LKV Architects

What LKV Architects does

LKV Architects is a privately held professional architectural partnership headquartered in Boise, Idaho, founded in 1975 by Darrell Leatham and Kent Krohn. The firm provides full-service architectural design across master planning, programming, construction documentation, and construction administration phases, leveraging standard industry tools including AutoCAD, Revit, 3D computer-modeling/rendering, and the Masterspec specifications system. Service delivery spans competitive bidding, design/build, CM/GC, and construction management methods, with project scope ranging from small renovations to facilities with construction values up to approximately $60 million.

The firm is vertically specialized in institutional and public-sector clients, with primary segments being K-12 school districts (19 in Idaho, 4 in Oregon), higher education institutions (including Boise State University and Blue Mountain Community College), State of Idaho Division of Public Works, and religious institutions. Notable project work includes Swan Falls High School for Kuna School District ($20M, 1,500-student facility), Lewiston High School ($60M, 244,000 sq ft), and the State of Idaho Capitol Mall Parking Garage ($15.5M). The firm has been selected on a multi-project basis by clients such as West Ada School District, with whom it has completed 23 elementary school designs over 40 years.

LKV operates on project-based professional service fees scoped by construction value and complexity, with no publicly disclosed pricing. Customer acquisition is driven by RFPs, bond elections, government procurement, and repeat/referral business — supported by a website portfolio and 50-year regional brand reputation rather than outbound sales. The firm is currently led by four partners (Amber Van Ocker, Brook Thornton, Toby Norskog, Ron Polintan) following a 2022 generational transition that added Norskog and Polintan as partners. LKV has selectively partnered with YGH Architects on larger Boise State University projects (Norco Health & Wellness Center, BSU Aquatics Center) to extend capacity for institutional work exceeding its solo bandwidth.

Name

LKV Architects

Legal name

LKV Architects

Website

https://lkvarchitects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LKV Architects is a 50-year-old Boise-based architectural partnership specializing in K-12 education, higher education, and public-sector facility design across Idaho and Oregon, serving school districts, universities, and state agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Architectural services
• K-12 educational design
• Higher education facilities
• Government building design
• Commercial architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

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, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services - Professional Fees: Full-service architectural firm providing design services from initial project master planning and programming through design and construction to commissioning and post-occupancy evaluations. Revenue is generated through professional service fees on project-based engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

LKV Architects is a professional architectural services firm delivering full-scope design services from initial project master planning and programming through design, construction documentation, construction administration, commissioning, and post-occupancy evaluations. The firm serves K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, state and local government agencies, religious organizations, and commercial/retail and residential clients across Idaho and Oregon, with experience in multiple construction delivery methods including traditional competitive bidding, design/build, CM/GC, and construction management.

Product overview

LKV Architects offers a full range of architectural services for a wide array of project types and construction delivery methods. Services range from initial project master planning and programming, through design and construction, to commissioning and post-occupancy evaluations. The firm's service portfolio includes Programming Services utilizing AutoCAD, Revit, and 3D modeling; Construction Documentation & Preparation; Construction Delivery Methods (competitive bidding, design/build, CM/GC); Master/Land Planning; Building Feasibility & Code Analysis; and Construction Administration. The firm specializes in K-12 educational facilities, government buildings, commercial/retail, religious facilities, residential, and higher education projects across Idaho and Oregon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programming Services Works closely with clients and building users to define all aspects of the required building program, leveraging AutoCAD drafting, Revit, 3D computer-modeling/rendering, and the Masterspec specifications format. Targeted at institutional and commercial clients initiating new building projects.
• Construction Documentation & Preparation Preparation of detailed construction documentation for bidding and construction, aligned with the Masterspec specifications system to simplify bidding, expedite construction, and assure complete client satisfaction. Serves clients through the design-to-bid transition.
• Construction Delivery Methods Architectural services supporting multiple construction delivery methods including traditional competitive bidding, design/build, Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC), and construction management. Enables clients to select the procurement approach that fits their project.
• Master/Land Planning Development of long-range master planning and land use plans to guide clients with future expansion and development needs. Targeted at school districts, universities, and organizations planning phased growth.
• Building Feasibility & Code Analysis Analysis of building materials and systems for economy, versatility, and longevity, with ongoing education regarding land use, life safety, and building code requirements. Targeted at owners evaluating site and program feasibility.
• Construction Administration Construction administration and surveillance services tailored to specific client and project needs, ranging from occasional site visits to complete owner representation during construction. Supports clients through project closeout and commissioning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully completed projects with costs up to $59M
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• YGH ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLKV Architects collaborated with YGH Architects on Boise State University projects including the Norco Health & Wellness Center (81,291 sq ft, four-story facility) and the BSU Aquatics Center (17,900 sq ft addition). YGH served as design partner with LKV providing architectural services on these higher education projects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• TMP Architecture: Education-focused architecture firm serving K-12 and higher education clients across the Western U.S. Comparable specialization in learning environments, though generally operating in different geographies than LKV.

Direct peers

• Integrus Architecture: Pacific Northwest architecture firm with offices in Spokane and Seattle focused on K-12, higher education, and civic projects. Comparable in size, mission, and project types to LKV across the broader Inland Northwest.
• BBL Architects: Pacific Northwest architecture firm specializing in K-12 educational facilities across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Closely comparable niche focus on school design with similar project scale.
• YGH Architects: Boise/Twin Falls-based architecture firm with a deep K-12 and higher education practice across Idaho. Directly comparable as an existing LKV design partner on BSU projects, serving the same institutional clients in the same regional market.
• Legat Architects: Mid-sized architecture firm with a long-standing K-12 and higher education practice. Comparable in firm size, project scale, and educational design specialization, though primarily serving the Midwest.
• Hummel Architects: Boise-based architectural firm of similar size serving K-12, higher education, healthcare, and government clients across Idaho. Directly comparable in scale, geographic focus, and institutional client mix.
• CSHQA: Boise-based full-service architecture and engineering firm with a substantial K-12 and government practice across Idaho. Direct regional competitor for the same school district, state, and higher education RFPs.

Broad incumbents

• HDR Architects: Global architecture and engineering firm with substantial K-12 and civic practices. Competes with LKV for larger state and university projects where broader multidisciplinary services are required.
• DLR Group: Large national architecture and engineering firm with a nationally recognized K-12 and higher education practice. Competes against LKV on larger institutional pursuits across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
• CannonDesign: Major national architecture, engineering, and planning firm with deep higher education and K-12 practices. Overlap with LKV in institutional design, particularly for university clients seeking broader service offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lkvarch
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lkv-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 LKV Architects