What Liederbach & Graham, Architects does

Liederbach & Graham, Architects LLP is a Chicago-based boutique architectural practice founded in 1991 by Phillip J. Liederbach and R. Michael Graham. The firm operates at a deliberately small scale of approximately 12 staff, with both principals personally involved in the design, production, and management of every project. Its portfolio centers on high-end traditional and classical residential architecture — single-family estates, townhouses, apartments (notably in the historic Palmolive Building), penthouses, and summer houses — executed in Georgian, French Revival, Provençal, and American Country styles. A secondary line of small institutional work (community houses and public libraries) supplements the residential practice.

The firm generates revenue through professional architectural design fees on a project-by-project basis, with no standardized pricing disclosed. Its go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: the practice cultivates direct relationships with sophisticated high-net-worth residential clients, supplemented by editorial coverage in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Luxe, and 20+ other shelter publications, and a sustained run of Acanthus Awards (six awards spanning 2014-2022), the Winnetka Preservation Award, and the Tucker Design Award. The firm holds affiliations with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art and the David Adler Cultural Center. Underlying technology is craft-based — traditional design methods with meticulous attention to materials, proportion, and detail — with no proprietary software, no AI tooling, and no platform or product offering beyond bespoke design services. Operating geographies span the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, with projects under development including an estate in Hinsdale, IL; an "Arch" project; and a Colorado Home.

The business model is intentionally constrained: the firm is structured as an LLP, privately held by its two founders, with no external capital, no acquisitions, no subsidiaries, and no parent entity. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The competitive position rests on partner-led execution, a 30-year track record of award-winning work, and an editorial/awards-driven referral pipeline into the luxury residential market — positioning the firm as a craft-driven practice rather than a scalable enterprise.

Name

Liederbach & Graham, Architects

Legal name

Liederbach and Graham, Architects LLP

Website

https://liederbachandgraham.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Liederbach & Graham, Architects is a Chicago-based, 12-person boutique architectural firm founded in 1991 that designs traditional and classical residential estates, apartments, and small institutional buildings for high-net-worth clients, with both principals involved on every project.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Residential architecture
• Classical architecture
• Architectural design
• Preservation restoration
• Institutional architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: The firm provides architectural services for domestic and small institutional commissions. Revenue is generated through professional fees for design and production of carefully crafted buildings.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Liederbach & Graham, Architects is a 12-person Chicago-based architectural practice founded in 1991 that provides design and production services for carefully crafted traditional and classical buildings. The firm's core offering centers on residential architecture for high-net-worth clients, including single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, penthouses, and summer houses, alongside small institutional commissions such as libraries and community houses. Partners Phillip J. Liederbach and R. Michael Graham are directly involved in every project from design through construction.

Product overview

Liederbach & Graham, Architects LLP is a Chicago-based architectural firm providing design and production services for carefully crafted buildings. The firm operates as a single unified service offering centered on architectural design, with a portfolio spanning residential architecture (single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, penthouses, summer houses) and small institutional commissions (libraries, community houses). Their design expertise covers traditional and classical styles including Georgian, French Revival, American Country, and Provencal. The firm specializes in projects ranging from new construction to preservation and restoration, offering specialized room and detail design services for entry halls, dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, wine cellars, conservatories, swimming pools, and other residential spaces. The core offering is architectural design services, with completed projects and works in progress forming the primary portfolio of built work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture Services Design and production of single-family residences, townhouses, apartments, penthouses, and summer houses featuring traditional and classical architectural styles including Georgian, French Revival, and American Country design for sophisticated high-net-worth clients.
• Institutional Architecture Services Design of small institutional commissions including public libraries and community houses for municipalities and small institutional clients.
• Rooms & Details Design Services Specialized design services for individual room types and architectural details including entry halls, stairs, dining rooms, kitchens, family rooms, living rooms, studies, bathrooms, wine cellars, porches, decks, conservatories, garages, closets, swimming pools and spas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple repeat clients indicating positive relationships and results

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA)minorOthersThe firm is associated with ICAA, a nonprofit membership organization committed to promoting and preserving the practice, understanding, and appreciation of classical design. This represents professional alignment rather than formal partnership.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cullman & Kravis: New York firm practicing interior design with strong classical and traditional residential portfolio. Overlaps with L&G's Rooms & Details offerings and HNW client base, with broader interior design scope.
• Ike Kligerman Barkley: New York and San Francisco classical architecture firm designing traditional and historically inspired residences. Highly comparable in style, scale, and target HNW client base.
• Ferguson & Shamamian Architects: New York-based classical architecture firm specializing in traditional and historically inspired residential and institutional projects. Directly comparable as a boutique, principal-led practice serving HNW clients with classical detail-driven design.
• Historical Concepts: Atlanta-based firm designing classical, traditional, and historically inspired residential and civic architecture. Comparable in stylistic focus, boutique model, and award-winning residential portfolio.
• Bobby McAlpine: Boutique architecture and interior design firm based in Birmingham/Montgomery, Alabama, designing classical luxury residences. Comparable in scale, HNW client focus, and traditional aesthetic.
• Ken Fulk Studio: San Francisco design studio covering architecture, interior design, and event design for luxury residential and hospitality clients. Comparable in delivering high-design HNW projects with strong brand and editorial presence.
• Peter Pennoyer Architects: NYC firm specializing in classical and historically informed residential, commercial, and institutional architecture. Comparable boutique size, classical aesthetic, and HNW clientele overlap directly with Liederbach & Graham's positioning.
• Hammond Beeby and Babka: Chicago firm where Phillip Liederbach worked prior to founding Liederbach & Graham. Practicing classical and contemporary architecture with comparable regional Midwest focus and stylistic lineage.

Emerging players

• John Saladino: Classical and traditional interior design practice with strong publication record. Comparable in classical aesthetic and HNW clientele, though focused primarily on interior rather than full architectural services.

Broad incumbents

• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: Large New York firm practicing contextual classicism, traditional, and modernist architecture across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. Overlaps stylistically with L&G but operates at much greater scale with a broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Liederbachandgraham

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Liederbach & Graham, Architects