John Lively & Associates

What John Lively & Associates does

John Lively & Associates is a privately held custom residential design firm founded in 1996 and headquartered at 5938 W. Parker Rd., Suite 300, Plano, Texas. The firm specializes in architectural design for custom homes, with a portfolio spanning small distinctive plans through large exemplary estate homes. It serves two primary segments: high-net-worth homeowners seeking unique, lifestyle-driven designs, and custom home builders requiring precise, informative plans that streamline construction. Notable projects include work on Deion Sanders' personal residence and developments with builders such as LRO Residential, Greystone Custom Builders, Tim Jackson Custom Homes, and Southgate Homes, alongside commercial work like the Hula Hut restaurant.

The firm operates as a project-based professional services practice, generating revenue through architectural design fees. It employs field-related drafters and uses computer-aided design and drafting tools described internally as "state-of-the-art" to produce accurate plans. Its value proposition rests on client listening, distinctive aesthetics intended to withstand style trends, and drawing precision that produces profitable builder experiences. Distribution is direct and consultation-led: prospective clients initiate contact via telephone (972-781-0555) or email.

The firm maintains a regional Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex core with selective work extending into Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Palm Springs, California. It has accumulated 40+ industry awards between 2014 and 2021 across the ARC Awards, McSam Awards, and Star Awards, and has been featured in Luxe Magazine, D Home Magazine, Luxury Home Magazine, and CBS's "This Is Dallas." Marketing is concentrated on a website portfolio, Instagram, Facebook, Houzz, LinkedIn, and an active blog. Ownership is concentrated with founder John Lively, with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or funding rounds.

Name

John Lively & Associates

Legal name

John Lively & Associates

Website

https://livelydesigns.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

John Lively & Associates is a Plano, Texas-based custom residential design firm founded in 1996 that provides architectural plans for high-net-worth homeowners and custom home builders. It serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with selective projects in Wyoming and California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310)

akta.pro primary industry

Custom Home Building (IMAFABAC)

Keywords

• Custom home design
• Residential architecture
• Architectural design services
• Estate home plans
• Custom residential drafting

Headquarters

HQ city

Plano

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Residential Design Services: The firm provides custom residential design services, creating architectural plans for custom homes ranging from small distinctive plans to large exemplary estate homes. Revenue is generated through professional design fees for creating house plans and architectural services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

John Lively & Associates is a custom residential design firm specializing in all forms of custom homes, ranging from small distinctive plans to large exemplary estate homes. Using state-of-the-art computer technology and field-experienced drafters, the firm produces precise and informative architectural plans that streamline the home building process. The firm also undertakes select commercial projects, including restaurant and retail design.

Product overview

John Lively & Associates is a custom residential design firm providing architectural design services for custom homes. The firm offers a single unified service offering centered on residential design, ranging from small distinctive floor plans to large estate homes. The firm uses state-of-the-art computer technology to create accurate architectural drawings that streamline the home building process. The company also undertakes select commercial projects including restaurants and retail spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Residential Design Services End-to-end custom architectural design services for residential projects, ranging from small distinctive plans to large exemplary estate homes. Includes concept design, plan development, and construction drawings produced using computer-aided design and field-experienced drafters. Targeted at custom home builders and high-net-worth homeowners seeking lifestyle-driven, timeless residential architecture.
• Commercial Design Services (Select Projects) Select commercial architectural design projects, including restaurant and retail spaces (e.g., Hula Hut restaurant on Lake Lewisville). Provided on a limited, project-by-project basis in addition to the firm's core residential design practice.

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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.

• Finesstra Custom Doors & WindowsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 December 2020Finesstra Custom Doors & Windows created a video tour of JLA's Rue De Isabelle project, showcasing their custom doors and windows throughout the home. This represents a collaborative content partnership where both firms benefit from cross-promotion.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Walker Workshop: Los Angeles architecture studio founded by David Walker, with a curated portfolio of custom residential projects for HNW clients. Comparable to JLA in boutique scale, principal-led design quality, and focus on distinctive modern California-style homes.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture firm internationally recognized for highly customized, bespoke residential design for HNW clients. Direct comparable on custom estate home design, brand-led positioning, and craft-driven signature aesthetic — though operating at significantly larger scale than JLA.
• Aidlin Darling Design: San Francisco Bay Area studio with a strong custom residential practice alongside select commercial work. Comparable to JLA in award-winning custom home design for HNW clients, single-studio model, and craft-driven signature aesthetic.
• Studio William Hefner: Los Angeles-based studio specializing in custom luxury residential architecture and interiors. Directly comparable as a founder-led custom home design practice serving HNW clients in trophy markets (similar to JLA's Jackson Hole and Palm Springs footprint).
• Marmol Radziner: Los Angeles-based architecture and design practice with a deep custom residential portfolio for HNW clients. Direct comparable in scale, founder-led positioning, and aesthetic emphasis on warm modernism — a price-and-quality tier JLA competes in for trophy DFW projects.
• Backen Architecture: California-based firm founded by the late Howard Backen, specializing in luxury custom residential design with a strong emphasis on indoor-outdoor living and modern farmhouse aesthetic — directly comparable to several of JLA's signature style awards.
• Standard | Architecture | Interiors: Los Angeles firm offering integrated architecture and interior design for custom residential projects. Comparable to JLA in award-winning custom home design and HNW client focus, with additional interiors capability that mirrors an area where JLA is structurally narrower.

Broad incumbents

• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: New York-based legacy architecture firm with a substantial custom residential practice for ultra-HNW clients, including estate homes. Comparable in luxury custom residential design but operates as a much larger, diversified firm with broader institutional, commercial, and residential work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/wix
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn8Ua4vjySbFcrm3NYv0wZrHW-u7CbyOA
• Facebookfacebook.com/JohnLivelyAssociates
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/john-lively-&-associates
• Instagraminstagram.com/john_lively_associates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 John Lively & Associates