DRUMLIN
DRUMLIN PLLC is a Chicago-based, minority- and veteran-owned architecture firm delivering architectural design, development advisory, and construction management services across Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona for commercial, retail, residential, and institutional clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersChicago, IL, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DRUMLIN does
DRUMLIN PLLC is a Chicago-based, minority- and veteran-owned architecture firm licensed to practice in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona. Founded in 2020 by Matthew Messner and James Holland as the successor to the predecessor practice Messner Architecture (2016–2020), the firm delivers a full-lifecycle professional services stack spanning architectural design, real estate development advisory, and construction management. The five-person team pursues project-based engagements priced as a percentage of project cost or via fixed quotes, with multi-year contracts typical for development and institutional work. Client mix is heterogeneous, spanning small commercial tenants (Color Me Mine franchisee, The Venue), mid-market developers (Historic Bronzeville, Marquette Companies), retail chains (Foxtrot Markets multi-location rollout), and civic or institutional entities.
The firm's core differentiators are its ownership certifications — VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) and Illinois Business Enterprise Program (IL-BEP) — which position it for set-aside public-sector procurement, and the individual credentials of its founders, including Venice Biennale publication, AIA and NOMA Illinois leadership, LEED AP accreditation, and a career project portfolio exceeding $400 million in cumulative value. The firm maintains affiliations with AIA, NOMA, CTBUH, USGBC, and NAOOP, and executes projects across residential, retail, mixed-use, and civic typologies. There is no disclosed AI/ML capability, proprietary technology platform, or external funding; operations are traditional professional services.
Revenue mechanics derive from fee-for-service project delivery rather than recurring subscriptions or productized offerings, making revenue non-recurring and project-cadence-dependent. The go-to-market leverages both private client referrals and institutional RFP pipelines, with the public-sector channel materially differentiated by certification status.
DRUMLIN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DRUMLIN
- Legal name
- DRUMLIN PLLC
- Website
- https://studiodrumlin.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DRUMLIN PLLC is a Chicago-based, minority- and veteran-owned architecture firm delivering architectural design, development advisory, and construction management services across Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona for commercial, retail, residential, and institutional clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DRUMLIN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Engineering Services (541330)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA)
Keywords
Where DRUMLIN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago, IL
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DRUMLIN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Architecture and Design Services: DRUMLIN charges a percentage of the total project cost for architectural services, with fees depending on project size and scope of services provided. Services span from conceptual design through construction documentation.
- Development Services: Site assessment, feasibility studies, and permitting management services supporting clients from earliest project planning stages through occupancy.
- Construction Management: Proactive oversight of construction projects maintaining adherence to safety, quality, and compliance standards with strict budget and timeline controls.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Percentage of project cost model |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
DRUMLIN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DRUMLIN PLLC is a Chicago-based, minority and veteran-owned architecture and development firm providing end-to-end architectural design, construction documentation, permitting, and construction management services. The firm guides clients from initial due diligence and feasibility studies through conceptual design, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, and project closeout for government, commercial, healthcare, educational, and residential projects.
Product overview
DRUMLIN is a minority and veteran-owned architecture firm (VOSB, IL-BEP) providing comprehensive architectural and development services from design through construction. The company offers a unified service portfolio organized around the full project lifecycle: architectural design services (programming through design development), construction documentation and administration, permit management, and specialized capabilities including renderings, surveying, constructability reviews, risk management, strategic advisement, scheduling, and cost estimating. All services are delivered by a team of licensed architects with expertise spanning government buildings, educational facilities, healthcare institutions, and mixed-use developments. The firm is licensed in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services
Companies that use DRUMLIN
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DRUMLIN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
DRUMLIN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)minorProfessional membership organization for architects. DRUMLIN team members hold AIA credentials and maintain affiliation with this leading professional association.
- National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA)minorJames Holland serves as Illinois Chapter President of NOMA. Professional advocacy organization promoting diversity and inclusion in architecture.
- Chicago Council on High Rise BuildingsminorProfessional organization focused on tall buildings and urban habitat. James Holland is an active member.
- Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)minorInternational organization focused on tall buildings and sustainable urban design. James Holland is an active member.
- NeoCon Program Review BoardminorJames Holland serves on the NeoCon Program Review Board, the premier commercial design expo in North America.
- Federal, State, and Local Government AgenciescoreAs a veteran-owned business, DRUMLIN is positioned to serve government agencies. Services include programming, design, construction documentation, and administration for public projects.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DRUMLIN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DRUMLIN social profiles
Digital presenceDRUMLIN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DRUMLIN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DRUMLIN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DRUMLIN 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 DRUMLIN
What does DRUMLIN do?
DRUMLIN PLLC is a Chicago-based, minority and veteran-owned architecture and development firm providing end-to-end architectural design, construction documentation, permitting, and construction management services. The firm guides clients from initial due diligence and feasibility studies through conceptual design, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, and project closeout for government, commercial, healthcare, educational, and residential projects.
Is DRUMLIN a public or private company?
DRUMLIN is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DRUMLIN founded?
DRUMLIN was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DRUMLIN based?
DRUMLIN is headquartered in Chicago, IL, United States, in the North America region.
How does DRUMLIN make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Architecture and Design Services are the primary driver. The others are development Services and construction Management.
Who are DRUMLIN's main competitors?
Studio Gang is listed as a direct peer.
Does DRUMLIN have an API?
No public API is recorded for DRUMLIN.
What industry is DRUMLIN in?
DRUMLIN's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAA, Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting. Its NAICS code is 5413 and its SIC code is 8711.