Yuji Yamazaki Architecture

What Yuji Yamazaki Architecture does

Yuji Yamazaki Architecture (YYA) is a New York-based private architecture firm founded in 2012 by Yuji Yamazaki, a Columbia-trained (MS Landscape Design) and SVA/FIT-trained (BFA Interior Design) architect who also leads the practice as principal. The firm operates an interdisciplinary model combining architecture, interiors, landscape, and product design under a single studio at 27 West 20th Street, Manhattan, with 11-50 employees. Its portfolio centers on luxury, sustainable hospitality in environmentally sensitive island and wilderness locations, with world-first projects including The Muraka underwater villa at Conrad Maldives, the Kudadoo Maldives Private Island (the Maldives' first 100% solar-powered private island resort), and Finolhu Villas (the Maldives' first fully solar-powered five-star resort). Technical capabilities include underwater acrylic structural engineering, photovoltaic roof integration treated as architectural ornament, passive cross-ventilation design, and minimal-footprint stilt construction enabling removable, low-impact builds.

Revenue is project-based, generated through commissions for architecture, interior, landscape, and product design services — with no publicly disclosed pricing tiers. Clients fall into three segments: luxury hospitality developers and operators (Hilton/Conrad, Club Med via Finolhu, Anantara, Kudadoo, Kagi, Hurawalhi); government and aviation infrastructure (Maldives Airport Company Ltd for the Velana International Airport VIP/CIP complex and seaplane lounges); and premium fashion brands (Theory for U.S. flagships; Calvin Klein Underwear for its Tokyo Harajuku store). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales via direct commissions and reputation-driven referrals; the firm does not advertise or maintain a public sales pipeline, relying instead on Forbes, Architectural Digest, Robb Report, Condé Nast Traveler, German Design Award, and Apple TV+ exposure for inbound demand.

Sustainability is delivered as measurable ROI: the Kudadoo 320 kWp solar array reportedly pays back in roughly five years through diesel elimination; Finolhu's solar system in seven to eight years; and natural ventilation at Finolhu means most guests forgo air conditioning despite a tropical climate. Geographic reach spans Maldives, Seychelles, South Africa, Mexico, UAE (proposed), Japan, Switzerland, France, Korea, Kenya, Guyana, and the USA.

Name

Yuji Yamazaki Architecture

Legal name

Yuji Yamazaki Architecture PLLC

Website

https://yyany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

New York-based boutique architecture firm established in 2012, specializing in luxury sustainable hospitality design with pioneering expertise in underwater, solar-powered, and minimalist tropical architecture serving resort developers, governments, and premium fashion brands globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Beachfront & Island Luxury Resorts (THAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Eco-Resorts (THAGACAK), Luxury Beachfront & Waterfront Villas (THAMAEAE)

Keywords

• Hospitality architecture
• Luxury resort design
• Interior design services
• Landscape architecture
• Product design services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Interior Design Services: YYA generates revenue through commissions for architecture, interiors, landscape, and product design services for hospitality and residential projects. Revenue is project-based, typically commissioned by luxury resort developers, hotel operators, and private clients. Projects range from small retail spaces to large-scale resort developments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Yuji Yamazaki Architecture provides interdisciplinary design services covering architecture, interiors, landscape, and product design for luxury hospitality, ultra-high-net-worth residential, and premium retail projects. The firm commissions end-to-end design of high-end resorts (overwater, underwater, and safari lodge), branded retail environments, and transportation infrastructure such as airport VIP complexes, working primarily with international luxury hotel operators, private island developers, fashion brands, and tourism authorities.

Product overview

Yuji Yamazaki Architecture (YYA) is a New York-based interdisciplinary design firm offering architecture, interiors, landscape, and product design services with particular expertise in high-end hospitality. Their portfolio includes notable projects such as: Kudadoo Maldives Private Island (the world's first fully solar-powered resort), The Muraka Undersea Residence (the first underwater villa in the Maldives), Lepogo Lodges/Noka Camp (luxury safari lodges in South Africa), Kagi Wellness Spa Island (wellness-focused resort), Finolhu Villas (Maldives' first entirely solar-powered five-star resort), and various commercial retail projects for brands like Theory and Calvin Klein. The firm also designs transportation infrastructure including airport VIP complexes and seaplane lounges at Maldivian airports. Their work emphasizes sustainability, natural integration, and Japanese-influenced minimalist aesthetics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture, Interiors, Landscape, and Product Design Services YYA's core interdisciplinary design service covering architecture, interiors, landscape, and product design for high-end hospitality, ultra-high-net-worth residential, and premium retail clients internationally.
• Luxury Hospitality Architecture & Resort Design End-to-end architecture, interior, and landscape design for luxury hospitality projects including overwater villas, underwater residences, safari lodges, and large-scale resort developments; clients include Hilton, Conrad, and Club Med.
• Luxury Retail Store Architecture & Brand Identity Design Architecture and interior design for premium and luxury fashion brand flagship retail stores, including global rollout templates (e.g., Theory, Calvin Klein).
• Transportation & Tourism Infrastructure Design Architecture and interior design of airport VIP/CIP complexes, seaplane lounges, and tourism-supporting transportation infrastructure for government and aviation clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kudadoo solar system pays for itself in 5 years through diesel fuel elimination
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ahmed Saleem (Local Executive Architect)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018For The Muraka project at Conrad Maldives, YYA worked with local executive architect Ahmed Saleem to execute the design. This partnership was essential for navigating local Maldivian building regulations, construction practices, and environmental requirements.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SB Architects: SB Architects is a boutique architecture firm specializing in luxury resort and hospitality design, with deep expertise in tropical and island destinations. Comparable to YYA in target segment (luxury island resorts), boutique scale, and resort-focused portfolio.
• Clodagh Design: Clodagh Design is a New York-based wellness- and sustainability-focused interior design firm with luxury hospitality projects. Comparable to YYA on the sustainability- and wellness-driven design philosophy and luxury hospitality positioning.
• Yabu Pushelberg: Yabu Pushelberg is a boutique luxury hospitality and interior design firm known for high-end hotel and resort projects. Comparable to YYA as a prestigious small-scale design firm targeting luxury hospitality with strong brand reputation.
• Champalimaud Design: Champalimaud Design is a New York-based luxury hospitality interior design firm serving ultra-luxury hotel brands. Closely comparable in boutique scale, design-led positioning, and ultra-luxury hospitality client segment.
• Studio Sofield: Studio Sofield is a New York-based luxury interior design and architecture firm led by William Sofield, with strong luxury hotel and residential practice. Comparable to YYA as a boutique New York design firm targeting ultra-luxury hospitality and residential clients with principal-led brand positioning.
• Rockwell Group: Rockwell Group is a New York-based cross-disciplinary design firm spanning architecture, interiors, and set design with strong hospitality practice. Comparable to YYA on the integrated architecture/interior design model and luxury hospitality focus, though larger in scale and broader in scope.
• WATG: WATG is one of the world's largest hospitality-focused architecture firms, designing luxury resorts and hotels globally. Directly comparable as a specialist architecture practice serving luxury resort developers, though at significantly larger scale than YYA.
• Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA): HBA is the world's largest hospitality-focused interior design firm, serving luxury hotel and resort brands globally. Comparable to YYA on the interior design portion of its practice, with similar luxury hotel operator client base (Hilton, Marriott, IHG).
• André Fu Studio (AFSO): André Fu Studio is a Hong Kong-based luxury hospitality design firm known for high-end hotel and resort projects across Asia and beyond. Comparable to YYA as a boutique designer-led firm targeting luxury hospitality with strong regional brand positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Gensler: Gensler is one of the world's largest global architecture and design firms with a significant hospitality practice. Comparable as a competitor for high-end hospitality commissions, though much broader in scope and offering non-hospitality practice areas that YYA does not.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yya-yuji-yamazaki-architecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Yuji Yamazaki Architecture