JOHO Architecture

What JOHO Architecture does

JOHO Architecture is a Seoul-based boutique architectural practice founded in February 2009 by architect Jeong Hoon Lee. The firm operates as a B2B architectural design and research studio targeting private clients, corporations, cultural institutions, and government bodies, with a portfolio spanning residential, commercial, hospitality, cultural, and institutional typologies. Service offerings are organized across four categories: Architecture (full-service design for residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional projects), Installation (experimental pavilions), Interior Design, and Urban Planning/Masterplans, plus a small Publications and Monographs sub-line.

The firm's core differentiator is its proprietary "Material-Metry" design methodology, which treats materials as units of geometric measurement and develops spatial form through aggregation, subtraction, and contextual reinterpretation of material groups. Signature design techniques include the use of light and shadow as architectural material, geometric brick clustering with perforated stainless steel tetrahedra, and hybrid roof typologies such as the Seolhaeone gable system. Notable projects include Platform-L Contemporary Art Center (Louis Quatorze, 2016), Seolhaeone Clubhouse (2022), Ulsan KTX Station, KIST 50th anniversary pavilion, and a Library of Light at Sungkyunkwan University.

The business model is professional services project fees plus a small licensing/books revenue stream. Projects are acquired through direct client engagement, architectural competitions, academic referrals, and international exhibition visibility (Venice Biennale 2023, DATUM:KL 2026). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by project scope. The firm maintains an 8-person team headquartered in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and is founder-owned with no disclosed external investment or parent company.

Name

JOHO Architecture

Legal name

JOHO Architecture

Website

https://johoarchitecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JOHO Architecture is a Seoul-based boutique architectural design firm founded in 2009 by Jeong Hoon Lee, providing residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional design services to private clients, corporations, cultural institutions, and government bodies in Korea and abroad.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural 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 industry

Space Planning & Workplace Design (BPAHAKAI)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Cultural architecture
• Residential architecture
• Master planning
• Interior design

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full architectural design services for residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional projects. Revenue is generated through design fees, project management, and construction administration services.
2. Publication and Book Sales: Sale of monographs and publications documenting completed projects, including 'Prologue to Light and Matter', 'Sea Sensibility EL 16.52', and other architectural books.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

JOHO Architecture is a Seoul-based architectural design firm that provides full-service architecture, installation design, interior design, and urban planning services. Projects span residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional buildings, with the firm applying its proprietary 'Material-Metry' design philosophy that treats materials as units of geometric measurement.

Product overview

JOHO Architecture is an architecture and design firm founded in February 2009 by architect Jeong Hoon Lee (Lee Jung Hoon). The firm offers a comprehensive portfolio of architectural design services organized across four main categories: Architecture (residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional buildings), Installation (experimental pavilions and installations), Interior Design, and Urban Planning/Masterplans. The firm also produces publications and monographs documenting its design philosophy and completed projects. The firm's design philosophy centers on 'Material-Metry' — treating materials as geometric measurement units and developing design through their aggregation and interaction with site context. Key signature projects include Platform-L Contemporary Art Center, Seolhaeone Clubhouse, EL 16.52 Café, Herma Parking Building, and KTX Parking Complex. The firm operates as a traditional architecture practice rather than a software or technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Design Services Full-service architectural design covering residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional projects. Services include new construction, renovation, remodeling, and master planning.
• Installation Design Experimental architectural installations and pavilions exploring material innovation and spatial concepts.
• Interior Design Interior architecture and spatial design services for libraries, lounges, and educational facilities.
• Urban Planning and Masterplan Comprehensive master planning and urban design proposals for large-scale developments and cultural complexes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seolhaeone Clubhouse won Grand Prize and Structural Design Award at 2024 Korea Timber Architecture Awards
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Universitas Gadjah MadaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Partnership for lecture and site visit program with architecture students in Indonesia. Topics covered JOHO's architectural philosophy, design approach, and major projects, with Q&A on design thinking and the role of architects.
• Atelier RiriminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2025Indonesian architecture firm participating in AR-TRIP (architectural study tour). JOHO hosted Atelier Riri for a visit to Platform-L Art Center, sharing design philosophy and discussing contemporary architectural practice. Both firms engaged in professional exchange and discussions about the Korean architectural landscape.
• AIA Taipei & AIA South KoreaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2025Joint event partnership where Principal Jeong Hoon Lee delivered lecture on 'Material Innovation & Spatial Experience' at SKM Architects office. Focus on material investigation and spatial design through JOHO projects.
• Syracuse UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Ongoing academic partnership with Professor Bingbu's architecture students. Students visited Korea and toured Platform-L, examining architectural concepts, spatial organization, and programmatic operations. Part of Syracuse's 'Architectural Practices in Asia' seminar series.
• Fritz Hansen KoreaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2022Interview partnership with Danish furniture brand Fritz Hansen. Discussion focused on JOHO's philosophy of creating rational spaces embodying the spirit of the times through refined sculptural forms.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Snøhetta: Norway/US-headquartered architecture and design firm with strong cultural, public, and landscape portfolio. Comparable typology and global award recognition profile.
• Heatherwick Studio: London-based design studio with comparable installation, cultural-space, and material-innovation focus. Closely aligned on experimental pavilions and cultural commissions showcased internationally.
• Steven Holl Architects: New York-based boutique architecture practice with strong cultural and institutional portfolio and signature light-and-material design approach. Closely comparable positioning as a founder-led boutique with global cultural commissions.
• Kengo Kuma & Associates: Tokyo-based boutique firm with a comparable material-driven philosophy and signature use of timber and natural materials. Comparable in typology (cultural, hospitality, residential) and global award trajectory.
• Studio Gang: Chicago-based boutique architecture firm led by Jeanne Gang, with comparable typological focus on cultural, civic, and residential work. Similar scale and award-driven reputation profile.
• MAD Architects: Beijing-headquartered boutique firm with a similar founder-led, design-driven, globally awarded practice model. Comparable international cultural and cultural-infrastructure commissions and similar scale to JOHO.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based boutique firm with comparable founder-driven design philosophy and cultural/residential/hospitality portfolio. Similar typology mix and signature material use.
• MASS Studies: Seoul-based boutique architecture firm led by Minsuk Cho with comparable typological breadth across cultural, residential, and institutional projects. Direct Korean peer competing for similar domestic cultural clients and jury slots.

Broad incumbents

• UNStudio: Dutch global architecture firm with comparable cultural, mixed-use, and international typology. Larger scale and broader office network, but overlapping client base in cultural and transit-oriented projects.
• Zaha Hadid Architects: Global architecture powerhouse where JOHO founder Jeong Hoon Lee trained. Significantly larger and broader portfolio but operates in the same cultural and institutional typologies and competes for similar international jury recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@johoarchitecture8598
• Instagraminstagram.com/johoarchitecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/joho-architecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 JOHO Architecture