Atkin Olshin Schade Architects

What Atkin Olshin Schade Architects does

Atkin Olshin Schade Architects is a Philadelphia-based architecture firm founded in 1979 that provides integrated design, interior design, preservation, and planning services. Its client base spans educational institutions (including UPenn, Princeton, Cornell, Dartmouth, Lehigh, Lafayette, Bryn Mawr), cultural institutions (Philadelphia Museum of Art, Academy of Music, Eastern State Penitentiary), religious organizations, tribal communities (notably the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico), and nonprofit service providers. Practice areas include new construction, adaptive reuse, historic restoration, campus master planning, and interior architecture, with projects ranging from 6,600 SF school wellness centers to multi-phased renovations of National Register landmarks.

The firm's underlying methodology is a future-oriented preservation philosophy that combines historic stewardship with contemporary program needs, supported by iterative energy and carbon modeling throughout project delivery and commitment to the AIA 2030 carbon-neutral target. Specialized technical expertise includes historic masonry restoration, exterior envelope repair, lime-based mortars, and integration of traditional construction techniques (adobe, mud plaster) with modern high-performance mechanical and glazing systems. Notable proprietary projects include Louis Kahn's Richards Medical Research Laboratory renovation (LEED CI Gold/Silver), College Hall at UPenn (LEED ID+C Gold, 2026), and the Siler Yard Arts + Creativity Center.

Revenue is generated through project-based professional service fees negotiated across multi-phase engagements (planning, design, construction administration) with institutional clients. The firm acquires work through direct principal-led outreach (Sam Olshin, FAIA), referrals, competitive RFPs, and repeat engagements with institutional clients. Operations are concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest regions with project reach extending to Connecticut, Indiana, North Carolina, Colorado, and New Hampshire. The firm is privately held by its four principals and has received consistent preservation and design industry recognition including the AIA Pennsylvania EPiC Firm Recognition for nine consecutive years and exhibition at the 2018 Venice Biennale.

Name

Atkin Olshin Schade Architects

Legal name

Atkin Olshin Schade Architects

Website

https://aosarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Atkin Olshin Schade Architects is a Philadelphia-based architecture, interior design, preservation, and planning firm founded in 1979, serving educational, cultural, religious, and tribal institutional clients across the Mid-Atlantic, Southwest, and other US regions with sustainable and historic-preservation-focused design.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Historic preservation
• Adaptive reuse design
• Interior architecture
• Campus master planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Professional fees for architecture, interiors, preservation, and planning services. Revenue generated through project-based engagements with educational, cultural, religious, and community clients. Projects range from new construction to historic restoration and adaptive reuse, with typical engagements spanning multiple phases from planning through construction completion.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Atkin Olshin Schade Architects is a Philadelphia-based architecture firm providing integrated design, interior architecture, historic preservation, restoration, adaptive reuse, and master planning services for educational, cultural, religious, governmental, and tribal institutional clients. Engagements typically span planning, design, and construction administration for new construction, renovation, and restoration projects, with an emphasis on sustainable design and stewardship of historic structures.

Product overview

Atkin Olshin Schade Architects is an award-winning architecture, interiors, preservation, and planning firm founded in 1979. The firm offers integrated architectural services including design, preservation/restoration, interior design, and planning services. Their portfolio spans educational institutions, cultural facilities, housing developments, religious institutions, tribal communities, and workplace environments. The firm is particularly known for historic preservation, sustainable design (including LEED-certified projects), and adaptive reuse projects that balance heritage with contemporary needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture and Design Services Full-service architecture firm providing integrated new construction, renovation, master planning, interior architecture, and preservation services for institutional, educational, cultural, religious, and tribal clients, delivered across all project phases from concept through construction administration.
• Historic Preservation and Restoration Specialty services for the preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of National Register-listed and landmark structures, including expert masonry and exterior envelope repair, conditions assessments, and phased restoration master plans (e.g., College Hall, Academy of Music, Lansdowne Theater, Richards Medical Research Laboratory, Owe'neh Bupingeh).
• Interior Design Interior architecture and design services for institutional, educational, and cultural facilities, supporting renovations, adaptive reuse, and fit-out of academic, residential, museum, performing arts, and workplace interiors.
• Planning Services Campus master planning, site development planning, and strategic facility planning services for institutional and cultural clients, including preservation master plans, campus-wide implementation strategies, and visitor/circulation planning for historic sites.
• Sustainability Consulting Sustainable design and LEED consulting integrated across projects, including iterative energy and carbon modeling, tracking, and verification, pursuit of LEED ID+C/BD+C certifications, and alignment with the AIA 2030 carbon-neutral commitment.

Quantifiable outcome

• LEED ID+C Gold Certification achieved for College Hall (2026)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Historic Lansdowne Theater CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed restoration of historic Lansdowne Theater (1927, National Register-listed) in partnership with Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation and Materials Conservation. Project included exterior masonry restoration, interior auditorium renovation, and new performance support spaces. Multiple award recognition for 2025-2026.
• Historic Preservation OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative relationships with Preservation Pennsylvania, Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, and Delaware County Heritage Commission for preservation projects including Lansdowne Theater, Academy of Music, and Eastern State Penitentiary.
• Ohkay Owingeh Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership on Owe'neh Bupingeh Preservation Project with Ohkay Owingeh (Santo Domingo Pueblo) Housing Authority. Multi-phase adobe restoration with HUD funding, Pueblo workforce training in traditional construction techniques. Multiple national awards including National Trust/ACHP Award and Harvard Kennedy School Honoring Nations Award.
• US Green Building Council / AIA 2030 CommitmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignatory to AIA 2030 Commitment, member of US Green Building Council. Committed to carbon neutral buildings and renovations within next decade. Published 2020-30 Sustainability Action Plan.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AOSarchitects
• Facebookfacebook.com/atkinolshinschadearchitects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Atkin Olshin Schade Architects