Christopher Strom Architects

What Christopher Strom Architects does

Christopher Strom Architects (CSA) is a boutique residential architecture firm founded in 2014 by Chris Strom and headquartered at 3308 Gorham Avenue, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The firm employs five licensed architects plus support staff and focuses exclusively on custom residential design — new single-family homes, additions and remodels, and a dedicated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) practice. CSA has built a regionally differentiated identity around sustainable construction methods (Structurally Insulated Panels, Insulated Concrete Forms, Nordic Zen aesthetic), ADU expertise, and Scandinavian-influenced modern design, and is the embedded architect for two master-planned residential communities: White Oaks Savanna (since 2020) and Honey Hill (since 2024).

The firm operates on a project-based professional services fee model, generating revenue through full-scope architectural engagements from schematic design through construction administration. Go-to-market is relationship- and reputation-led: the firm does not advertise or use resellers, instead relying on an award-winning portfolio (10 Home of the Month recognitions from AIA MN and the Star Tribune across 8 consecutive years, plus the 2024 AIA Minnesota Residential Architect of Distinction honor for Chris Strom), earned media features in regional and national publications, the annual AIA Homes by Architects Tour, and the SecondSuite.org consumer education platform on ADUs. Target customers are affluent homeowners in the Twin Cities metro, supplemented by secondary markets in greater Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.

CSA has no technology platform, software product, or AI-driven tooling; its service is delivered by licensed architects through direct consultation and on-site engagement. The firm has remained founder-owned and organically grown since inception, with no venture funding, acquisitions, or parent-company structure. Recent operating moves include a 2024 office expansion, the addition of Ella as Office Administrator and Tyler Hillger as a new team member in 2025, and Rachel's 2024 licensure that brought the firm to five licensed architects.

Name

Christopher Strom Architects

Legal name

Christopher Strom Architects

Website

https://christopherstrom.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Christopher Strom Architects is a boutique residential architecture firm in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, designing custom homes, additions/remodels, and accessory dwelling units for affluent Twin Cities homeowners since 2014.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Architecture Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering (HSAPAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Garage-to-ADU Conversion (HSAPAMAC)

Keywords

• Custom residential architecture
• Accessory dwelling units
• Home additions remodels
• Sustainable home design
• ADU design services

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis Park, MN

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Residential Architecture Services: Full-service residential architecture firm providing custom home design, additions, remodels, and accessory dwelling units. Revenue generated through project-based fees for design services, with projects ranging from new construction to renovations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Christopher Strom Architects (CSA) is a boutique residential architecture firm providing custom home design, additions and remodels, and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) design services for affluent homeowners in the Twin Cities area. The firm delivers full-service architecture from schematic design through construction administration, with specialized expertise in ADUs, sustainable construction methods (SIPs, ICF), and Scandinavian-inspired modern aesthetics.

Product overview

Christopher Strom Architects (CSA) is a residential architecture firm based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota offering a comprehensive suite of architectural services centered on custom home design, additions and remodels, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The firm operates across two main service categories: New Homes Design (including custom single-family residences in both standard lots and planned communities) and Additions & Remodels (featuring second-story additions, expansions, and whole-home renovations). The firm has developed particular expertise in ADU design, positioning its principal Chris Strom as an 'ADU guru' in the region, with projects including Sunflower, GreenHouse, Side Street Suite, ¡Caliente!, and Alley Cat. CSA maintains strategic partnerships with two notable residential developments—White Oaks Savanna in Stillwater (where they designed the first home and multiple subsequent residences) and Honey Hill in Orono. The firm's portfolio spans award-winning projects like Valdres (a Nordic Zen sculptural home), Eye Land (the first home at White Oaks Savanna), Cypress & Bluestone, and Pondside. The firm emphasizes sustainable design practices and has received numerous regional awards including multiple consecutive Home of the Month recognitions from AIA MN and Star Tribune.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SecondSuite.org: An education website about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) operated by the firm to inform homeowners about ADU options.

Products and services

• Custom Residential Architecture Services Full-service residential architecture firm providing custom home design, additions, remodels, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for clients in Minnesota and surrounding areas.
• New Homes Design Custom new home design services including site analysis, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration for new single-family residences.
• Additions & Remodels Architectural design services for home additions and renovation projects, including second-story additions, expansions, and whole-home remodels.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Specialized design of detached and attached accessory dwelling units, also called granny flats or above-garage apartments, serving as guest suites, rental properties, or multi-generational living spaces. The firm is recognized as an 'ADU guru' in the Minneapolis area.

Quantifiable outcome

• Only architecture firm to win Home of the Month award consecutively for eight years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Honey Hill DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CSA became the selected architect for the Honey Hill development in Orono, MN. Partnered with Mark D. Williams Custom Homes and Aspect Design Build on this luxury land development offering custom dream homes in the Orono school district near Wayzata.
• White Oaks SavannacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 February 2020CSA partnered with White Oaks Savanna, a design-driven residential community with 30 home sites in the prairie landscape near Stillwater, MN. CSA has designed multiple homes in the community including Eye Land (first home in 2018), Valdres, and Elysian Fields. The partnership involves designing custom homes within this architecturally-driven development.
• Redstone BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary contractor partner for multiple projects including Valdres, Eye Land, and Elysian Fields at White Oaks Savanna. Co-founded by Bob Appert, who is also co-founder of White Oaks Savanna.
• InUnison DesigncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer collaborator on Valdres, Eye Land, Mississippi River Residence, and Elysian Fields projects. Led by Christine Frisk, Principal & Founder.
• Bunkers and AssociatescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStructural engineering partner on nearly all CSA projects including Valdres, Caliente, Eye Land, Greenhouse, Side Street Suite, Mississippi River Residence, and Lac Courte Oreilles Lodge.
• Travis Van Liere StudiomajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture partner for White Oaks Savanna community planning and Valdres project.
• Andersen WindowsmajorTechnology or IntegrationWindow supplier for Valdres, Eye Land, and Elysian Fields. CSA projects featured on Andersen Windows website and project showcase. Eye Land home tour conducted with Andersen.
• Northland WoodworksminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCabinetry partner for Valdres and Elysian Fields projects.
• Netter's WeldingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCustom steel stair and canopy fabrication for Valdres project.
• Minnesota Timber & MillworkminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBlack ash wood supplier for Valdres vaulted ceiling, sourced locally in Minnesota.
• Bespoke FinishminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCustom finish work on black ash wood for Valdres project.
• SpacecraftingminorOthersArchitecture photography partner for Valdres, Eye Land, and Elysian Fields projects.
• Choice Wood CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder partner for Caliente ADU project.
• Über BuiltminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder partner for Alley Cat ADU and GreenHouse projects.
• John Kraemer & Sons Custom BuildersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder partner for Mississippi River Residence project.
• Crown ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder partner for Tree Top Escape and Pondside projects.
• Welch Forsman AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for Harry's Bar project. President Don Forsman noted CSA as one of their favorite firms to work with.
• Alyssa Lee PhotographyminorOthersPhotography partner for Caliente, Lac Courte Oreilles Lodge, Tree Top Escape, Mississippi River Residence, Greenhouse, and Side Street Suite projects.
• Hage HomesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder partner for Cypress & Bluestone project.
• Ruth Johnson InteriorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer partner for Cypress & Bluestone and Pondside projects.
• Bold Metal WorkminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMetal work partner for Cypress & Bluestone project.
• MarvinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted panel event 'Partners in Possibilities' with AIA MN and CEDIA featuring Chris Strom as panelist on smart home technology and design intersection.
• Yoder Building Co.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilder partner for Lac Courte Oreilles Lodge in Northern Wisconsin.
• O'Hara InteriorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer partner for Elysian Fields project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based firm with an internationally recognized custom residential portfolio. Comparable as a high-design residential practice at greater scale and broader geographic reach than CSA.
• Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA): Large Minneapolis-based architecture and engineering firm with a residential practice among broader healthcare, civic, and commercial work. Comparable as a Twin Cities architecture firm serving residential clients but at substantially greater scale.
• Robert A.M. Stern Architects: New York-based firm widely known for high-end custom residential architecture alongside institutional work. Comparable as a luxury custom residential architecture practice with national brand recognition, though at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Lake|Flato Architects: San Antonio-based firm nationally recognized for sustainable, climate-responsive residential and small commercial design. Comparable as a design-driven, sustainability-focused residential practice with strong awards profile.
• TEA2 Architects: Minneapolis architecture firm with a notable custom residential portfolio alongside commercial and educational work. Comparable as a regional boutique competing for the same affluent Twin Cities residential clients.
• PKA Architecture: Minneapolis-based custom residential architecture firm with a portfolio of award-winning modern homes and renovations. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and design-forward residential focus.
• SALA Architects: Minneapolis-based architecture firm with a strong modern residential practice alongside civic and commercial work. Directly comparable as a Twin Cities boutique firm serving design-savvy homeowners with custom residential projects.
• CAST Architecture: Berkeley, CA architecture firm with a strong ADU and custom residential practice. Comparable for ADU specialization, modern California-context design sensibility, and boutique scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christopher-strom-architects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Christopher Strom Architects