What Next Architecture Inc. does

Next Architecture Inc. is a digital-first architectural firm headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, with a secondary office in Calgary. The firm traces its roots to February 1938 (Rule Wynn and Rule), was later known as HIP Architects, and rebranded to Next Architecture around 2011 under founder and Managing Partner Allan Partridge. It operates with approximately 11-20 colleagues across two studios and delivers architectural services across commercial, healthcare, cultural, institutional, residential, mixed-use, and logistics projects for both public-sector clients (e.g., Alberta Health Services, Alberta Infrastructure, Public Services and Procurement Canada) and private developers (e.g., AUPE, Panattoni Canada, Manulife Investment Management, University of Alberta).

The firm's core technical offering is Model Based Project Delivery, built on Building Information Modeling (Revit, BIM360), point cloud scanning with progressive Level of Development (LOD 100-350+), and digital fabrication (dFAB) workflows that move projects from file to fabrication to field using techniques imported from automotive and aerospace. Notable signature projects include the Art Gallery of Alberta (first multi-disciplinary BIM project in North America delivered by remote teams), the AUPE Headquarters (first commercial building in Edmonton combining NECB 2011, WELL, and LEED v4), St [A]2 (Canada's first zero emission affordable housing), and the Law Courts Galleria replacement. Cloud-based infrastructure and portable devices have been standard since inception, enabling remote-first collaboration.

Commercially, Next Architecture operates as a project-based professional services firm earning fees tied to construction value, hourly rates, or fixed fees depending on scope. Project construction values span $50K to $50M. Go-to-market combines direct client engagement for private-sector work and competitive bidding for public-sector commissions, supplemented by a referral network. The firm emphasizes sustainable, high-performance design (LEED, WELL, NECB), heritage conservation, and digital fabrication, with thought leadership delivered through the NextShift blog, principal speaking engagements, and active participation in CanBIM, RAIC, AAA, ECA, and CAGBC.

Name

Next Architecture Inc.

Legal name

Next Architecture Inc.

Website

https://nextarchitecture.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Next Architecture is a digital-first, BIM-led architectural firm in Edmonton and Calgary that delivers Model Based Project Delivery and digital fabrication workflows across healthcare, cultural, institutional, residential, and logistics projects for public and private clients across Western and Central Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (236220)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Office & Corporate Building Construction (IMAFACAA), Multi-Family Residential Construction (Apartments, Condos, Townhomes) (IMAFABAB)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Building information modeling
• Digital fabrication construction
• Sustainable building design
• Heritage conservation architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural firm delivering a broad spectrum of work for diverse clients including design, construction documentation, and construction administration services. Revenue generated through project fees based on construction costs, hourly rates, or fixed fees depending on project type and size.
2. Project Leadership and Management: Architect and project leader services including managing projects from commencement to completion, ownership of scope, timeline, and budget. Includes business development efforts generating net revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Next Architecture Inc. is an architectural services firm delivering full-spectrum design, construction documentation, and construction administration across commercial, cultural, healthcare, educational, residential, and mixed-use sectors. The firm is differentiated by its Model Based Project Delivery methodology, which leverages Building Information Modeling (BIM), point cloud scanning, and digital fabrication (dFAB) to integrate design with fabrication and field assembly.

Product overview

Next Architecture Inc. is a digital-first architectural firm headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, with offices in Calgary. Founded in 1938 (originally Rule Wynn and Rule), the firm delivers architectural services across commercial, institutional, healthcare, residential, and cultural sectors. Their core methodology centers on Model Based Project Delivery, utilizing BIM workflows, 3D digital content creation, and digital fabrication (dFAB) to transition from traditional 2D deliverables to integrated digital design-to-construction processes. Notable projects include the AUPE Headquarters (incorporating LEED v4, WELL Building Standard, and NECB 2011), the Art Gallery of Alberta (first multi-disciplinary BIM project in North America with remote team coordination), St [A]2 (Canada's first zero emission affordable housing), and the Law Courts Galleria replacement. The firm operates with approximately 18 colleagues across two studio locations, emphasizing sustainable design, heritage conservation, and innovative construction methodologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services
• Model Based Project Delivery

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of materials in Shaw Auditorium can be dismantled, recycled and re-used
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EntuitivecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Structural engineering consultation partner on the Parallax project. Entuitive provided structural expertise for the award-winning shade structure competition entry.
• Onetwosix DesigncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Fabrication partner for Parallax project, bringing the design concept to reality as fabricators for the shade structure.
• Love Alberta ForestsminorOthers · 1 January 2024Provided wood materials for the Parallax project, contributing to the natural materials used in the shade structure.
• PCL ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner on EECOL Electric Edmonton project. Collaborative visioning sessions facilitated with staff, sales representatives, and management to outline project goals.
• Randall Stout ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational architecture firm that worked with local architect Allan Partridge (HIP Architects at the time) on the Art Gallery of Alberta. Randall Stout was the Architect of Record while Next provided local expertise and digital modeling.
• Eckert Wordell ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurgical specialists who worked with Next on the Orthopedic Surgery Centre, providing expertise for the innovative elective surgery approach.
• Edmonton Construction AssociationminorOthersIan Morgan presents on BIM, Integrated Project Delivery and Modern methods of Construction through the Productivity Series.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Revery Architecture: Vancouver-based Canadian architecture firm with strong cultural and institutional portfolio. Comparable in mid-sized studio structure and design-led approach to similar building typologies, though primarily serves the BC market rather than directly competing with Next Architecture in Alberta.
• Manasc Isaac Architects: Edmonton-based architecture firm and a direct local peer to Next Architecture. Pursues similar Alberta institutional and Indigenous community projects, with comparable focus on sustainable design and integrated practice, though operating with a different ownership/co-op structure.

Direct peers

• KPMB Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm known for cultural, institutional, and academic projects (e.g., comparable to Next Architecture's work on Art Gallery of Alberta and University of Alberta projects). Similar project-led studio model with shared values around sustainability and design excellence.
• Lemay: Montreal-based Canadian architecture and design firm with national reach across commercial, institutional, and residential sectors. Comparable in offering integrated architecture, interiors, and landscape design with strong sustainability credentials, serving many of the same institutional client types as Next Architecture.
• Diamond Schmitt Architects: Toronto-based Canadian architecture firm recognized for cultural, civic, and institutional buildings with strong sustainability focus. Comparable in size and design philosophy to Next Architecture, with similar pursuit of LEED-certified and high-performance public projects across Canada.
• DIALOG: Canadian interdisciplinary design firm with offices across Canada (including Calgary and Edmonton). Offers integrated architecture, engineering, and interior design with strong sustainability credentials, making it a direct comparable to Next Architecture's cross-disciplinary digital practice serving similar Western Canadian institutional and commercial clients.
• Number TEN Architectural Group: Western Canadian architecture firm with offices in Manitoba and Western Canada. Mid-sized regional peer pursuing similar commercial, institutional, and Indigenous community projects with comparable focus on client relationships and sustainable design.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with a Toronto studio and significant Canadian healthcare and commercial practice. Pursues many of the same large public-sector and healthcare clients as Next Architecture (e.g., Alberta Health Services), but offers a broader international bench and research-driven design practice.
• Stantec Architecture: Large global engineering and architecture firm with significant Canadian presence. Competes with Next Architecture on healthcare, civic, and institutional projects in Alberta, but operates as a broad incumbent with a much wider portfolio spanning engineering, environmental services, and project management beyond pure architectural design.
• Architecture49 (formerly BBB Architects): Canadian architecture firm with multiple regional studios across Canada. Pursues similar public-sector and institutional projects (including heritage and civic buildings) as Next Architecture, but operates as a larger incumbent with broader geographic reach and a wider portfolio of services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-architecture-inc.

Compliance7 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 Next Architecture Inc.