Curran Architecture
Curran Architecture is a privately held Indianapolis architecture firm that designs retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, and mixed-use spaces for U.S. businesses. Founded in 2003 and licensed in 39-45 states, it serves national franchise clients (Firehouse Subs, Massage Envy, Taco Bell) and regional healthcare, industrial, and corporate customers with a ~20-person team.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersIndianapolis, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Curran Architecture does
Curran Architecture is a privately held, Indianapolis-based architecture firm founded in 2003 by Shawn Curran, operating as a professional services practice with a current team of approximately 16-20 architects, project managers, and support staff. The firm designs retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, and mixed-use spaces for businesses across the United States, and is licensed to practice in 39-45 states. Its core service offering is full-scope architecture — concept design through construction administration — delivered through standard industry tools including AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit/BIM, CREO, and Adobe Creative Suite, with 3D printing and 3D animation used for visualization.
The firm organizes its practice around five primary verticals: retail and franchise rollouts (notably Firehouse Subs with 55+ locations, Massage Envy with 21, Taco Bell with 12+, and LIDS), medical and healthcare facilities (Moore Dentistry, Ossip Optometry, Companion Animal Hospital), industrial and manufacturing buildings (Brybelly's 200,000 sq ft facility, Schmoll Industrial Park, Weas Engineering), corporate offices (Heritage Group, Moser Consulting, Brooks Running), and mixed-use developments (The Illiana). Distribution is direct-to-client: the firm uses its website inquiry form, phone, email, and a referral network cultivated over 20+ years of repeat engagements, with no resellers or marketplace channels. Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees quoted per engagement.
Ownership rests with three partners — founder Shawn Curran (President), Melissa Garrison (Principal, joined 2012, partner 2022), and David Wagner (Project Architect, joined 2008, partner 2022) — with no external investors, parent company, or institutional funding disclosed. The firm relocated in late 2024 to an 11,000 sq ft space in the historic PX Building at the former Fort Benjamin Harrison Army Base in Indianapolis to accommodate ongoing headcount growth of 1-2 staff per year, and received the inaugural AIA Indiana Emerging Professional Friendly Recognition in 2024.
Curran Architecture firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Curran Architecture
- Legal name
- Curran Architecture
- Website
- https://curran-architecture.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Curran Architecture is a privately held Indianapolis architecture firm that designs retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, and mixed-use spaces for U.S. businesses. Founded in 2003 and licensed in 39-45 states, it serves national franchise clients (Firehouse Subs, Massage Envy, Taco Bell) and regional healthcare, industrial, and corporate customers with a ~20-person team.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Curran Architecture is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Indianapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Curran Architecture business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Architecture and Design Services: Custom architecture and design services for retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, and mixed-use projects. Revenue generated through project-based fees for design, construction documents, and project management services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Curran Architecture product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Curran Architecture is a client-first architecture firm that provides full-service architectural design from concept through construction administration for retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, hospitality, and mixed-use spaces. Engagements are project-based and custom-scoped, encompassing programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and project management. The firm serves national clients across multiple states using CAD, BIM, SketchUp, 3D printing, and 3D animation, with partners directly involved in client relationships.
Product overview
Curran Architecture is an Indianapolis-based architecture firm offering comprehensive architectural design services across multiple sectors. The firm operates as a single integrated service practice rather than a platform-based product model. Their core service offerings span hospitality, industrial, medical office, office, retail, and mixed-use architecture. The firm specializes in retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, and mixed-use spaces for businesses across the nation. Key project types include veterinary hospitals, dental offices, restaurants, warehouses, office buildings, and fire stations. The company was founded in 2003 and has grown from a one-person operation to a team of approximately 16-18 professionals, with three partners (Shawn Curran, Melissa Garrison, and David Wagner) leading the firm.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hospitality Architecture Services Architecture and design services for hospitality venues including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities, delivered from concept through construction administration for hospitality operators across the U.S.
- Industrial Architecture Services Design and architecture for industrial facilities including warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers, optimizing workflow, storage, and employee environment for industrial operators.
- Medical Office Architecture Services Architecture services for medical and healthcare facilities including veterinary hospitals, dental offices, optometry clinics, and medical office buildings, designing welcoming yet clinically functional environments.
- Office Architecture Services Commercial office space design and architecture services for corporate clients, including new builds, headquarters renovations, and workplace modernization that maximizes natural light and collaboration.
- Retail Architecture Services Architecture design for retail spaces, storefronts, shopping centers, and franchise locations, enabling brand-consistent multi-state rollouts that adapt prototypes to local site and code conditions.
- Mixed-Use Architecture Services Design services for combined-use developments integrating residential, commercial, and retail spaces, balancing multiple uses, cohesive design, and diverse tenant attraction.
Quantifiable outcome
- 55+ Firehouse Subs locations completed
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Curran Architecture
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Curran Architecture technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Curran Architecture partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Lumbermen's Inc.minorMichigan-based construction supplier funded the launch of ZeroLandfill Indy chapter. With their funding, ZeroLandfill Indy launched its first weeklong sorting event in November 2014. The program transforms discarded design samples into art materials for teachers and artists.
- McGee DesignHousecoreMelinda McGee of McGee DesignHouse collaborated with Curran Architecture on Dr. Rader's independent practice project. The firms have a relationship dating back nearly two decades to Carson Design where both Shawn Curran and Melinda worked before opening their own firms. They bring complementary expertise in architecture and interior design to healthcare projects.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Curran Architecture competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Schmidt Associates: Indianapolis architecture and engineering firm with similar vertical breadth (commercial, healthcare, civic) — competes for Indianapolis regional projects.
- Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf: Indianapolis architecture firm with similar boutique size and mixed-sector focus including commercial, healthcare, and education work — competes for the same local clients.
- RATIO Architects: Indianapolis-based architecture firm of similar scale with comparable mixed-use, commercial, and civic project portfolio — most direct local competitor.
- CSO Architects: Indianapolis-headquartered architecture firm with comparable scale, focused on commercial, healthcare, and community projects — competes directly in the Indianapolis market.
- Hastings+Chivetta: Mid-sized architecture firm with comparable boutique scale and mixed-sector focus (civic, education, commercial, hospitality) — similar service model and client size.
Broad incumbents
- DLR Group: National integrated design firm with strong civic, healthcare, and commercial portfolios — competes for the same enterprise and institutional clients as Curran.
- Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with strong healthcare, retail, and corporate practices — competes for the same enterprise client types Curran serves, at much larger scale.
- HDR Architecture: Large architecture/engineering firm with healthcare, civic, and commercial practices — competes for medical office and corporate work that Curran pursues.
- HKS: National architecture firm with leading healthcare and commercial practices — overlaps with Curran's medical office and corporate office work.
- Gensler: Largest global architecture firm with deep retail, hospitality, and commercial practices — overlaps with Curran's franchise and retail design work at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Curran Architecture social profiles
Digital presenceCurran Architecture compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Curran Architecture financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Curran Architecture leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Curran Architecture funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Curran Architecture M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Curran Architecture
What does Curran Architecture do?
Curran Architecture is a client-first architecture firm that provides full-service architectural design from concept through construction administration for retail, franchise, corporate, medical, industrial, hospitality, and mixed-use spaces. Engagements are project-based and custom-scoped, encompassing programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and project management. The firm serves national clients across multiple states using CAD, BIM, SketchUp, 3D printing, and 3D animation, with partners directly involved in client relationships.
Is Curran Architecture a public or private company?
Curran Architecture is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Curran Architecture founded?
Curran Architecture was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Curran Architecture based?
Curran Architecture is headquartered in Indianapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Curran Architecture make money?
One revenue line is on record: architecture and Design Services.
Who are Curran Architecture's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Schmidt Associates, Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf, RATIO Architects, CSO Architects and Hastings+Chivetta. Broad incumbents are DLR Group, Perkins&Will, HDR Architecture, HKS and Gensler.
Does Curran Architecture have an API?
No public API is recorded for Curran Architecture.