DAAM
DAAM is a Chicago-based architecture and design firm specializing in cross-disciplinary projects spanning residential, institutional, healthcare, and community typologies for homeowners, developers, universities, and public-sector clients across the Midwest and Northeast.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DAAM does
DAAM is a Chicago-based architecture and design firm operating as DAAM, LLC, founded in 2016 by principal Elyse Agnello with Alex Shelly joining shortly thereafter. The firm provides full-service architectural design across residential, commercial, institutional, and cultural typologies, spanning adaptive reuse, renovations, additions, and new construction primarily across the Midwest and Northeast. Projects range from small-scale renovations (Mindy's Bakery at 2,380 SF) to large institutional buildings (Goergen Institute for Data Science at 59,000 SF; Roseland ReSet at 46,000 SF), with a client base that includes private homeowners, developers, universities (Harvard, University of Rochester, University of Chicago), healthcare systems, non-profits, and government agencies. The firm operates as a small team (under 20 people based on its past/present roster) and is a certified Women Business Enterprise pre-qualified for the Illinois Capital Development Board and City of Chicago INVEST South/West initiative.
The firm's core technical capability is a cross-disciplinary practice that integrates Rhino-3D modeling, parametric design, and CNC fabrication within an in-house digital fabrication lab, paired with traditional handcraft and iterative physical prototyping. Notable technical features include algorithmic corbelled brick detailing linked to building geometry (Tozzer Anthropology Library) and CNC-milled custom trellis systems responsive to solar orientation (Lyndale Roof Deck). An in-house construction arm, 'DAAM Builds,' enables integrated design-build delivery on select projects. Revenue is generated through project-based professional service fees on bespoke engagements; pricing is project-specific and not publicly disclosed. Customer acquisition relies on earned media in top-tier architectural publications (Architectural Record, Dezeen, Wallpaper*, Dwell), industry award recognition (Design Vanguard 2021, Next Progressives 2022, multiple AIA citations), direct client engagement, and referrals through the firm's collaborator and principal networks.
DAAM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DAAM
- Legal name
- DAAM, LLC
- Website
- https://daamprojects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DAAM is a Chicago-based architecture and design firm specializing in cross-disciplinary projects spanning residential, institutional, healthcare, and community typologies for homeowners, developers, universities, and public-sector clients across the Midwest and Northeast.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DAAM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Interior Design Services (54141)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)
- akta.pro primary industry
- ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering (HSAPAMAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- ADU Project Management & General Contracting (HSAPAMAO)
Keywords
Where DAAM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DAAM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architecture & Design Services: DAAM earns fees through full-service architectural and design project engagements. Projects range from small residential renovations to large institutional/commercial developments. Revenue is project-based, one-time per engagement.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
DAAM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DAAM is a Chicago-based architecture and design firm providing full-service architectural design for residential, commercial, institutional, and cultural projects — including adaptive reuse, renovations, additions, and new construction across the Midwest and Northeast. The firm also operates DAAM Builds, an in-house construction and contracting arm enabling integrated design-build delivery on select projects such as Triangle House and Belden Loft.
Product overview
DAAM is an award-winning architecture and design firm based in Chicago. The firm offers architectural design services as its core offering, complemented by in-house construction capabilities through DAAM Builds for select projects. Projects span living (residential homes, multi-family, adaptive reuse), learning (educational facilities, libraries, research buildings), gathering (food halls, community centers, social clubs), recreating (wellness facilities), and prototyping (furniture, objects, custom millwork). The firm specializes in cross-disciplinary design combining digital tools with traditional craftsmanship, serving clients from individual homeowners to institutional and commercial developers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services Full-service architectural design for residential, commercial, institutional, and cultural projects, specializing in adaptive reuse, renovations, additions, and new construction. Serves clients including private homeowners, developers, universities, healthcare systems, and non-profit organizations across the Midwest and Northeast.
- DAAM Builds
Quantifiable outcome
- 2021 Design Vanguard Award winner by Architectural Record — recognizing emerging architectural practices globally
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DAAM
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DAAM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
DAAM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regular.
- FigurecoreDAAM partnered with Figure (San Francisco-based design firm) to design the UChicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery Food Hall. This was a co-design collaboration where DAAM served as architect and Figure as design consultant. The project won the 2025 Architectural Record Interiors Award and was an Architizer A+ Awards finalist.
- Guild RowcoreGuild Row is a co-founded venture by DAAM Principal Elyse Agnello. DAAM designed and continues to operate/manage Guild Row, a membership club and social hub in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood. It serves as both a client project and a personal venture of the principal.
- Buro Happold Consulting EngineersmajorDAAM has collaborated extensively with Buro Happold on multiple projects including Tozzer Anthropology Library, Goergen Institute for Data Science, Global Flora Botanical Conservatory, and IBA Soft House. Buro Happold provides structural, MEP, and envelope engineering services across these projects.
- Rockey StructuresmajorDAAM has worked with Rockey Structures as structural engineer on multiple residential and commercial projects including Starter Home, Kenwood Residence, Cooperation Racine, and Greater Good Studio.
- ECL Engineering ConsultantsregularDAAM uses ECL Engineering Consultants for MEP engineering on projects including Guild Row and Mindy's Bakery.
- Blake MEP / blakeMEPregularDAAM has engaged blakeMEP for MEP engineering on LYTE Lounge and Greater Good Studio projects.
- B. Leonard ConstructionregularDAAM worked with B. Leonard Construction as general contractor on the Guild Row project.
- Bowa ConstructionmajorDAAM partnered with Bowa Construction as contractor on the UChicago Medicine Food Hall project.
- The BOWA GroupregularDAAM worked with The BOWA Group as contractor on the LYTE Lounge project.
- Kennedy & Violich Architecture (KVA)majorBoth DAAM principals worked at Kennedy & Violich Architecture prior to founding DAAM. Multiple projects in DAAM's portfolio (IBA Soft House, Tozzer Library, Chrysanthemum Building, Global Flora, etc.) were completed while employed at KVA. This is a legacy partnership reflected in DAAM's portfolio and expertise.
- In Care of Black Women (ICOBW)coreDAAM is partnering with ICOBW on multiple community projects: Cooperation Racine (a live/work space and community center in West Englewood) and the Cooperation Racine project in Racine, WI. DAAM principal Elyse Agnello is a co-founder of Guild Row and has deep ties to this community arts organization.
- ZSD Corp.regularDAAM has completed multiple projects with ZSD Corp., including the 2x3x5 historic renovation in Wicker Park and the Gold Coast multi-family adaptive reuse project. ZSD Corp. appears as a repeat developer client.
- Beauty for Ashes Developers LLCregularDAAM is partnering with Beauty for Ashes Developers LLC as part of the City of Chicago's Missing Middle Infill Housing Project to develop multi-unit residential buildings in the North Lawndale neighborhood.
- SSP Fabrication / 1840 CreativeregularDAAM works with SSP Fabrication and 1840 Creative for CNC panel fabrication on projects like the Lyndale Roof Deck.
- Booth HansenmajorDAAM and Booth Hansen formed a team shortlisted for the Roseland Theatre site as part of the City of Chicago Invest South/West Initiative. Booth Hansen serves as Architect of Record on the Roseland ReSet project while DAAM serves as design collaborator.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DAAM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Snøhetta: Global architecture and design practice with a strong cultural, institutional, and adaptive reuse portfolio; broader in scale but overlapping with DAAM in conceptual, context-driven institutional and cultural commissions.
- Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG): Global architecture firm with a strong cultural, institutional, and adaptive-reuse portfolio emphasizing experimentation and digital design — comparable to DAAM in approach but significantly larger in scale and reach.
Direct peers
- Heatherwick Studio: London-based cross-disciplinary design studio blending architecture, art, and making with a strong craft and fabrication identity — comparable to DAAM's positioning at the intersection of design, art, and hands-on fabrication.
- Olson Kundig: Seattle-based design practice recognized for cross-disciplinary architecture integrating craft, fabrication, and custom detail — directly comparable to DAAM's 'Designers, Architects, Artists and Makers' ethos and fabrication-driven process.
- NADAAA: Boston-based research-driven design practice with deep expertise in digital fabrication, material innovation, and integrated building systems — closely aligned with DAAM's fabrication-first, computationally driven approach.
- Studio Gang: Chicago-based architecture and urban design practice led by Jeanne Gang with a similar focus on conceptual rigor, contextual design, and award-winning institutional, cultural, and residential projects. Directly comparable in geography, scale, and design philosophy to DAAM.
- Wheeler Kearns Architects: Chicago-based architecture firm known for residential, cultural, and adaptive reuse projects with conceptual, context-driven design — closely comparable to DAAM's project types, scale, and Chicago roots.
- Kennedy & Violich Architecture (KVA): Boston/Chicago firm where both DAAM principals previously worked; KVA's portfolio (Tozzer, IBA Soft House, Global Flora) directly overlaps with DAAM's portfolio and approach to research-driven, parametric, and adaptive-reuse institutional work.
- Lake|Flato: San Antonio-based architecture firm celebrated for sustainable, context-resonant residential and institutional work and Social Consciousness in Design; comparable to DAAM in cross-disciplinary scope and recognition profile.
Emerging players
- OWHA (Office for Word, Hoops & Architecture): Small experimental architecture practice with a focus on craft, fabrication, and community-oriented design — comparable as an emerging Chicago-adjacent peer with a similar scale and design ethos.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DAAM social profiles
Digital presenceDAAM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DAAM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
DAAM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DAAM 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 DAAM
What does DAAM do?
DAAM is a Chicago-based architecture and design firm providing full-service architectural design for residential, commercial, institutional, and cultural projects — including adaptive reuse, renovations, additions, and new construction across the Midwest and Northeast. The firm also operates DAAM Builds, an in-house construction and contracting arm enabling integrated design-build delivery on select projects such as Triangle House and Belden Loft.
Is DAAM a public or private company?
DAAM is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was DAAM founded?
DAAM was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DAAM based?
DAAM is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does DAAM make money?
One revenue line is on record: architecture & Design Services.
Who are DAAM's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Snøhetta and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). Direct peers are Heatherwick Studio, Olson Kundig, NADAAA, Studio Gang, Wheeler Kearns Architects, Kennedy & Violich Architecture (KVA) and Lake|Flato. OWHA (Office for Word, Hoops & Architecture) is listed as an emerging player.
Does DAAM have an API?
No public API is recorded for DAAM.
What industry is DAAM in?
DAAM's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAPAMAF, ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering, with a secondary code of HSAPAMAO, ADU Project Management & General Contracting. Its NAICS code is 541310 and its SIC code is 1520.