What DAO Architecture does

DAO Architecture LLC is a Portland, Oregon-based architecture firm founded in 2004 by principals Joann Le and David Horsley. The firm delivers an integrated practice spanning architectural, interior, landscape, and urban design, serving government agencies, public school districts, transit authorities, nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions, and private developers primarily across the Pacific Northwest. Project portfolio includes educational facilities (McDaniel High School Modernization), transit infrastructure (Gideon Overcrossing for TriMet), cultural and civic venues (Oxbow Park Welcome Center for Metro, Monmouth Amphitheater), affordable and multifamily housing (Station 162 Apartments, Shore Pines, Lincoln Court, Unicorn Bed), restaurants and commercial tenant improvements (Pho Van Remodel), and public art installations.

The firm's design approach is holistic, treating architecture, interiors, landscape, and urbanism as a single continuous discipline rather than siloed services. Underlying technology consists of conventional architectural practice tools and processes, supported by an established network of structural engineers (Jacobs, WSP, Madden & Baughman), landscape architects (Lango Hansen, Mayer/Reed), and specialty fabricators (A2 Fab, Fireart Glass, Mr. Steel, Mudshark Studios). A complementary Objects line produces custom furniture, railings, gates, and signage. The firm is Oregon-certified as a Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) and is a member of the United States Green Building Council, with LEED Gold delivery on the McDaniel High School Modernization as evidence of sustainable design credentials.

DAO operates as a project-based professional services firm generating revenue through design fees on commissioned projects. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per project. Go-to-market is primarily direct client engagement supplemented by reputation-driven selection through public-sector procurement and a sustained record of industry awards (AIA, EDRA, ASLA, DJC, ENR). The firm is privately held by its founding principals with no external investment, no subsidiaries, and no parent company. Headcount is approximately 9-12 individuals across principals, associates, architects, designers, and project management.

Name

DAO Architecture

Legal name

DAO Architecture LLC

Website

https://daoarchitecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DAO Architecture is a Portland, Oregon-based architecture firm offering integrated architectural, interior, landscape, and urban design services for public agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and private developers across the Pacific Northwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Sustainable architecture
• Urban design planning
• Affordable housing design
• Public infrastructure design

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: DAO Architecture generates revenue through commissioned architectural design services for a diverse portfolio of projects including residential, commercial, institutional, cultural, and urban design projects. Revenue is project-based, generated through design fees for architecture, interior design, and urban design services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DAO Architecture provides commissioned architectural design services integrating architectural, interior, landscape, and urban design disciplines. The firm delivers projects across residential, commercial, institutional, cultural, and public infrastructure categories, with an emphasis on sustainable and environmentally sensitive design solutions. Revenue is generated through project-based design fees, supplemented by custom furniture, gates, railings, and signage produced as part of the firm's holistic design approach.

Product overview

DAO Architecture LLC is an architectural design firm offering a unified portfolio of architectural services rather than a modular software product. Their core offering encompasses residential architecture (single-family homes, renovations, affordable housing), commercial architecture (restaurants, retail, offices), urban design and infrastructure (pedestrian bridges, transit stations, redevelopment planning), and art/education/culture facilities. As a complement to architectural services, the firm creates custom furniture and objects (gates, railings, signage, furnishings) that express principles of function and clarity of design. The firm was founded in 2004 by principals Joann Le and David Horsley and is based in Portland, Oregon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture Services Design services for single-family residences, renovations, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and multi-unit housing developments including affordable housing complexes, delivered for homeowners, developers, and nonprofit housing providers.
• Commercial Architecture Services
• Urban Design and Infrastructure
• Art/Education/Culture Facilities Design
• Custom Furniture and Objects

Quantifiable outcome

• Award-winning firm recognized with multiple AIA awards, EDRA Great Places Award, ASLA awards, and other industry recognitions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jacobs Structural EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructural engineering collaboration for Gideon Overcrossing pedestrian/bicycle bridge project. Jacobs provided structural engineering services while DAO provided architectural design for the 140-foot steel and concrete bridge.
• Lango Hansen Landscape ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture collaboration for Steel Bridge Skatepark Development Plan. Joint effort with landscape architects and skatepark specialists.
• Grindline Skateparks, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkatepark design and construction collaboration for Steel Bridge Skatepark. Grindline provided skatepark construction expertise in this DAO-led project.
• ZGF-VIA-Mayer-Reed Joint VenturecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDAO was part of interdisciplinary team led by ZGF-VIA-Mayer-Reed joint venture for Southwest Corridor Light Rail Project. Responsible for station areas including terminus station at Bridgeport.
• Opsis ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture partnership for Portland Public Schools McDaniel High School Modernization project. Opsis and DAO worked in collaboration on the 296,000 sf renovation.
• Mayer/ReedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture partner for Gorge Accessibility Project at Cape Horn Preserve. Mayer/Reed led the project and enlisted DAO for architectural design of three structures.
• WSP USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partnership for Port of Kalama Pedestrian Bridge. WSP USA served as engineer partner while DAO provided architectural design.
• Johnson EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeam led by Johnson Economics for PSU Lincoln Station project. DAO served as architect and urban designer for University Place Hotel site redevelopment scenarios.
• Madden and Baughman Structural EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStructural engineering collaboration for PDX Winter Light Festival 'Into the Chainscape' art installation.
• Horatio Hung-Yan Law (Horatio Law)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist collaboration for Oregon State Hospital art installation 'I Hope, I Dream, I Wonder'. DAO helped design, detail, fabricate, and oversee construction of the artwork.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hacker Architects: Portland architecture firm practicing across education, civic, housing, and commercial sectors with a similar studio size and integrated-design philosophy. Comparable to DAO in project mix and Pacific Northwest market focus.
• Opsis Architecture: Portland-based architecture firm of similar size and mission, focused on civic, educational, and cultural projects. DAO and Opsis already co-led the 296,000 sf McDaniel High School Modernization, indicating directly comparable project types, client base, and delivery model.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based design firm with similar cultural-residential, public, and commercial portfolio breadth and similar principal-driven, award-winning identity. Comparable in client quality, design recognition, and Pacific Northwest geographic focus, though larger in headcount.
• Mithun: Seattle architecture and urban design firm with strong civic, education, affordable housing, and transit-oriented portfolio. Comparable to DAO in integrated architecture-plus-urban-design services and public-sector client mix.
• Lango Hansen Landscape Architects: Portland-based landscape architecture firm that co-led the Steel Bridge Skatepark Development Plan with DAO. Comparable in scale, Pacific Northwest focus, and integrated public-infrastructure project type.
• SERA Architects: Portland architecture firm with a comparable mix of public/institutional, educational, and urban design work. Similar scale and Pacific Northwest footprint make it a direct comparable for project type, client base, and revenue range.
• Mayer/Reed: Portland landscape architecture and urban design firm that has directly partnered with DAO on the Gorge Accessibility Project and the SW Corridor Light Rail JV. Comparable in Pacific Northwest public-sector focus and integrated landscape/urban design practice.

Broad incumbents

• ZGF Architects: Major Pacific Northwest architecture firm with deep public-sector, healthcare, education, and transit portfolio. DAO has already partnered as a subconsultant (SW Corridor Light Rail JV), making it the dominant regional incumbent against which DAO competes for institutional work.
• Ankrom Moisan: Larger Portland architecture, interiors, and planning firm operating across housing, healthcare, education, and commercial markets. Overlaps with DAO's residential and public-sector work but at significantly greater scale and broader service breadth.

Regional players

• Bassetti Architects: Seattle-based architecture firm focused on K-12 education, public, and cultural projects. Comparable to DAO's education and public-sector portfolio but operating in the adjacent Washington State market rather than Oregon.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dao-architecture-llc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 DAO Architecture