PLACE architect ltd
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersWest Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PLACE architect ltd does
PLACE architect ltd is a woman-owned architecture firm founded in 1999 in Seattle and relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia in 2007. The firm employs 1-10 staff and operates a distributed network of licensed architects across Washington State and four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan). Its practice centers on sustainable design and spans architecture, interior design, and project management for residential, commercial, civic, and developer-led projects. Principal Heather Johnston leads the firm, which holds Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification and has been recognized among the Top 50 Architectural Firms in the Pacific Northwest.
The firm's product surface extends beyond traditional professional services through PLACE Houses, a prefab housing line developed in partnership with DLH Inc. PLACE Houses offers four modular configurations: Tiny (1,100 sqft), Small (1,250 sqft), Medium (2,500 sqft), and Large (2,650 sqft), enabling the firm to participate in the housing-product market rather than purely custom commissions. The distributed architect-of-record model allows PLACE to staff projects locally in each licensed jurisdiction while maintaining a small central team.
Revenue is generated through traditional architectural service fees on commissioned projects, supplemented by the PLACE Houses product channel via DLH. Customer segments include individual residential clients, civic and government entities (City of Kirkland, Puget Sound Regional Council), and private developers (Knoll Development). The firm has been featured in industry publications including Archinect and Architect Magazine, supporting its positioning on RFPs where sustainability credentials and WBE status are decision criteria.
PLACE architect ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PLACE architect ltd
- Legal name
- PLACE architect ltd.
- Website
- https://placearchitects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PLACE architect ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering (HSAPAMAF), Custom Home Building (IMAFABAC)
Keywords
Where PLACE architect ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Vancouver, BC
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
PLACE architect ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: PLACE provides full-service architectural services across five phases: predesign (project requirements, program, code/zoning review), schematic design (vision, concepts, design drawings), design development (permit drawings coordination), construction documents (working drawings, specifications), and construction phase services (owner advocacy, coordination, inspections). The firm offers services ranging from hourly design consultations to complete project delivery through construction.
- Prefab House Sales: PLACE Houses sells modular prefab house designs (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large) through partnership with DLH Inc. Stock designs offer 20-30% cost savings and half the construction time compared to custom builds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Consultation to Full-Service Architecture |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
PLACE architect ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PLACE architect ltd provides full-service architectural design across five phases—predesign, schematic design, permit drawings, construction documents, and construction phase services—for residential, commercial, civic, and multifamily projects across the Pacific Northwest. The firm also sells PLACE Houses, a line of modern prefab housing (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large stock designs) developed in partnership with DLH Inc, offering 20-30% cost savings and half the construction time of custom builds. Services range from hourly design consultations to complete project delivery through construction.
Product overview
PLACE architect ltd is an award-winning architecture and design firm offering a portfolio of design services across residential, commercial, civic, and multifamily sectors. The firm's notable product line includes PLACE Houses, a modern prefab housing series developed in partnership with DLH Inc., offering four stock designs (PH Tiny, PH Small, PH Medium, PH Large) that provide 20-30% cost savings and half the on-site construction time compared to custom builds. These prefab houses feature green construction, energy efficiency, and sustainable design principles characteristic of the firm's broader practice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PLACE Houses: Prefab/modular house line developed with DLH Inc featuring modern, green construction in four stock designs (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large) offering 20-30% cost savings and half the on-site construction time of custom builds.
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services
- PLACE House Tiny (PH Tiny)
- PLACE House Small (PH Small)
- PLACE House Medium (PH Medium)
- PLACE House Large (PH Large)
- PH-1
Quantifiable outcome
- 20-30% cost savings and half construction time for prefab houses compared to custom builds
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PLACE architect ltd
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PLACE architect ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
PLACE architect ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DLH InccorePLACE partnered with DLH Inc to launch the PLACE Houses line of modern, prefab houses for eco-conscious consumers. This strategic collaboration developed four stock designs (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large) featuring streamlined modular construction with significant cost and time savings.
- Knoll DevelopmentcoreOngoing partnership with Knoll Development designing live/work projects including Roosevelt & Ravenna (15,000 SF ten-unit complex), Morgan Junction (14-unit courtyard development), and 52nd & 15th (three-unit live/work building). These projects pioneered the live/work housing typology in Seattle.
- Alchemy ConstructionminorBuilder partner for the Take Two project in East Vancouver, a duplex development that was a HAVAN awards finalist. Construction partnership delivering efficient two-unit housing on tight budget.
- BODA ConstructionminorBuilder partner for Braeside Street renovation project in West Vancouver. Acknowledged for exceptional patience, diligence, and attention to detail on the multi-level family home renovation.
- Bri Ragona InteriorsminorInterior design partner for North Point Brewing project, collaborating on the cabin-style craft brewery space in North Vancouver's Shipyards District.
- Fluid EngineeringminorMechanical engineering partner for North Point Brewing, providing technical expertise for the brewery conversion project.
- Opal EngineeringminorElectrical engineering partner for North Point Brewing project.
- Jansson Structural Consulting Ltd.minorStructural engineering partner for North Point Brewing project.
- Rockingham Engineering Ltd.minorStructural engineering partner for Thunderbird Studios restoration project in West Vancouver, collaborating on the cliffside cottage and pottery studio reconstruction.
- Puget Sound Regional CouncilcorePartnership with Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) to design and document three Bike + Ride facility types: uncovered bike parking, high-density enclosed bike parking, and full-service manned stations. First PSRC member (Everett Community College) installed bike parking enclosure in 2007.
- City of KirklandminorCollaboration with City of Kirkland for the Totem Square 9-acre urban development project. DUO project served as pilot for City of Kirkland's Built Green program, resulting in fast-tracked permitting process.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
PLACE architect ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture and design firm known for residential, commercial, and civic projects with strong craft and sustainability focus. Directly comparable as a Pacific Northwest design-led practice serving similar client mix.
- KPMB Architects: Vancouver/Toronto architecture firm known for cultural, institutional, civic, and residential projects with a strong design ethos. Comparable as a Western Canadian design practice working across similar project types.
- Dialog: Western Canadian architecture and engineering firm delivering residential, commercial, and civic projects across BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Comparable for cross-jurisdictional Canadian practice and mixed-use/residential expertise.
- LMN Architects: Seattle architecture firm specializing in civic, cultural, convention, and commercial projects. Comparable as a Pacific Northwest design firm with a similar mix of public and commercial clients.
- Revery Architecture (formerly Bing Thom Architects): Vancouver-based architecture firm focused on civic, cultural, residential, and mixed-use projects. Comparable as a Vancouver design practice with strong public-sector and urban design portfolio.
- Mithun: Seattle-headquartered architecture, urban design, and interior design firm with strong sustainability credentials and a wide mix of residential, commercial, and civic clients. Comparable to PLACE architect ltd in mission and Pacific Northwest market focus.
- McFarlane Biggar Architects + Designers: Vancouver-based architecture and interior design firm working on residential, mixed-use, and commercial projects. Comparable as a similarly sized Vancouver practice with overlapping client base and service mix.
- Henriquez Partners Architects: Vancouver-based architecture firm with deep expertise in mixed-use, civic, and residential developments including social and community housing. Comparable as a Vancouver design firm tackling complex residential and public-sector projects.
Emerging players
- Plant Prefab: California-based sustainable prefab housing manufacturer offering factory-built custom and standard home designs. Comparable as a prefab/modular housing brand with sustainability positioning, directly relevant to PLACE Houses product line.
Broad incumbents
- Perkins&Will: Global architecture and design firm with strong sustainability practice and significant Pacific Northwest presence. Comparable for sustainable design expertise and broad public/private sector client base, though much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PLACE architect ltd social profiles
Digital presencePLACE architect ltd compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
PLACE architect ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PLACE architect ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
PLACE architect ltd subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
PLACE architect ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PLACE architect ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PLACE architect ltd
What does PLACE architect ltd do?
PLACE architect ltd provides full-service architectural design across five phases—predesign, schematic design, permit drawings, construction documents, and construction phase services—for residential, commercial, civic, and multifamily projects across the Pacific Northwest. The firm also sells PLACE Houses, a line of modern prefab housing (Tiny, Small, Medium, Large stock designs) developed in partnership with DLH Inc, offering 20-30% cost savings and half the construction time of custom builds. Services range from hourly design consultations to complete project delivery through construction.
Is PLACE architect ltd a public or private company?
PLACE architect ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was PLACE architect ltd founded?
PLACE architect ltd was founded in 1999. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is PLACE architect ltd based?
PLACE architect ltd is headquartered in West Vancouver, BC, Canada, in the North America region.
How does PLACE architect ltd make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Architectural Design Services are the primary driver. The others are prefab House Sales.
Who are PLACE architect ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Olson Kundig, KPMB Architects, Dialog, LMN Architects, Revery Architecture (formerly Bing Thom Architects), Mithun, McFarlane Biggar Architects + Designers and Henriquez Partners Architects. Plant Prefab is listed as an emerging player. Perkins&Will is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does PLACE architect ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for PLACE architect ltd.
What industry is PLACE architect ltd in?
PLACE architect ltd's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services. Its NAICS code is 54131 and its SIC code is 1520.