What JSA/MIXdesign does

JSA/MIXdesign is a human-centered, full-service architectural design studio headquartered in New York City at 89 5th Avenue, Suite 301, operating as a distinct branch of JSA (Joel Sanders Architect) with the MIXdesign inclusive design think tank launched in 2016. The firm is organized around three specialized Design Labs — Gender (led by Principal Joel Sanders), Autism & Neurodiversity (led by Partner Magda Mostafa), and Sensory (led by Partner Hansel Bauman) — each anchored by a globally recognized domain expert and supported by research-backed proprietary frameworks including the Autism ASPECTSS Design Index, DeafSpace Design Guidelines, Multisensory Wayfinding, and the MIXmuseum Toolkit. The studio serves institutional clients across universities (Princeton, Yale, NYU, Gallaudet, UPenn, Portland Community College), museums and galleries (Whitney, Cooper Hewitt, Queens Museum, Nationalmuseum Stockholm), government (NYC Department of Transportation), and nonprofit healthcare (Men's Health Foundation), delivering architectural services spanning feasibility studies, design development, construction administration, and accessibility consulting.

The firm's core technology is its intersectional inclusive design methodology, which moves beyond ADA code compliance to address overlapping needs across disability (physical and sensory), neurodiversity (autistic, ADHD, sensory processing), gender (parents, caregivers, pregnant, trans/nonbinary), religion, age, and culture. Codified outputs include the Stalled! all-user restroom/locker room prototype, the five-step Participatory Design Process, and the MIXmuseum Toolkit developed with IMLS and NEA support. Two flagship research initiatives anchor the practice: Stalled! (launched 2016) addressing restroom equity and MIXmuseum (launched 2018) addressing inclusive museum environments, both with international reach and adoption.

Revenue is generated exclusively through professional services fees for architectural design and consulting engagements, priced per project with no public rate card. The go-to-market motion is direct institutional engagement combined with thought leadership — books, exhibitions (Venice Biennale, Cooper Hewitt, MoMA), peer-reviewed publications, conference lectures, and academic appointments (Yale School of Architecture, Yale School of Public Health) — which generates referrals and project leads. The firm is licensed to practice architecture in NY, NJ, CT, and PA, is certified by the NGLCC as an LGBT Business Enterprise, and operates without disclosed external institutional investment or parent company.

Name

JSA/MIXdesign

Legal name

JSA/MIXdesign

Website

https://jsamixdesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JSA/MIXdesign is a New York-based human-centered architectural design studio that develops inclusive environments beyond ADA compliance for institutional clients including universities, museums, and government agencies. It operates three expert-led Design Labs (Gender, Autism/Neurodiversity, Sensory) under Principal Joel Sanders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Design Services

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Interior Design Services (54141)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Architecture, Construction & Building Codes Reference (Design, BIM, Safety Codes) (EDAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Inclusive design consulting
• Accessibility design advisory
• Human-centered architecture
• Universal design frameworks

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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

Revenue model

1. Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural design studio providing design recommendations, prototypes, and guidelines for institutional clients. Services span feasibility studies, pre-design and programming, schematics through construction administration, and accessibility guidelines. Revenue is generated through professional architecture and consulting fees for institutional design and renovation projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

JSA/MIXdesign is a human-centered, full-service architectural design studio that develops design recommendations, prototypes, and guidelines aimed at making public spaces and everyday building types—including restrooms, art museums, and university campuses—foster safety, well-being, and belonging for all users. The firm operates as Architect of Record or access consultant on institutional projects spanning feasibility studies, pre-design and programming, schematics through construction administration, and accessibility guidelines, working primarily with universities, museums, and public institutions.

Product overview

JSA/MIXdesign is a human-centered, full-service architectural design studio organized around three specialized Design Labs (Gender Design Lab, Autism + Neuroinclusive Design Lab, and Sensory Design Lab) that address accessibility beyond code compliance. The firm operates two major research initiatives: Stalled! (launched 2016) focused on inclusive restroom and locker room design, and MIXmuseum (launched 2018) focused on accessible museum environments. Both initiatives have produced design frameworks and guidelines including the Autism ASPECTSS Design Index and DeafSpace Design Guidelines, which the firm applies across institutional projects including restrooms, art museums, and university campuses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stalled!: Initiative launched in 2016 developing restroom and locker room projects, prototypes, guidelines, and advocacy that improve the health and well-being of people whose needs are not accommodated in traditional facilities
• MIXmuseum
• MIXmuseum Toolkit

Products and services

• Stalled! An initiative developing restroom and locker room projects, prototypes, guidelines, and advocacy that improve health and well-being for people whose needs are not accommodated in traditional facilities, addressing gender identity, disability, age, religion, culture, and neurodiversity. Engaged by institutional clients for inclusive facility design and code advocacy.
• MIXmuseum Initiative An initiative addressing spatial strategies that support belonging beyond conventional accessibility guidelines in museum environments, developed with support from IMLS and NEA, producing the MIXmuseum Toolkit and providing accessibility assessments, guidelines, and built projects for galleries and public spaces.
• MIXmuseum Toolkit A set of generalizable design recommendations published as a deliverable for transforming museum environments into inclusive, socially responsive spaces, developed with support from IMLS and NEA and adaptable across institutions of different sizes and types.
• DeafSpace Design Guidelines A catalogue of over 100 architectural principles attuned to deaf spatial sensibilities, developed through the Gallaudet DeafSpace Project and applied to schools, universities, and civic projects for sensory-inclusive design for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
• Autism ASPECTSS Design Index The first research-based design framework for autism worldwide, applied to balance sensory input and provide structure, predictability, and calm for neurodivergent individuals in schools, museums, healthcare facilities, and workplaces.
• Full-Service Architectural Design Services Full-service architectural design serving as Architect of Record or access consultant on institutional projects spanning feasibility studies, pre-design and programming, schematics through construction administration, and accessibility guidelines for universities, museums, government, and cultural institutions.
• Accessibility Consulting and Access Assessments Access evaluation, feasibility studies, and accessibility guidelines developed for institutional clients to inform inclusive design strategies and reduce risk by ensuring accessibility beyond minimum code compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Stalled! website received over 100,000 visits, with hundreds of lectures and publications generated since 2016 launch
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Architectural League of New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025JSA/MIXdesign and the Architectural League of New York co-established the Paul Gunther Prize for Inclusive Public Space, an annual $20,000 grant over ten years to support individuals or teams committed to inclusive public space in New York City. The partnership also includes co-publishing the 'Making Inclusive Museums Now' report and co-presenting the 'Making the Inclusive Museum' symposium in January 2024, combining JSA/MIXdesign's inclusive design expertise with the League's institutional platform.
• Queens Community HousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2020JSA/MIXdesign partnered with Queens Community House on the IMLS-supported multi-year community-led reimagining of Queens Museum's central atrium. This project expands upon the MIXmuseum pilot study and benefits underrepresented museumgoers through participatory inclusive design processes.
• Woofter Bolch ArchitecturecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJSA/MIXdesign collaborated with Woofter Bolch Architecture as architect of record on the Portland Community College Health Technology Building renovation at the Sylvania Campus, which opened May 5, 2026. The project featured pioneering all-user locker rooms and improved accessibility — a pioneering model for inclusive health and wellness environments.
• Yale School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver the past 10+ years, JSA/MIXdesign has collaborated with faculty and students from Yale School of Public Health to make evidence-based inclusive design recommendations that consider social justice, belonging, health, and well-being as mutually reinforcing goals. This collaboration has informed the development of engagement tools (surveys, interviews, workshops) and research underpinning the firm's accessibility frameworks.
• Gallaudet UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSA/MIXdesign (led by Partner Hansel Bauman) developed the DeafSpace Design Guidelines with Gallaudet University — the only liberal arts university fully dedicated to serving deaf and hard of hearing students. The partnership has produced inclusive changing rooms at the Field House and inclusive restrooms at the I. King Jordan Student Academic Center (J-SAC). DeafSpace is a registered servicemark of Gallaudet University.
• Queens MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueens Museum is a core museum partner in the MIXmuseum initiative, collaborating on the 'Central Atrium for All' project and the 'Year of Uncertainty' (YoU) framework. The museum serves as a co-thinker in strengthening connection between the museum and its surrounding communities through inclusive design interventions.
• Whitney Museum of American ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhitney Museum is a key MIXmuseum partner, working with JSA/MIXdesign on Accessibility Assets Guidelines to improve the spatial dimensions of access for diverse visitors across physical, sensory, and social dimensions.
• Brooklyn MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklyn Museum is a MIXmuseum partner collaborating on the five-year MIXmuseum Study to understand common and conflicting inclusive design challenges across institutions of different sizes and types.
• Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooper Hewitt collaborated with JSA/MIXdesign on the 'Designing Peace' exhibition (2022–2023) featuring the Stalled! Wellness Hub installation, reimagining the museum's ground floor restrooms. The museum is also a MIXmuseum Study partner with support from IMLS and NEA.
• Nationalmuseum StockholmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationalmuseum Stockholm is an international MIXmuseum partner collaborating on the development of the MIXmuseum Toolkit and inclusive design strategies. JSA/MIXdesign also provided exhibition design services for the museum's permanent collection display components.
• Yale University Art GallerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYale University Art Gallery is a MIXmuseum Study partner contributing to the five-year research initiative to understand inclusive design challenges across diverse museum types and sizes.
• San Diego Museum of ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego Museum of Art is a MIXmuseum Study partner collaborating on research to understand inclusive design challenges and develop adaptable strategies across institutions.
• Center for Curatorial LeadershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for Curatorial Leadership collaborates with JSA/MIXdesign on inclusive museum initiatives, ensuring that the firm's work is informed by diverse perspectives and institutional contexts in the museum field.
• DisOrdary Architecture ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisOrdinary Architecture Project works with JSA/MIXdesign as an advocacy and leadership organization informing the MIXmuseum initiative, bringing disability justice perspectives to inclusive museum design.
• BKP ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJSA/MIXdesign worked with BKP Architects (as Architect of Record) on the inclusive restrooms project at Gallaudet University's Jordan Student Academic Center, featured in ARCHITECT Magazine.
• National Center for Transgender EqualitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSA/MIXdesign partnered with the National Center for Transgender Equality as part of code advocacy initiatives to amend the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) to make all-user restrooms code-compliant nationwide.
• AIANY LGBTQIA+ AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSA/MIXdesign collaborated with AIANY's LGBTQIA+ Alliance to amend New York State building code to support gender-inclusive restroom standards, advancing code compliance for all-user facilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WXY Architecture + Urban Design: New York-based practice with strong community-engagement and participatory planning orientation, working on civic, cultural, and institutional projects. Closely comparable in participatory design methodology and emphasis on inclusive public space.
• MASS Design Group: Boutique research-driven architecture practice focused on social impact, equity, and inclusive design across institutional projects. Directly comparable in mission orientation, integration of research and design execution, and reliance on thought leadership and grants.
• Adjaye Associates: Internationally recognized architecture studio with cultural, institutional, and museum commissions and an explicit emphasis on social purpose. Comparable in cultural-sector focus, global footprint, and brand-led business development.
• Studio Gang: Research-driven architecture studio with a strong cultural and institutional portfolio and emphasis on ecology, community, and material innovation. Comparable in scale, research-led methodology, and award profile (AIA, MacArthur, etc.).
• Selldorf Architects: New York boutique architecture firm specializing in cultural and institutional projects (museums, galleries, universities). Highly comparable in client base, project typologies (museum renovations, university projects), and award reputation.
• Ennead Architects: New York-based institutional architecture firm with deep university and museum portfolios (Stanford, Yale, Princeton, multiple Smithsonian museums). Directly comparable in client mix (Ivy League universities, major museums) and project type, though at larger scale.
• Ten Berke (formerly Deborah Berke Partners): Boutique New York architecture firm with cultural, educational, and institutional focus; known for award-winning museum and university projects. Comparable in scale, client overlap (universities, museums), and design reputation.

Broad incumbents

• SmithGroup: Large integrated design firm with strong higher education, museum, and workplace practices and explicit universal design expertise. Comparable in institutional client base and accessibility capabilities, with broader geographic reach and bench depth.
• Perkins&Will: Large global architecture firm with established accessibility and universal design practices serving healthcare, education, and cultural clients. Comparable in serving institutional clients with accessibility requirements, though as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Gensler: Largest U.S. architecture and design firm with extensive higher education, cultural, and workplace practices. Competes for the same institutional commissions at scale; representative of the broad-incumbent alternative to boutique inclusive-design studios.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/JoelSandersArch
• Facebookfacebook.com/jsamixdesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jsamixdesign
• Instagraminstagram.com/jsamixdesign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 JSA/MIXdesign