OSA

What OSA does

Open Source Architecture (OSA) is a private, internationally-based architectural firm established in 2003 and operating as Open Source Architecture, LLC. The firm is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel, with additional offices in St. Louis, Missouri, and Los Angeles, California, and is currently led by co-founders Chandler Ahrens and Aaron Sprecher (Eran Neuman, an original co-founder, departed in 2009). Aaron Sprecher concurrently serves as Associate Professor at the Technion Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, where he directs the Material Topology Research Laboratory (MTRL), anchoring the firm's research-heavy identity. Its client base spans educational institutions, cultural organizations, commercial enterprises, hospitality groups, and government bodies across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Washington University in St. Louis, McGill University, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, NAVER Corporation, the Government of Lithuania, the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, and Rajeunir Black Caviar.

OSA's practice centers on computational design and digital fabrication, integrating information technologies, computational languages, and digital fabrication systems into architectural processes. The firm operates an in-house Digital Fabrication Lab equipped with an Objet Connex 500 multi-material 3D printer and a Kuka 6-axis robotic arm with CNC milling and 3D printing capabilities, alongside proprietary methods including evolutionary algorithms for structural and environmental optimization, solar-tracking algorithms for facade performance, and a robotic Catoptric Surface system of motor-driven mirrors that redirects daylight. Its portfolio spans small-scale product designs (the C-Chair and AD3 Lamp), residential work (SlrSrf net-zero addition, Ecoscape cabin), research installations (EvoDeVO Chair, View Finder), cultural and educational projects (Sophie's Artist Lounge, CSU Addition), and large-scale architectural commissions, most notably the 75,000 m² NAVER Cloud Data Center GAK2 campus in Sejong, South Korea.

The firm operates on a project-based professional services model with engagement-based, quote-based pricing for custom architectural work rather than standardized fees. Revenue is sourced through direct enterprise engagement, architectural competitions, academic and research partnerships, and institutional procurement; there is no disclosed pricing or unit-revenue data. Marketing channels include an active exhibition and academic publication program (two Routledge books: "Architecture in Formation," 2013; "Instabilities and Potentialities," 2019), awards recognition (AIA St. Louis, AIA Los Angeles, Chicago Athenaeum, Architect's Newspaper), and a portfolio-driven website. The firm is privately held by its partners with no disclosed external investment, parent company, or subsidiaries.

Name

OSA

Legal name

Open Source Architecture, LLC

Website

https://o-s-a.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Open Source Architecture (OSA) is a private international architectural firm with offices in Tel Aviv, St. Louis, and Los Angeles that delivers project-based computational design and digital fabrication services for educational, cultural, commercial, and institutional clients, anchored by academic research partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

Keywords

• Computational architectural design
• Digital fabrication architecture
• Parametric building design
• Architectural design services
• Research-driven architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Tel Aviv

HQ country

Israel

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Project-based architectural design services for residential, commercial, institutional, and interior design projects

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Open Source Architecture (OSA) is an international architectural firm that delivers project-based architectural design services spanning industrial design, interior design, and residential and commercial buildings. The firm differentiates itself through pioneering design research, integrating computational design, evolutionary algorithms, and digital fabrication (including multi-material 3D printing and robotic fabrication) into architectural practice. Work is sourced through direct client engagement, architectural competitions, and academic collaborations across offices in Tel Aviv, St. Louis, and Los Angeles.

Product overview

Open Source Architecture (O-S-A) is an international architectural firm with offices in Tel Aviv, St. Louis, and Los Angeles, dedicated to pioneering design research. The firm's portfolio spans industrial design, interior design, and residential/commercial buildings, organized around design research categories including Affective Information (19%), Evolutionary Information (50%), and Programmatic Information (31%). Core offerings include architectural design services, research projects (such as Catoptric Surface robotic façade system, EvoDeVO Chair, Klimasymmetry radiant panel research), product design (AD3 Lamp, C-Chair), and publications (Architecture in Formation, Instabilities and Potentialities). The firm operates infrastructure labs equipped with Objet Connex 500 multi-material 3D printer, Kuka 6-axis robotic arm with CNC milling and 3D printing capabilities, and advanced computational workstations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Project-based architectural design services spanning industrial design, interior design, residential and commercial buildings for institutional, governmental, corporate, and cultural clients.
• Catoptric Surface Robotic façade research project in which independently rotating mirrors, controlled by computer and electric motors, reflect exterior daylight to precise interior locations to create pixels of daylight within buildings.
• EvoDeVO Chair Computational chair whose porous plywood laminate structure mimics the hierarchical organization of wooden fibers, with material density varied to conform to local mechanical stresses.
• AD3 Lamp Lamp exploring the dialog between a wood rectangular volume and a translucent 3D-printed form, designed for the Architecture + Design Museum Los Angeles 'Here and Now' fundraising auction.
• C-Chair Computational chair inspired by biological mechanisms, representing the first phase in an algorithmic framework for the evolution of differentiated architectural forms with tree (structural support) and rhizome (surface) components.
• Naver Cloud Data Center GAK2 75,000 m² data center campus in Sejong, South Korea, integrating server wings, human-oriented programs, and a lake within mountain valley topography with underground thermal regulation and rainwater cooling systems.
• The Hylomorphic Project Experimental structure generated by a customized technological engine integrating structural and environmental parameters using evolutionary algorithms, with automated design solutions and fabrication methods developed in collaboration with Cambridge University and ARUP.
• Sophie's Artist Lounge Artist lounge for the Kranzberg Arts Foundation providing a gallery, music venue, and spoken-word events space for emerging mural and street artists, including a residency program and artist studio.
• Klimasymmetry Design research project investigating custom fabricated radiant heating and cooling panels whose geometry responds to human physiology to influence sensory perception of space and optimize thermal comfort.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75,000 m2 Naver Cloud Data Center campus designed for NAVER Corporation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• EngraphixminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Provided interior signage for 3318 Building project.
• Creative Exchange LabmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Associate designer on Sophie's Artist Lounge project for Kranzberg Arts Foundation in St. Louis.
• PRAUDmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Co-architects on Naver Cloud Data Center GAK2 project alongside OSA for the 75,000 m2 data center campus in Sejong, South Korea.
• West 8majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Landscape architecture firm providing landscape design for Naver Cloud Data Center GAK2 project, with team including Christian Dobrick, Ludo Dings, and Yichun He.
• Buro HappoldmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Engineering firm providing structural, environmental, and technical engineering for Naver Cloud Data Center GAK2 project.
• Washington University in St. LouiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Collaboration on Catoptric Surface research project - a robotic façade system where mirrors rotate independently to reflect daylight. Washington University provided Principal Investigator Chandler Ahrens and Co-Investigator Roger Chamberlain from Computer Science and Engineering.
• Farrington Design GroupmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2015Architectural/Design team collaboration on CSU Addition project - 75,000 sq.ft educational facility.
• McGill University School of ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Principal Investigator Aaron Sprecher from McGill University led the EvoDeVO chair research - a porous structure mimicking hierarchical organization of wooden fibers in plywood laminates.
• Studio JantzenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2014Design collaboration on Rajeunir Black Caviar retail project in Houston, Texas.
• ARUP Los Angeles and LondonmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2006Structural engineering collaboration on The Hylomorphic Project - Judith Leuppi provided structural engineering services.
• Cambridge UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Computation collaboration on The Hylomorphic Project - Kristina Shea and Martina Gourtovaia provided computational algorithmic components for the pioneering customized technological engine.
• Material Topology Research Laboratory (MTRL) at TechnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch laboratory led by Aaron Sprecher focusing on synergy between information technologies, computational languages and digital fabrication systems in design processes.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): International architecture firm combining research with practice at scale. Like OSA, BIG leverages computational design and engineering partnerships to deliver innovative projects across commercial, residential, and cultural typologies globally.
• MAD Architects: China-based architecture firm led by Ma Yansong, known for innovative computational and organic forms. Shares OSA's interest in digital design research, exhibition presence, and integration of advanced technology into cultural and commercial projects.
• Heatherwick Studio: London-based design studio focused on material innovation and experimental architecture. Both firms share an emphasis on pioneering design research, exhibitions, publications, and bespoke projects for cultural and commercial clients.
• Zaha Hadid Architects: International architecture firm renowned for computational and parametric design. Both firms share a focus on digital fabrication, algorithmic form-finding, and pushing boundaries of computational architecture for cultural and commercial commissions worldwide.
• Snøhetta: International architecture and design firm with strong research culture and academic partnerships. Snøhetta's cross-disciplinary approach to public, cultural, and landscape projects parallels OSA's research-driven positioning.
• KieranTimberlake: US architecture firm recognized for technology-driven design and academic research culture, including development of Tally software. Shares OSA's commitment to integrating digital tools, fabrication, and academic research into architectural practice.
• UNStudio: Dutch architecture firm pioneering parametric and performance-driven design methodologies. UNStudio's data-informed, optimization-led approach parallels OSA's evolutionary algorithms and solar-tracking computational work in building skins.

Broad incumbents

• Grimshaw Architects: International architecture firm known for transportation and infrastructure projects, including data center work. Both firms engage in technology-driven design for institutional clients at scale, competing for similar megaproject commissions.
• Foster + Partners: Global architecture leader with technology-driven approach and innovation focus. While far larger and more diverse than OSA, Foster + Partners represents the incumbent competition for high-profile international commissions and top computational design talent.
• NBBJ: Large global architecture firm with substantial data center practice, including past work for NAVER. While broader and more commercial than OSA, NBBJ competes for similar tech infrastructure commissions and operates at significantly greater scale with hundreds of architects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/open-source-architecture

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 OSA