What Liquid Design + Architecture does

Liquid Design + Architecture is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based architecture studio founded in 2000 by Mike Lee Standley, AIA and Michael Williams, AIA LEED AP. The firm provides architectural design, interior design, planning/masterplanning, and project management services organized around four core service areas and a "blended typology" approach that integrates commercial/retail, custom residential, and planning/masterplanning disciplines. Service offerings span feasibility studies, 3D visualization, Building Information Modeling (BIM), sustainability design (including the proprietary Earth-Green Design Solutions program launched in 2008), construction documentation, construction administration, integrated landscape design, integrated lighting design, and sustainable design consulting.

The firm generates revenue through professional service fees for design, planning, and construction administration on a project-specific basis. Its go-to-market is relationship-driven and direct, engaging developers, corporations, government entities, and private clients. Customer segments include commercial and corporate clients, residential clients, planning/masterplanning clients, active-lifestyle and recreation developers, and hospitality/entertainment operators. Notable flagship projects include the US National Whitewater Center (world's largest re-circulating whitewater facility), Montgomery Whitewater ($90M, completed 2023), Storm Ranch Swiftwater Training Center, The Lake ($1.1B mixed-use development in Chesterfield, VA with Endless Surf), and the Kansas Outdoor Center ($70M).

Liquid Design operates primarily across the US Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, South Central, Southwest, and Midwest, with active international projects in the Cayman Islands, Bahamas, and Málaga, Spain. The firm is privately held, with ownership and creative direction concentrated in the two founding principals. Recognition includes multiple AIA Charlotte and AIA North Carolina awards, Charlotte Business Journal Green Project of the Year awards, and editorial features in Architect Magazine, Esquire, National Geographic Adventure, Popular Science, and a Discovery Channel documentary.

Name

Liquid Design + Architecture

Legal name

Liquid Design & Architecture

Website

https://liquiddesign.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Liquid Design + Architecture is a Charlotte, NC architecture studio founded in 2000, providing architectural design, interior design, masterplanning, and project management. The firm serves developers, government entities, corporations, and private clients with specialized expertise in active-lifestyle and water-based recreation facilities across the US and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Landscape Architectural Services (54132), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC), Space Planning & Workplace Design (BPAHAKAI), Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Master planning services
• Sustainable architecture design
• Interior design services
• Recreational facility design

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural design from early concept through execution, spanning commercial, residential, recreational, interiors, planning, and project management. Revenue is generated through professional service fees for design, planning, and construction administration.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Liquid Design + Architecture is a Charlotte-based architecture studio providing full-service architectural design, interior design, planning/masterplanning, and project management across commercial, custom residential, recreational, and active-lifestyle mixed-use environments. The firm differentiates through a blended typology approach and signature specialty in active-lifestyle and water-based recreational facilities such as whitewater centers and surf parks.

Product overview

Liquid Design + Architecture is a Charlotte-based architecture studio offering a comprehensive suite of design services organized around four core service areas: Architecture, Interior Design, Planning/Masterplanning, and Project Management. The firm operates across three design typologies—Commercial/Retail, Custom Residential, and Planning/Masterplanning—and differentiates itself through a multidisciplinary approach that blends these typologies together. Their portfolio includes specialty services such as Feasibility Studies, 3D Visualization, Sustainability Design (including their proprietary Earth-Green Design Solutions program), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Construction Documentation, Construction Administration, Integrated Landscape Design, Integrated Lighting Design, and Sustainable Design Consulting. The firm serves diverse sectors including office/commercial, retail, lifestyle mixed-use, active lifestyle mixed-use, single-family and multi-family residential, recreational, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture Services Core architectural design service delivering innovative and functional designs aligned with client goals across commercial, residential, recreational, and mixed-use projects.
• Interior Design Cohesive interior design service including selection of materials, finishes, furniture, and lighting to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of interior spaces.
• Planning / Masterplanning Comprehensive land use, urban design, and sustainable development planning services that shape communities and large-scale developments.
• Project Management Comprehensive project management service that coordinates design phases from early planning through final execution with clarity and care.
• Feasibility Studies In-depth assessments evaluating the viability and potential of projects considering economic, environmental, and regulatory factors.
• Earth-Green Design Solutions Proprietary sustainability design program bundling green design methods into seven categories with recognizable icons to simplify the sustainable design process for clients.
• 3D Visualization Realistic and immersive visual representations of designs enabling clients to better understand and visualize the final outcome of a project.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) Advanced digital modeling tools creating detailed 3D models that enhance coordination and collaboration among project stakeholders.
• Construction Documentation & Administration Comprehensive construction documentation, administration, and oversight services ensuring smooth execution of design intent during the construction phase.
• Integrated Landscape & Lighting Design Specialty design of outdoor spaces and customized lighting solutions enhancing ambiance, functionality, and visual appeal of interior and exterior environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• ENERGY STAR certified homes with Healthy Built Home certification
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Endless SurfcoreTechnology or IntegrationEndless Surf's surf pool technology is utilized in The Lake development's world-class surf park, one of the largest artificial wave facilities globally. Liquid Design serves as the architectural partner for these surf park installations.
• Calibre EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalibre Engineering designed and engineered the outdoor swiftwater training grounds at Storm Ranch, featuring two unique swiftwater channels connected to a lower pond. Liquid Design integrated supporting structures in close collaboration with their team.
• City of RockfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiquid Design provided conceptual design services to the City of Rockford for the transformative riverfront redevelopment project, including operational planning, cost estimating, site layouts, renderings, and program development.
• Governor of Kansas / State Park OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiquid Design worked with the Governor's Office and State Park Office to masterplan and create conceptual design for the Kansas Outdoor Center, a $70 million outdoor lifestyle facility.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lake|Flato Architects: Design-driven, sustainability-focused architecture firm based in San Antonio serving residential, commercial, and recreation sectors. Closely mirrors Liquid Design's blended typology approach, sustainable design ethos, and award-winning mid-sized studio model.
• Populous: Global architecture firm specializing in sports venues, convention centers, and large-scale experiential destinations. Directly comparable to Liquid Design's sports, recreation, and large public-assembly venue work (USNWC, NASCAR, Montgomery Whitewater), though Populous operates at materially larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Sasaki Associates: Design firm integrating architecture, landscape architecture, planning, and urban design for master planned communities and mixed-use destinations. Closely comparable to Liquid Design's blended typology approach, master planning practice, and focus on large-scale, multi-disciplinary site design.
• WATG: Architecture and design firm focused on hospitality, resort, and entertainment venues with deep experience in immersive, experience-driven destinations. Comparable to Liquid Design's resort, surf park, and outdoor adventure projects (The Lake, Storm Ranch, USNWC Outdoor Adventure Resort & Spa).
• SWA Group: Landscape architecture and urban design firm specializing in master planning, mixed-use developments, and outdoor recreation environments. Comparable to Liquid Design's planning/masterplanning and active lifestyle work, particularly around water-based recreational venues and large-scale community design.

Broad incumbents

• HOK: Global design, architecture, and engineering firm with deep sports, recreation, and master planning practice. Comparable in project typology (sports venues, master planned communities, workplace) but with significantly larger geographic and disciplinary footprint than Liquid Design.
• Gensler: Largest global architecture and design firm, serving commercial, hospitality, residential, and master planning sectors. Overlaps with Liquid Design's commercial, adaptive reuse, and master planning capabilities, but operates at vastly larger scale with a broader portfolio that includes workplace and large mixed-use towers.
• Perkins&Will: Large global architecture firm with strong sustainability practice and broad typology coverage. Comparable to Liquid Design in commercial, healthcare, and sustainable design work but operates at significantly greater scale with international offices.

Regional players

• LS3P Associates: Mid-sized architecture firm headquartered in the Carolinas with offices across the Southeast. Directly comparable to Liquid Design in Southeast regional focus, commercial and residential practice, and similar firm scale, though with broader civic and healthcare institutional work.
• Clark Nexsen: Southeast US-based architecture and engineering firm serving civic, commercial, and recreation sectors. Comparable to Liquid Design in Southeast regional presence and project typologies including civic, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/liquiddesignarchitecture

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 Liquid Design + Architecture