Kobayashi + Zedda Architects

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.

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

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

• Architectural design services
• Sustainable building design
• Cold climate construction
• First nations architecture
• Institutional planning services

Headquarters

HQ city

Whitehorse

HQ country

Canada

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full architectural design services for institutional, commercial, residential, and community projects across northern Canada
2. Planning and Visioning Services: Long-range planning, master planning, and visioning services for First Nations and community developments
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers42 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered project-specific and core.

• DGBK Architect/Northern Frontproject-specificImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2020For 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-specificStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019First 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 ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012KZA 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-specificStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012KZA and DGBK Architects collaborated on the Carcross Commons project in association.
• 360 Design BuildcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2010KZA'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-specificStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010KZA 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-specificStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005KZA 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 BuildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002KZA'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-specificTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2000Vancouver structural engineer Fast + Epp designed the Tree of Learning, the focal point of the Mayo School project.
• RDHA (formerly Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects)project-specificStrategic or Co-development PartnerKZA 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-specificStrategic or Co-development PartnerKZA in association with DGBK Architects of Vancouver was asked to adapt an empty steel-framed building shell into the Watson Lake Hospital.
• Flechas Architectureproject-specificImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKZA 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-specificImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFor 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-specificImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFor 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-specificStrategic or Co-development PartnerKZA'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-specificTechnology or IntegrationKZA was retained by Associated Engineering to design the Dawson City Water Treatment Plant building.

Scale indicators30 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kobayashi-zedda-architects

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 Kobayashi + Zedda Architects