BLDGS

What BLDGS does

BLDGS is a full-service architecture practice founded in 2006/2007 in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in architectural design, interior design, adaptive reuse, residential architecture, and landscape/public realm projects. The firm serves institutional, corporate, cultural, and private clients, with documented projects spanning higher education (Georgia Institute of Technology, Davidson College), corporate and commercial interiors (BMW Technical Training Center, Bloomberg News Bureau Atlanta, Steelcase WorkLife showrooms in Atlanta and Washington DC), arts and cultural institutions (Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Woodruff Arts Center, Whitespace Gallery, Hambidge Center), religious institutions (Congregation Or Hadash Synagogue), and adaptive reuse developments (222 Mitchell with Newport US RE). Its technical differentiation rests on expertise in adaptive reuse of existing structures, sustainable design practices including LEED-certified projects, micro-climatic zone design, and integrally developed facade systems tuned to local climate.

The firm is led by co-founders and principals David Yocum and Brian Bell, each with 26 years of professional experience, both registered architects with NCARB certification, and both serving as Professors of the Practice at Georgia Institute of Technology College of Design. The team is small (11–50 employees, with approximately 20 listed past contributors) and operates from a converted live/work studio at 786 Murphy Ave SW in Atlanta, which itself was the firm's first project — Villa de Murph.

BLDGS generates revenue through project-based professional services fees, structured across standard architecture phases (Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Construction Administration). The go-to-market model is sales-led and direct, with no intermediaries; commissions are acquired through competitions, direct client engagement, and repeat clients, supported by a strong awards profile (over 20 awards, including 2019 Georgia AIA Firm of the Year and 2017 Architectural League of New York Emerging Voices Award), academic visibility, and earned media in outlets such as the New York Times Sunday Magazine, Metropolis, and Architect's Newspaper. The firm is privately held with no disclosed external funding.

Name

BLDGS

Legal name

BLDGS

Website

https://bldgs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BLDGS is an Atlanta-based full-service architecture practice founded in 2007, delivering architectural, interior, adaptive reuse, and public realm design for higher education, corporate, arts, religious, and residential clients across the U.S. Southeast and select international projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Adaptive reuse projects
• Sustainable building design
• Commercial interior design
• Residential architecture services

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

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: BLDGS generates revenue through professional architecture and design services. Projects range from small residential additions to large institutional and commercial buildings. Revenue is project-based, typically with design fees, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration phases.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BLDGS is a full-service architecture practice that designs buildings, interiors, and public realm spaces through Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration phases. Its work spans cultural and arts facilities, university buildings, corporate offices, showrooms, religious institutions, residential projects, and adaptive reuse of historic structures, with an emphasis on sustainability and community-oriented design.

Product overview

BLDGS is an architecture firm offering a unified suite of design services centered on architectural design, interior design, adaptive reuse, residential architecture, and landscape/public realm projects. The firm's portfolio spans institutional work (museums, galleries, university buildings, corporate campuses, religious institutions) and residential projects, with a demonstrated focus on adaptive reuse and projects in the public realm. Projects like the Bloomberg News Bureau, Steelcase WorkLife showrooms, Georgia Tech Campus Center, and BMW Training Center showcase the firm's capabilities across different building types and scales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Full-service architecture practice delivering design for museums, galleries, university buildings, corporate offices, campuses, and religious institutions, with a focus on adaptive reuse and public realm projects. Services are delivered across Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, and Construction Administration phases.
• Interior Design Interior design services for corporate offices, showrooms, and hospitality spaces, with featured work including the LEED Gold Steelcase WorkLife Atlanta and LEED Certified Steelcase WorkLife DC showrooms.
• Adaptive Reuse Design Renovation and transformation of existing and historic structures for new uses, including auto shops, carriage houses, and commercial buildings, with featured projects such as 222 Mitchell ($100M redevelopment) and Congregation Or Hadash Synagogue.
• Residential Architecture Custom residential architecture for private clients, including single-family homes, additions, and live-work spaces, with a focus on innovative design in urban settings and sustainability.
• Landscape and Public Realm Design Landscape and public realm design including pavilions, memorials, and outdoor gathering spaces, exemplified by the Piedmont Park Promenade and The Portal memorial at Davidson College.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2019 Georgia AIA Firm of the Year - highest recognition given by AIA Georgia for design excellence and community leadership
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Handel Architects: New York-based architecture firm with strong adaptive reuse and large-scale commercial/institutional portfolio. Comparable to BLDGS in urban infill, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse expertise for major clients.
• Studio Gang: Chicago-based practice known for public realm and urban design with strong sustainability focus. Comparable to BLDGS in commitment to civic-minded, research-driven design and emphasis on architecture serving broader societal needs.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based studio recognized for high-end residential, adaptive reuse, and craft-driven architecture. Comparable to BLDGS in award-winning design-led practice and emphasis on buildings that engage materiality and context.
• Adjaye Associates: Global studio renowned for cultural institutions, museums, and public architecture. Comparable to BLDGS in its focus on arts/cultural clients, community-driven projects, and award-winning design pedigree.
• KieranTimberlake: Philadelphia-based practice known for sustainability research, high-performance facades, and adaptive reuse. Comparable to BLDGS in micro-climatic/facade innovation, LEED-certified work, and academic-style research-driven design.
• Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects: Atlanta-based architecture studio co-founded by two Georgia Tech College of Design professors with strong academic-practice alignment. Comparable to BLDGS in size, Atlanta location, Georgia Tech teaching role, and focus on public realm and institutional projects.
• Snøhetta: International architecture and design practice known for adaptive reuse, public realm, cultural institutions, and LEED-certified projects. Comparable to BLDGS in mission-driven, sustainability-led approach and cultural/commercial client mix.
• Lake|Flato Architects: San Antonio-based studio known for sustainable design, adaptive reuse, and cultural/institutional work, with comparable focus on LEED-certified buildings, civic architecture, and a similar principal-led boutique model.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with a deep commercial/institutional practice and strong sustainability/Living Building portfolio. Comparable to BLDGS in higher-education and corporate-client work, but at far larger scale and broader service lines.
• Gensler: Global design firm with industry-leading corporate interiors, workplace, and showroom practice. Comparable to BLDGS in serving clients like Bloomberg and Steelcase but operating at vastly greater scale with full commercial interiors capability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bldgs

Compliance2 records

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 BLDGS