What HINGE STUDIO LLC does

Hinge Studio LLC is a Seattle-based architecture firm that delivers design services across commercial, residential, food and beverage, animal care/veterinary, public, and adaptive reuse project types. Founded by principal Kate Cudney and operating as an LLC since approximately 2010, the firm is structured as a small boutique practice with four named professionals based at its headquarters in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood within the Side Rail Collective creative community. The firm's portfolio spans marquee regional commissions including the SIFF Film Center, Chihuly Garden + Glass exhibition at Seattle Center, DeLille Cellars winery in Woodinville, and a recurring relationship with Heavy Restaurant Group on multiple restaurant projects, alongside a deep specialty track in veterinary clinic design. The firm has begun expanding into adjacent service lines such as planning studies, feasibility studies, and healthcare-facility design, and has run projects outside Washington State including Texas-based work and a pro-bono engagement in Kenya.

Hinge Studio's core product surface is project-based architectural services organized into six verticals—Commercial, Residential, Food and Beverage, Animal Care/Veterinary, Public, and Adaptive Reuse—each with dedicated portfolio segments on the firm website. The underlying technology is conventional architectural design and project management, with a distinctive design philosophy centered on adaptive reuse, transformation of existing structures, and the use of salvaged and reclaimed materials to meet client budgets while preserving contextual character. There is no disclosed proprietary software platform or technology moat; the firm's offering is differentiated by domain expertise and philosophy rather than by tool or model. Distribution is direct-to-client engagement across the Pacific Northwest, with portfolio-website content marketing and organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn) functioning as the top-of-funnel acquisition motion.

Revenue mechanics rely on project-based professional-services fees, with fees determined by scope, square footage, and complexity rather than standardized tiered pricing. Multi-year contracts are observed on at least one major engagement (Armory Conference Center renovation) and on enterprise accounts such as DeLille Cellars and the City of Seattle, while smaller residential and SMB engagements operate on shorter project cycles. The firm has disclosed no funding, no outside investors, and no revenue figures; ownership is founder-controlled, and there is no indication of institutional capital, M&A activity, or imminent exit events.

Name

HINGE STUDIO LLC

Legal name

Hinge Studio LLC

Website

https://hingestudio.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hinge Studio LLC is a Seattle-based architecture firm that designs commercial, residential, food and beverage, animal care, public, and adaptive reuse projects across the Pacific Northwest, founded by principal Kate Cudney.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

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

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Professional architecture services billed through project-based contracts for commercial, residential, and public projects including design, planning, and project management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Hinge Studio LLC is a Seattle-based architecture firm that provides design services for commercial, residential, animal care, food and beverage, and public space projects. The firm specializes in adaptive reuse and sustainable design approaches, working with institutional clients, homeowners, and businesses across the Pacific Northwest.

Product overview

Hinge Studio LLC is an architecture firm based in Seattle, WA that provides comprehensive architectural and interior design services. The firm operates as a single unified practice rather than a platform-plus-modules structure. Their portfolio encompasses commercial architecture, residential design (including remodels and DADUs), food and beverage space design (restaurants, breweries, wineries), animal care/veterinary facilities, public spaces, and adaptive reuse projects. The firm is recognized for sustainable design practices and adaptive reuse expertise, and is part of Side Rail Collective, a creative collective in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Architecture Services
• Residential Architecture Services
• Animal Care Facility Design
• Adaptive Reuse Design
• Food and Beverage Space Design
• Public Space Design

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Side Rail CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative collective dedicated to cultivating a supportive inclusive space for creative ideas and pursuits. Offers members and the community a no-commission/low fee environment to gather, create, collaborate, educate and share ideas and work. Founded 5 years ago by Hinge Founder Kate Cudney. Hinge and Side Rail share physical space in historic Bertholdi Hall above Georgetown Pizza and Arcade in Seattle's Georgetown Neighborhood.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Gensler: Global design and architecture firm with broad practice across commercial interiors, hospitality, retail, and cultural projects. Comparable in design-led interior work but vastly larger scale.
• NBBJ: Large global architecture and design firm headquartered in Seattle. Overlaps with Hinge on commercial, healthcare, and public sectors; competes broadly but at much larger scale and reach.
• LMN Architects: Major Seattle architecture firm with a broader practice across civic, cultural, commercial, and convention-scale projects. Overlaps with Hinge in cultural and public work, but at much larger scale.
• Perkins&Will: National architecture firm with deep healthcare, education, and cultural practices and a strong sustainability agenda. Broad incumbent comparable on adaptive reuse and sustainability positioning.

Direct peers

• SHoP Architects: National architecture firm recognized for adaptive reuse, large-scale urban infill, and innovative mixed-use projects. Comparable on adaptive reuse specialization though at much larger scale.
• SkB Architects: Seattle-based architecture firm with a portfolio across residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality. Comparable in regional focus, scale, and multi-vertical design practice.
• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based architecture firm known for craft-driven, custom residential and adaptive reuse projects. Highly comparable to Hinge Studio given overlapping Pacific Northwest geography, design-led sensibility, and custom design focus across scales.
• Miller Hull Partnership: Seattle architecture firm with deep expertise in sustainable, equitable design and adaptive reuse. Directly comparable on sustainability emphasis and regional client base.
• Board and Vellum: Seattle architecture firm with a portfolio across residential remodels, ADUs, commercial, and brewery/restaurant interiors. Closely matches Hinge in scale, regional focus, and vertical mix.
• Mithun: Seattle-headquartered design firm with a national practice in sustainable architecture and adaptive reuse. Comparable service mix spanning residential, commercial, public, and mixed-use projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HingeStudio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hinge-studio-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/hingestudio
• Pinterestpinterest.com/hingestudio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 HINGE STUDIO LLC