospitality consultancy, operation consultancy, and sustainability services for large-scale projects.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NDA Group is a one-stop design agency delivering integrated architectural, urban planning, interior design, landscape design, hospitality consultancy, and operational consultancy services for large-scale destination projects. Operating as lead consultant, the firm coordinates specialized suppliers and operators across the full project lifecycle from strategic planning to detailed design and pre-opening assistance. Its work targets tourism, hospitality, residential, cultural, and mixed-use developments for government bodies, real estate developers, and hospitality operators.

Product overview

NDA Group is a French global design and marketing consultancy offering integrated one-stop design agency services for large-scale destination projects. The company operates as Lead Consultant, marshalling and coordinating specialized suppliers and operators across the full project lifecycle from strategic planning through detailed design and pre-opening assistance. The core service portfolio includes Strategic Planning, Urban Planning, Architectural Design, Interior Design, Hospitality Consultancy, Operation Consultancy, Landscape Design, and Sustainability and Conservation. The company also operates NDA Hospitality, a specialized division founded in 2019 for hotel design and operations consultancy. Projects are executed under distinct design philosophy categories: Design for Eco Future, Design for Wellness and Joy, Design for Life, Design for Communities, Design for Experiences, Design for Mountain Spirit, Design for Waterfront Lifestyle, Design for Performance, and Design for Feelings and Emotions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NDA Hospitality: Hospitality division focused on consulting and operations advisory services to operators and developers, new concept creations and development of hotel and resort portfolio in Asia. Founded in 2019, led by veteran hotelier Guido Milner.

Products and services

• Strategic Planning Innovative positioning and content creation services during the strategic planning phase, covering market analysis through concept development for large-scale destination projects.
• Urban Planning Creative urban design solutions for master planning and development strategies, including TOD (Transportation Oriented Development) and LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) approaches for city and tourism destinations.
• Architectural Design Full architectural design services from conceptual planning through detailed architecture and construction documentation for commercial, hospitality, residential, and cultural projects.
• Interior Design Interior design services for hotels, resorts, and commercial spaces, focused on immersive experiences and biophilic design principles.
• Hospitality Consultancy Hotel and resort consulting services covering brand alignment, operational strategy, and guest experience optimization for hospitality projects.
• Operation Consultancy Operational planning and advisory services ensuring designed projects achieve long-term sustainability, efficiency, and financial viability.
• Landscape Design Landscape architecture services integrating natural elements, ecology, and sustainability into outdoor spaces for tourism and urban projects.
• Sustainability and Conservation Environmental sustainability planning, eco-tourism design, and conservation strategies for projects focused on long-term ecological balance.
• NDA Hospitality Specialized division providing hotel design and operations consultancy, future hospitality trend analysis, and hotel brand alignment services to operators and developers, with a focus on Asia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ landmark projects completed in 20+ countries over 23 years in Asia
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, support and strategic.

• JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 July 2024Project Management partner for Hotel Indigo Kanas Hemu project at Hemu Ski Resort, working alongside NDA's architectural design and STACK STUDIO's interior design.
• STACK STUDIOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2024Interior Design partner for Hotel Indigo Kanas Hemu project, collaborating with NDA's architectural vision to deliver a culturally authentic boutique hotel experience.
• ECADI (华东建筑设计研究院)supportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 July 2024Domestic Design Institute partner for Hotel Indigo Kanas Hemu project, providing local design institute expertise alongside NDA's international approach.
• Vietnam National Construction Consultants CorpstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2022Strategic corporate partnership announced in April 2022, representing NDA's commitment to building long-term relationships with Vietnamese institutions.
• DIC Group (DIG)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2021Strategic cooperation agreement signed March 2021 for consulting and designing multiple projects including DIC Solar City Vung Tau, DIC Wisteria City Dong Nai, and DIC Victory City Hau Giang. Goal to become Top 5 largest real estate enterprises in Vietnam by 2025.
• Artelia GroupcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject Management partner for Sunbay Park Hotel & Resort Phan Rang project, a major marine leisure and entertainment complex in Vietnam.
• DeltacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral Contractor for Sunbay Park Hotel & Resort Phan Rang project, responsible for construction execution.
• Crystal BaystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestor and developer partner for Sunbay Park Hotel & Resort Phan Rang, Vietnam's first Aparthotel model and second 5-star beach entertainment complex.
• Vinaconex-ITCstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper and investor for Cai Gia Tourism Urban Area (Cat Ba Amatina) project, a 172 hectare tourism destination with 1 billion USD total investment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AtkinsRéalis: Global design, engineering, and project management consultancy with significant Asia operations. Comparable as integrated design-plus-project-management competitor; broader engineering scope and far greater scale than NDA.
• Gensler: World's largest architecture/design firm with broad Asia presence and hospitality practice. Competes with NDA for large-scale mixed-use and hospitality commissions, but operates at significantly greater scale across all sectors.
• CallisonRTKL: International architecture and planning firm with established Asia-Pacific practice and mixed-use/hospitality focus. Comparable project types but operates as part of larger Arcadis group with broader service offering.
• Foster + Partners: Global architecture powerhouse with Asia masterplanning and hospitality projects. Overlaps with NDA on urban planning and large-scale destination design, but operates from premium global brand position with much broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• WATG (Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo): Specialist hospitality architecture and design firm with deep Asia presence. Closely comparable to NDA's hotel/resort lead-consultant model and luxury/boutique hospitality design positioning.
• Benoy: UK-headquartered international design firm with established Asia operations and mixed-use, hospitality, and urban planning capabilities. Similar mid-sized scale and integrated design-services positioning to NDA.
• Woods Bagot: International architecture and design practice with strong hospitality and interiors expertise across Asia-Pacific. Closely comparable to NDA's integrated design-plus-hospitality consulting model and Asia-led project portfolio.
• Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA): Leading hospitality interior design firm serving global hotel brands. Comparable to NDA's interior design and hospitality consultancy services for hotel/resort clients across Asia.
• Aedas: Global architecture firm with deep Asia presence and significant hospitality/urban design practice. Directly comparable to NDA in scale (~1,000+ staff across Asia), geographic footprint, and mixed-use/hospitality project focus.

Emerging players

• Populous: Global architecture firm specializing in sports, entertainment, and venue design with Asia expansion. Partially comparable on the 'Design for Performance' philosophy category and landmark entertainment/hospitality venues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ndateam_design
• Xx.com/follownewdesign
• Facebookfacebook.com/NDAteam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nda-group-new-design-associates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 NDA Group