Kobayashi + Zedda Architects
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects is a Whitehorse-based architecture and planning firm founded in 1993, the largest in Canada's North, serving First Nations governments, territorial and municipal governments, and housing corporations across Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia with integrated design-build services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersWhitehorse, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Kobayashi + Zedda Architects does
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects Ltd. (KZA) is a privately held Whitehorse, Yukon-based architecture and planning firm founded in 1993 by principals Jack Kobayashi and Antonio Zedda. Operating from headquarters at 26-1114 Front Street, Whitehorse, KZA is the largest architecture firm in Canada's North, with a roughly 12-person multi-disciplinary staff including urban planners, architects, general contractors, and carpenters. The firm has completed over 800 design projects across Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia, plus at least one project in Alaska, with project values ranging from small residential renovations to a C$70 million correctional facility (Whitehorse Correctional Centre).
KZA generates revenue through professional services fees across three streams: (1) full architectural design for institutional, commercial, residential, and community projects; (2) long-range planning, master planning, and visioning engagements, especially for First Nations communities; and (3) integrated design-build delivery through a longstanding partnership with 360 Design Build, which has executed over C$20 million of construction in downtown Whitehorse since 2002. Core technical differentiation lies in cold-climate energy-efficient design (C2000 designation, Passive House, NECB outperformance of up to 84%), heritage-sensitive design for the Gold Rush era, and culturally integrated First Nations architecture across Indigenous communities in Yukon and NWT. Customer segments are dominated by First Nations governments, territorial and municipal governments, housing corporations, and select non-profits. Notable credentials include the Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture (2006), Canadian Architect Award of Excellence (2012), BC Lieutenant-Governor's Medal (2002), and Canadian National Energy Efficiency Award (1999). The firm's go-to-market is project-based enterprise field sales with clients secured through competitive procurement, design competitions, and direct commissions, with no published pricing and no digital/AI capabilities disclosed.
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kobayashi + Zedda Architects
- Legal name
- Kobayashi + Zedda Architects Ltd.
- Website
- https://kza.yk.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Kobayashi + Zedda Architects is a Whitehorse-based architecture and planning firm founded in 1993, the largest in Canada's North, serving First Nations governments, territorial and municipal governments, and housing corporations across Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia with integrated design-build services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (541310), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO), Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE)
Keywords
Where Kobayashi + Zedda Architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Whitehorse
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: Full architectural design services for institutional, commercial, residential, and community projects across northern Canada
- Planning and Visioning Services: Long-range planning, master planning, and visioning services for First Nations and community developments
- Design-Build Services: Integrated design-build services through partner firm 360 Design Build, including development, construction, and property management
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Full-service architecture and planning firm based in Whitehorse, Yukon, offering architectural design, urban planning, master planning, and integrated design-build services for institutional, government, First Nations, and private clients across northern Canada and Alaska. The firm specializes in cold-climate, sustainable, and culturally appropriate building design and operates a related design-build contracting arm.
Product overview
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects is a Whitehorse-based architecture and planning firm offering comprehensive architectural services across Canada's North. The firm's primary offering is architecture and planning services, supplemented by a multi-disciplinary partnership with 360 Design Build for integrated design-build delivery. The portfolio includes specialized services in First Nations architecture (cultural centres, heritage facilities), sustainable/energy-efficient design (C2000, Passive House), and northern/remote construction. Key project types span residential, commercial, educational, institutional, recreational, and infrastructure buildings. The firm has completed over 800 design projects since 1993, ranging from private renovations to $60 million correctional facilities. A unique offering is Baked Cafe, a community cafe owned by the principals that serves as a testing ground for design ideas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architecture and Planning Services
- Design-Build Services
- First Nations Cultural Architecture
- Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Architecture
- Northern and Remote Construction Architecture
- Master Planning and Visioning
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 800 design projects completed since inception
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Kobayashi + Zedda Architects
Customer profileNamed customers42 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered project-specific and core.
- DGBK Architect/Northern Frontproject-specificFor Centre Scolaire Secondaire Communautaire Paul-Emile Mercier design-build project, KZA prepared indicative design drawings and project statement of requirements. DGBK Architect/Northern Front was the design/builder's architect.
- Dustin Sheldonproject-specificFirst Nation artist Dustin Sheldon collaborated with KZA on the Ta'an Kwach'an Administrative and Cultural Centre project, creating projected art patterns etched on wooden slats wrapping the building.
- DGBK ArchitectscoreKZA served as design partner under Prime Consultant DGBK Architects of Vancouver on the $70 million Whitehorse Correctional Centre project. KZA has worked with DGBK on multiple projects including the Transitional Women's Living Unit, Centre Scolaire Secondaire Communautaire Paul-Emile Mercier, and Watson Lake Hospital.
- DGBK Architectsproject-specificKZA and DGBK Architects collaborated on the Carcross Commons project in association.
- 360 Design BuildcoreKZA's construction arm 360 Design Build constructed the Old Crow Research Facility. All materials were flown in since the community has no road access. The building features a 55 panel 12.1 KW grid-tied photovoltaic array.
- Stantec Architectureproject-specificKZA shared design responsibilities with Prime Consultant Stantec Architecture of Vancouver for the new Dawson City Hospital which commenced construction in 2010.
- Barr/Ryder Architects and Planners (now BR2)project-specificKZA shared design responsibilities with Edmonton-based prime consultant Barr/Ryder Architects and Planners (now BR2) for the $32 million Canada Games Centre project.
- 360 Design BuildcoreKZA's partner firm 360 Design Build is one of the Yukon's most active private, residential developers, having constructed over $20 million worth of multi-use commercial/residential projects in downtown Whitehorse since 2002. Together, the two firms form a multi-disciplinary team including urban planners, architects, general contractors and carpenters. 360 DB handles construction and development while KZA provides architectural design.
- Fast + Eppproject-specificVancouver structural engineer Fast + Epp designed the Tree of Learning, the focal point of the Mayo School project.
- RDHA (formerly Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects)project-specificKZA teamed up with RDHA of Toronto to design the 12,000 sq metre City of Whitehorse Operations Building to ensure design is tailored to local environment for high energy efficiency and low maintenance requirements.
- DGBK Architectsproject-specificKZA in association with DGBK Architects of Vancouver was asked to adapt an empty steel-framed building shell into the Watson Lake Hospital.
- Flechas Architectureproject-specificKZA served as Owner's Advisor for Valleyview Town Hall Passive House project. Flechas Architecture provided Design Development, construction drawings and contract administration services as consultant for Scott Builders Inc.
- Charles A McLaren Architectproject-specificFor Yukon Worker's Compensation Board Addition design-build project, KZA prepared indicative design drawings and project statement of requirements. Charles A McLaren Architect was the design/builder's architect.
- Northern Front Studioproject-specificFor Whistle Bend Elementary School project, KZA provided indicative design drawings to 30% Contract Documents phase. Northern Front Studio was the Design Builder's Architect.
- Kelly Edzerza-Baptyproject-specificKZA's in-house First Nation intern architect Kelly Edzerza-Bapty collaborated on the design of the Yukon College reception desk with First Nations theme.
- Associated Engineeringproject-specificKZA was retained by Associated Engineering to design the Dawson City Water Treatment Plant building.
Scale indicators30 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Stantec Architecture: Global engineering, architecture, and consulting firm that has been a direct prime consultant partner with KZA on the $24M Dawson City Hospital project. Both firms serve institutional and northern Canadian clients, but Stantec operates at vastly larger scale across multiple disciplines.
- Revery Architecture (formerly Bing Thom Architects): Vancouver-based architecture firm recognized for cultural and civic architecture including Indigenous cultural centres and institutional buildings. Comparable design philosophy and award recognition profile to KZA, though at much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
- Diamond Schmitt Architects: Major Canadian architecture firm with deep institutional and civic portfolio (libraries, health, cultural facilities). Comparable typology expertise to KZA's institutional and educational work, though Diamond Schmitt operates nationally with significantly larger scale.
- NORR Architects: Major Canadian architecture and engineering firm with broad institutional portfolio including civic, healthcare, and educational buildings. Comparable in serving government and institutional clients across Canada, though NORR operates at much greater scale and broader geographic reach.
Direct peers
- Architecture49: Canadian architecture firm with notable northern and Indigenous community projects across Canada's North. Comparable to KZA in serving First Nations and remote community clients with culturally appropriate and cold-climate architecture.
- BR2 Architecture (formerly Barr/Ryder): Edmonton-based architecture and planning firm that partnered with KZA as prime consultant on the $32M Canada Games Centre. Comparable in sports/recreation and institutional public-sector design, with northern Canadian presence.
- DGBK Architects: Vancouver-based architecture firm that has been KZA's most frequent design partner, including on the $70M Whitehorse Correctional Centre, Watson Lake Hospital, and Carcross Commons. They share institutional/public-sector focus and similar building typology expertise, though DGBK is larger and operates from a southern base.
- RDHA (formerly Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects): Toronto-based architecture firm that partnered with KZA on the 12,000 m² City of Whitehorse Operations Building. Comparable in institutional/civic-sector focus and in delivering high-performance public buildings, though RDHA operates at much larger scale nationally.
- Fournier Gersovitz Moss Dagenais architectes: Montreal-based architecture firm known for institutional and cultural projects including museums, libraries, and community facilities. Comparable in cultural/heritage design sensitivity and institutional civic focus, though serving different regional markets.
Regional players
- Lemay Michaud Architecture Design: Quebec-based architecture firm with expertise in northern/remote community and Indigenous architecture. Comparable in cold-climate, remote community design with cultural sensitivity, though operating in eastern Canada rather than western/NWTTerritories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects social profiles
Digital presenceKobayashi + Zedda Architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Kobayashi + Zedda Architects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Kobayashi + Zedda Architects
What does Kobayashi + Zedda Architects do?
Full-service architecture and planning firm based in Whitehorse, Yukon, offering architectural design, urban planning, master planning, and integrated design-build services for institutional, government, First Nations, and private clients across northern Canada and Alaska. The firm specializes in cold-climate, sustainable, and culturally appropriate building design and operates a related design-build contracting arm.
Is Kobayashi + Zedda Architects a public or private company?
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kobayashi + Zedda Architects founded?
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Kobayashi + Zedda Architects based?
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects is headquartered in Whitehorse, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Kobayashi + Zedda Architects make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Architectural Design Services are the primary driver. The others are planning and Visioning Services and design-Build Services.
Who are Kobayashi + Zedda Architects's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Stantec Architecture, Revery Architecture (formerly Bing Thom Architects), Diamond Schmitt Architects and NORR Architects. Direct peers are Architecture49, BR2 Architecture (formerly Barr/Ryder), DGBK Architects, RDHA (formerly Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects) and Fournier Gersovitz Moss Dagenais architectes. Lemay Michaud Architecture Design is listed as a regional player.
Does Kobayashi + Zedda Architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kobayashi + Zedda Architects.
What industry is Kobayashi + Zedda Architects in?
Kobayashi + Zedda Architects's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAD, Urban Planning & Master Planning, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAO, Community Engagement & Participatory Planning. Its NAICS code is 541310 and its SIC code is 8711.