DAAM

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.

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

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

• Architecture design services
• Adaptive reuse design
• Residential architecture
• Commercial architecture
• Digital fabrication design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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

Core 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

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

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regular.

• FigurecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2023DAAM 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 RowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuild 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 EngineersmajorTechnology or IntegrationDAAM 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 StructuresmajorTechnology or IntegrationDAAM 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 ConsultantsregularTechnology or IntegrationDAAM uses ECL Engineering Consultants for MEP engineering on projects including Guild Row and Mindy's Bakery.
• Blake MEP / blakeMEPregularTechnology or IntegrationDAAM has engaged blakeMEP for MEP engineering on LYTE Lounge and Greater Good Studio projects.
• B. Leonard ConstructionregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDAAM worked with B. Leonard Construction as general contractor on the Guild Row project.
• Bowa ConstructionmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDAAM partnered with Bowa Construction as contractor on the UChicago Medicine Food Hall project.
• The BOWA GroupregularImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDAAM worked with The BOWA Group as contractor on the LYTE Lounge project.
• Kennedy & Violich Architecture (KVA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAAM 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.regularChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDAAM 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 LLCregularStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAAM 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 CreativeregularTechnology or IntegrationDAAM works with SSP Fabrication and 1840 Creative for CNC panel fabrication on projects like the Lyndale Roof Deck.
• Booth HansenmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDAAM 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/daam-projects
• Instagraminstagram.com/daamprojects

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 DAAM