IA Design

What IA Design does

IA Design (legal entity IA Group Pty Ltd, formerly Interiors Australia) is an Australian commercial architecture and interior design consultancy founded in 1997 as a management buyout from the Federal Government Department of Works. The firm is headquartered in Sydney and operates eight studios across every Australian state and territory (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart), employing between 101 and 250 staff. It serves federal and state government agencies, defence, and private sector enterprises across commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, and property sectors, with a customer list including HCF, Ausgrid, Alinta Energy, InterGen, HPS Pharmacies, Mirvac, Bennett, and Lucid Consulting. The current CEO, Andrew Whitelegg, acquired the business from prior owners in 2016 alongside private investors, and ownership remains private with no external venture or institutional capital disclosed.

The firm's service portfolio spans five core lines delivered on a project-fee basis: Interior Design, Architecture, Workplace Advisory (launched 2020), Project Services (launched 2023), and Security and Risk Management delivered through the InTec1 division with SCEC certification. Underlying technology is centred on industry-standard Building Information Modeling (BIM), VR visualisation for client presentations, and sustainable design practices targeting Green Star and NABERS ratings (a Torrens Edge Workplace project achieved 5 Star Green Star and 6 Star NABERS). Acquisition of Tall Architects in 2023 broadened architectural capability, and the firm holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications supporting government and defence procurement eligibility.

IA Design generates revenue primarily through project-based professional services fees negotiated directly with enterprise and government clients, with multi-year contract cadences common on larger engagements. Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise field sales, competitive tendering for government work, and referral networks through property advisors (CBRE, Knight Frank), building owners (Mirvac), and engineering partners (ACOR Consultants, SMEC, Arup, FDC Group). Customer concentration is distributed across named enterprise logos and government agencies but is weighted toward larger multi-floor fitouts and a material $20M+ book on the federal WA border infrastructure program.

Name

IA Design

Legal name

IA Group Pty Ltd

Website

https://iagroup.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IA Design is an Australian commercial architecture and interior design consultancy operating eight studios nationwide, delivering interior design, architecture, workplace advisory, project services, and SCEC-certified security design to government, defence, and private enterprise clients across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Architecture & Interior Design Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Commercial interior design
• Architectural consultancy
• Workplace advisory services
• Government fitout design
• Security risk consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Design Services: IA Design generates revenue through providing commercial architecture, interior design, workplace advisory, project services, and security & risk management consulting on a project fee basis. Services are delivered through direct client engagements for fit-out, refurbishment, and new construction projects across government, defence, and private sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

IA Design provides commercial interior design, architecture, workplace advisory, project services (superintendency, design management, planning and procurement), and integrated security and risk management (SCEC/InTec1) for government, defence, private commercial, healthcare, education, and property clients across Australia. Engagements span fit-out, refurbishment, and new build projects, delivered through eight national studios under a project-based professional services fee model.

Product overview

IA Design is a professional services firm offering a portfolio of complementary consultancy services rather than a unified software product. The core service offerings include Interior Design, Architecture, Workplace Advisory, Project Services, and Security and Risk Management (SCEC). These services work together to deliver end-to-end solutions for commercial, government, health, education, and hospitality projects across Australia, from initial strategy and design through to project delivery and security consulting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Interior Design Commercial interior design for workplaces and public spaces delivered for government agencies, private occupiers, building owners, and operators in education, hotels, hospitality, and retail. Spans fitout, refurbishment, and asset upgrade projects across Australia.
• Architecture Design and delivery services for government, asset owners and defence projects, specialising in fit-out and asset refurbishment including end-of-trip facilities, lobby and façade upgrades, and major commercial fitouts.
• Workplace Advisory Strategic property solutions for asset owners and tenants, providing workplace strategy advice to minimise costs, reduce risks, and ensure optimum outcomes. Focuses on adaptable, high-performing workspaces resilient over the duration of client leases.
• Project Services Superintendency, design management, planning and programming with transparent and competitive procurement services for commercial and government projects.
• Security and Risk Management (InTec1 / SCEC)

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved 5 Star Green Star and 6 Star NABERS sustainability ratings for Torrens Edge Workplace
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tall ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024IA Design acquired Tall Architects in 2023, expanding their architectural capabilities and strengthening their service offering across Australia.
• InTec1coreTechnology or IntegrationInTec1 is IA Design's security and risk management division (branded as InTec1) providing integrated security solutions. Grace Kang serves as Security Director leading this integrated service offering.
• RCP AustraliaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management partner for Torrens Edge Workplace project in Adelaide, providing project management services alongside IA Design's design delivery.
• FDC GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder/contractor partner for major commercial fitout projects including Torrens Edge Workplace in Adelaide.
• Nedy GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerServices consultant partner for Torrens Edge Workplace project providing mechanical and electrical engineering services.
• ArupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering consultant for Torrens Edge Workplace project.
• Elevation DesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGraphics and signage consultant for Torrens Edge Workplace project.
• DsquaredminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerESD (Environmental Sustainable Design) consultant for sustainability certification on Torrens Edge Workplace project.
• Resonate ConsultantsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAcoustics consultant for Torrens Edge Workplace project.
• Meiwi Aboriginal Art (Sam Gollan)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAboriginal artist commissioned for Torrens Edge Workplace creating local stories and cultural narratives woven into the built environment.
• MirvaccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOngoing partnership with Mirvac for design solutions on their commercial properties including Spacecubed Fern activation project and Olderfleet building fitouts.
• CBREminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCBRE project management engagement for building owner clients including end-of-trip facilities and show suites.
• Knight FrankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProperty advisor engagement for show suite deliveries including 2 Mill Street project.
• ACOR ConsultantscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrincipal consultant partnership for Port of Broome and Port of Wyndham border infrastructure projects with IA leading architectural design scope.
• SMECminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCivil specialists partnership for Port of Broome and Port of Wyndham border infrastructure projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cox Architecture: Major Australian architectural firm with national studios covering workplace, education, health, and public sector projects. Direct competitor in multi-state government and commercial commissions.
• Hassell: Australian-headquartered architecture and interior design practice with global studios. Direct competitor to IA Design in commercial workplace, government, and interior architecture across Australia, with comparable scale and service breadth.
• Architectus: Australian architecture and urban design practice with offices in multiple states. Comparable to IA Design across commercial, education, and public architecture with similar national footprint.
• BVN (Bligh Voller Nield): Australian architecture practice with strong education, public, and workplace design portfolios. Comparable to IA Design in serving government and institutional clients with full architectural and interior services.
• Bates Smart: One of Australia's oldest architecture practices, delivering commercial, workplace, and heritage projects nationally. Comparable peer in scale, geography, and commercial/government client mix.
• GroupGSA: Australian architecture, interiors, and landscape practice with national studios. Directly comparable to IA Design in commercial interior design, workplace advisory, and government/education sectors.
• Woods Bagot: Global architecture and design firm founded in Australia, with strong workplace, hospitality, and government portfolios. Closely comparable to IA Design across interior architecture, workplace strategy, and commercial fitout work.

Broad incumbents

• Gensler: Global architecture and design firm with a substantial Sydney presence. Competes for the same enterprise and government workplace mandates as IA Design, with broader international reach and scale.
• M Moser Associates: Global workplace design and build firm with Asia-Pacific reach. Comparable in workplace strategy and commercial fitout, serving multinational enterprise clients in competition with IA Design.

Regional players

• Warren and Mahoney: Architecture and interior design firm headquartered in New Zealand with Australian studios. Comparable in workplace and commercial design services, though primary geographic focus is trans-Tasman.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ia-design
• Instagraminstagram.com/iadesignaustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/IA-Design-100304075393955

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 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 IA Design