What AZD Associates does

AZD Associates is a privately held architecture and interior design firm founded in 1990 by principals Kevin Akey and Frank Zychowski, both AIA-credentialed graduates of Lawrence Technological University. The firm specializes in custom residential and commercial architecture, serving high-net-worth homeowners and commercial/multi-family developers across Michigan and selective projects in other US states, Canada, and the Caribbean. Project budgets range from $100,000 to $3 million, with a documented portfolio of award-winning luxury residences including lakefront properties, vacation homes, and contemporary custom designs.

The firm's core technology stack centers on state-of-the-art CAD services for design visualization and documentation, with the firm emphasizing a free-spirited, edge-focused design philosophy that avoids a signature "AZD look" in favor of bespoke solutions tailored to each client's site, lifestyle, and aspirations. Core service offerings include custom residential architecture (modern, contemporary, traditional, lakefront, and vacation home design), commercial/multi-family architecture, and renovation/remodeling services. The firm maintains site observation throughout construction to ensure design fidelity and works closely with both clients and builders.

AZD operates a sales-led, referral-driven go-to-market model, with clients acquired through portfolio visibility, publication features, awards recognition, and personal relationships cultivated by the principals. Revenue is generated through project-based professional service fees quoted per engagement, with pricing determined by scope, complexity, and client requirements. The firm maintains two offices — headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and a secondary office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — supported by approximately 10 staff including architects and designers. Over its 30+ year history, the firm has accumulated approximately 100 design awards, including the Governor's Award for Design Excellence and multiple Detroit Home Awards (Home of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2018).

Name

AZD Associates

Legal name

AZD Associates, Inc.

Website

https://azdarch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AZD Associates is a boutique architecture firm founded in 1990 by principals Kevin Akey and Frank Zychowski, offering custom residential and commercial design services for high-net-worth clients across Michigan, other US states, Canada, and the Caribbean, with project budgets ranging from $100,000 to $3 million.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomfield Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Project-based fees for architectural design services including conceptual design, technical documentation, and construction administration. Services include site observation to ensure design concepts are accurately implemented during construction.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AZD Associates is a full-service architectural and design firm offering custom residential architecture services (modern, contemporary, traditional, lakefront, and vacation homes, plus renovations) and commercial/multi-family architecture services (office, retail, and mixed-use developments). The firm, led by principals Kevin Akey and Frank Zychowski, provides conceptual design, technical documentation, and construction administration including site observation services to ensure design fidelity during construction.

Product overview

AZD Associates is a full-service architectural and design firm offering custom residential and commercial/multi-family architecture services. The firm, led by principals Kevin Akey and Frank Zychowski, operates from Birmingham, Michigan and has established a distinct niche in progressive, cutting-edge architectural design since 1990. The core offerings consist of residential architecture services (including modern, traditional, lakefront, and vacation home designs) and commercial/multi-family architecture services (office, retail, and mixed-use projects). The firm maintains an extensive portfolio of award-winning projects featured in numerous local and national publications such as Architectural Digest, Luxury Home, Better Homes and Gardens, and HOUR magazines, as well as presentations on HGTV. Projects span Michigan, other US states, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture Services Custom residential architectural design services covering modern, contemporary, traditional, and lakefront home designs, as well as renovations and vacation properties for private clients. Includes conceptual design, technical documentation, and construction administration for individual homeowners.
• Commercial/Multi-Family Architecture Services Architectural design for office and retail projects, multi-family residential communities, and mixed-use developments that combine retail or office facilities with residential components. Targeted at developers and businesses seeking progressive, cutting-edge design.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100 design awards including multiple Home of the Year recognitions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• Environmental ArtistsminorOthersLocal landscaping company that collaborated with AZD Associates on the Lake Orion vacation home project, providing creative landscape design that maximized natural elements while complementing the home's exterior.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• SmithGroup: Major Michigan-headquartered architecture and engineering firm with a broad portfolio across workplace, healthcare, education, and cultural projects. Comparable as a Michigan-based architecture practice, though AZD operates at much smaller scale and specializes in custom residential and small commercial work.

Direct peers

• Aidlin Darling Design: California-based architecture practice specializing in highly crafted, modernist custom residential and commercial projects. Comparable to AZD in boutique scale, custom-residential focus, and award-winning design ethos.
• Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: Pittsburgh and Seattle-based architecture firm recognized for innovative residential, civic, and commercial projects. Comparable to AZD in design-led approach, custom residential expertise, and consistent industry recognition including AIA honors.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture firm renowned for highly customized luxury residential and hospitality projects with a strong materials-and-craft identity. Directly comparable to AZD's high-design, custom residential focus and award-winning aesthetic.
• Lake|Flato Architects: Texas-based architecture firm celebrated for regionally rooted, sustainability-minded residential and commercial design. Comparable to AZD in producing award-winning, design-driven custom architecture with strong personal-attention service model.
• Quinn Evans Architects: Michigan-based architecture firm focused on cultural, educational, and adaptive-reuse projects with a design-led sensibility. Comparable as a Michigan-rooted, design-driven practice serving institutional and private clients.
• Integrated Architecture: Mid-size Michigan architecture firm providing design services across commercial, healthcare, education, and residential sectors. Comparable to AZD in regional Michigan base and multi-sector architectural services offering.
• Neumann/Smith Architecture: Michigan-based full-service architecture firm working across commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects. Comparable to AZD as a Michigan-anchored, multi-sector design practice of similar regional scale.
• Marmol Radziner: Los Angeles-based architecture and design practice known for innovative, modernist custom luxury residences. Comparable to AZD as a boutique, design-led firm serving high-net-worth clients with highly customized residential architecture.
• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: New York-based architecture firm specializing in luxury residential, institutional, and mixed-use projects with a design-forward approach. Comparable to AZD in serving affluent residential clients and producing award-recognized custom work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCM0Yee0yolk2xENzDcE5ang/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/azdarch
• Instagraminstagram.com/azdarchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/azd-associates-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 AZD Associates