What DNA Architects does

DNA Architects is a privately held, full-service architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Braddon, Australian Capital Territory, operating since 2001. The practice is owned and led by four Directors — Glen Dowse, Ross Norwood, Rob Henry, and Aj Bala — supported by an associate, senior designers, architects, architectural professionals, building designers, and a studio coordinator, totaling approximately 15–20 personnel. The firm serves individual homeowners, property developers, and commercial clients across the ACT and New South Wales, with a portfolio spanning custom residential, multi-residential developments, interior design, and commercial projects that includes large anchor engagements such as the Avia 123-dwelling development for Base Developments and the CDC Fyshwick Data Centre.

The firm's core technology stack centers on 3D modeling and Virtual Reality visualization, enabling clients to explore projects on-screen and in immersive VR walkthroughs during the design development phase. In parallel, the practice deliberately employs hand-drawn sketching during preliminary design to preserve flexibility before committing to CAD-based documentation. Service delivery follows a structured seven-stage process: initial meeting, preliminary design, design development, approvals, tendering (with both half-tender and full-tender documentation options), construction documentation, and final inspection, alongside contract administration.

DNA Architects operates a project-based professional services revenue model, with fees determined through consultation and disclosed budget tiers on its contact form ranging from A$50K to A$500K+. Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, combining direct client engagement, builder and developer referral networks, earned media coverage in regional outlets, and a multi-channel digital presence across its website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. The practice has accumulated an extensive award record from the Master Builders Association, Housing Industry Association, and Australian Institute of Architects, including a 2024 HIA National Townhouse Villa Development of the Year and eight 2025 awards across residential, heritage, and medium-density categories.

Name

DNA Architects

Legal name

DNA Architects Pty Ltd

Website

https://dnaa.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DNA Architects is a privately held, full-service architecture and interior design firm in Canberra, ACT, founded in 2001. It delivers residential, multi-residential, commercial, and interior projects across the ACT and NSW using 3D modeling and VR visualization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK), Historic Preservation & Conservation Planning (BPAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Residential architecture
• Multi-residential design
• Interior architecture
• Commercial architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural design including residential, multi-residential, commercial, and interior projects. Revenue generated through project-based fees with options for Half Tender (basic documentation) or Full Tender (detailed documentation) service levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DNA Architects is a full-service architecture firm providing custom residential, multi-residential, interior, and commercial architectural design services. The firm delivers end-to-end project delivery from initial discovery and design through approvals, tendering, construction documentation, and final inspection, incorporating 3D modeling and Virtual Reality visualization for client walkthroughs.

Product overview

DNA Architects operates as a full-service architecture and interior design firm offering four integrated service lines: Residential Architecture, Multi-Residential Architecture, Interior Design, and Commercial Architecture. The firm provides end-to-end project delivery from initial discovery and design through to approvals, tendering, construction documentation, and final inspection. Their design process incorporates Virtual Reality exploration for clients to visualize projects. The company has an established in-house interior design team that also works independently on smaller interior projects, and serves both large-scale commercial developers and individual residential clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture Services Custom residential architectural design services including new homes, renovations, and alterations tailored to individual client needs, lifestyles, and site characteristics.
• Multi-Residential Architecture Services Multi-unit residential development design including townhouses, apartments, and dual occupancies, focused on community generation, natural light, privacy, and modern conveniences.
• Interior Design Services Comprehensive interior design services for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, working on both large-scale architectural projects and independent smaller projects.
• Commercial Architecture Services Architectural and planning services for commercial projects ranging from large-scale property developments to industrial buildings, including design, technical proficiency, and project management.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Base DevelopmentsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper client for Avia project - 123 dwellings (27 townhouses and 96 apartments) in Googong. DNA Architects provided complete architectural design services for this major multi-residential development.
• Milin BuildersmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction partner for Avia project. DNA Architects collaborated with Milin Builders for delivery of this large-scale residential development.
• Preferred BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborative construction partner for The Nest residential project. Worked alongside DNA Architects and the client (The Oliver's) to deliver a custom home.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bates Smart: One of Australia's largest and most awarded architecture firms, with residential, multi-residential, interiors, and commercial capabilities. Competes with DNA for higher-end residential and commercial work but operates nationally at a much larger scale.
• Cox Architecture: Major Australian architecture firm with residential, multi-residential, commercial, and interiors practices. Larger and more diversified than DNA, with overlapping capabilities and award profile.
• Hassell: International design practice with significant Australian presence across residential, commercial, and interiors. Overlaps with DNA's commercial and interiors work but at far greater scale and geographic reach.
• Fender Katsalidis: Australian architecture firm known for high-density residential, multi-residential, and commercial projects. Competes for multi-residential developer work in the same segment as DNA, but at a national scale.

Direct peers

• Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB): Australian architecture firm with a residential, multi-residential, and interiors focus. Comparable in service mix, design-led positioning, and award profile, though headquartered in Melbourne rather than Canberra.
• Pop Architecture: Canberra-based architecture practice with a similar multi-residential, residential, and interiors focus. Comparable in scale, geographic footprint, and service mix, making it the closest like-for-like competitor in the ACT market.
• Smart Design Studio: Australian design firm with residential, multi-residential, and commercial architecture practices. Overlaps with DNA's design-led, residential-heavy positioning and developer client model.
• Mathieson Architects: ACT-based architecture practice with overlapping residential, multi-residential, and interiors work. Comparable in size, regional concentration, and developer client base to DNA.
• Architectus: Australian architecture practice with multi-residential, residential, and interiors practices across major cities. Overlaps directly with DNA's service lines and developer-led project model, though at a larger national scale.
• Collard Clarke Jackson (CCJ): Canberra architecture firm with a strong residential, multi-residential, and commercial portfolio. Similar size and developer client base, competing directly for ACT project wins.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dnaarchitects4645
• Facebookfacebook.com/DNAArchitectsCanberra
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dna-architects-pty-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/dna_architects/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 DNA Architects