What JA Projects does

JA Projects is a multidisciplinary architecture and design studio founded by Jayden Ali, operating at the intersection of architecture, urban strategy, art, and performance. The studio is headquartered in London with a North American office in New York, delivering work across the UK, Europe, and North America. Core services span architecture and urban design (masterplanning, public realm, housing), exhibition design (museums and galleries), and art installations, with a distinctive methodology centered on community co-design and culturally inclusive spatial practice.

The studio operates as a small, founder-led practice (1-10 employees) that scales project delivery through an extensive collaborative network of specialist architects, engineers, lighting designers, graphic designers, and community organizations. Notable technical and creative work includes the V&A East Museum's permanent 'Why We Make' galleries, the Venice Biennale 2023 British Pavilion 'Dancing Before the Moon', Piccadilly Circus redesign, Fashioning Masculinities at the V&A, and Nike: Form Follows Motion at Vitra Design Museum. The practice has won major recognitions including Venice Biennale Special Mention, Guardian Best Designs 2023, and Dezeen Awards shortlist.

Revenue is generated through professional services fees on project commissions, sourced through public procurement, design competitions, and direct appointments from cultural institutions (V&A, Royal Academy, Cooper Hewitt, Vitra Design Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Wellcome Collection, British Council) and UK public sector bodies (Greater London Authority, London Boroughs of Newham, Southwark, Haringey, Hillingdon). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; project budgets visible in public sources range from £1.1M to £5.3M. The studio is privately held with no external investment or parent company.

Name

JA Projects

Legal name

JA Projects

Website

https://ja-projects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

JA Projects is a London and New York-based architecture and design studio serving cultural institutions, public sector bodies, and corporate clients through exhibition design, urban strategy, public realm projects, and architectural commissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (23622), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362), Residential Building Construction (23611)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Digital Design Services (BPAHAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Exhibition design
• Urban strategy consulting
• Cultural institution design
• Public realm design

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: The studio generates revenue through commissions for architectural design, exhibition design, urban strategy, and public realm projects. Services are delivered to government clients (local authorities, GLA), cultural institutions (museums, galleries), and private sector clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

JA Projects is an architecture and design studio operating across architecture, urban strategy, art, and performance. The studio designs buildings, galleries, exhibitions, public-realm interventions, and cultural spaces for museums, local authorities, and commercial brands. Its work spans permanent institutional commissions, exhibition design, and brand-led spatial experiences.

Product overview

JA Projects is a London and New York-based architecture and design studio operating as a single unified practice rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The studio's core offering spans architecture and urban design, exhibition design, and art installations. Key named projects include V&A East Museum's permanent 'Why We Make' galleries, the Elephant Skyline urban lighting concept, Matter and Shape 2026 pavilion in Paris, Fashioning Masculinities at the V&A, Thunder and Şimşek installation at Venice Biennale, Queen's Market public realm upgrades, and housing regeneration at Tustin Estate. The studio also runs the High Street Classroom learning programme. Projects range from cultural institutions and public realm interventions to residential housing, with a focus on community engagement and co-design methodologies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architectural Design Services Design of permanent buildings and architectural works for cultural institutions, public bodies, and commercial clients.
• Exhibition Design Services Design of temporary and permanent exhibitions for museums, galleries, and cultural events, translating curatorial narratives into spatial experiences.
• Urban Strategy Services Strategic urban-design and public-realm consultancy for regeneration, placemaking, and community-focused spatial interventions.
• V&A East Museum 'Why We Make' Galleries Gallery design commission for the V&A East Museum's 'Why We Make' galleries.
• V&A East Museum Permanent Galleries Commission Commission for the permanent galleries at the V&A East Museum.
• Fashion Museum Bath Design commission for the Fashion Museum Bath.
• Matter and Shape 2026 Exhibition design for the Matter and Shape 2026 fair/event.
• Elephant Skyline Public-realm and urban-strategy project in the Elephant and Castle area.
• Ontario's Sunday Best Exhibition Exhibition design for Ontario's Sunday Best show.
• Nike 'Form Follows Motion' Brand collaboration with Nike on the 'Form Follows Motion' spatial/experiential project.

Quantifiable outcome

• Venice Biennale 2023 Special Mention for British Pavilion
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Allies and MorrisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading architectural and design practice leading the Uxbridge town centre masterplan. JA Projects serves as architects working on short-term interventions within the larger masterplan team.
• Avison YoungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic and delivery advisors on the Uxbridge town centre masterplan project.
• Urban FlowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport and movement specialists on the Uxbridge town centre masterplan.
• Brunel University LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading extensive community engagement to directly inform and shape the Uxbridge town centre masterplan.
• Westminster City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioning authority for Piccadilly Circus redesign as part of Future of London's West End transformation.
• The Crown EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint commissioner with Westminster City Council for Piccadilly Circus and West End transformation.
• A Practice for Everyday LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic design studio collaborating with JA Projects on V&A East Museum permanent galleries since Summer 2022.
• Larry AchiampongcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist collaborating on V&A East Museum 'Why We Make' galleries. Long-term collaborator who grew up with Jayden Ali in Bethnal Green.
• Architecture00coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice partnering with JA Projects on the High Street Classroom and GLA High Street Network initiatives.
• Kelly DrakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in High Street Classroom learning programme working to improve London's high streets and town centres.
• 6acoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural practice leading the building renovation of the Grade II-listed Old Post Office for Fashion Museum Bath. JA Projects working alongside 6a on interior design.
• Glenn AdamsoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurator of Nike: Form Follows Motion exhibition at Vitra Design Museum. JA Projects served as exhibition designers.
• dRMMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading architecture practice that won Southwark Council design competition for Tustin Estate redevelopment. JA Projects working within the team.
• Bureau Bas SmetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational architecture and landscape practice on Amsterdam National Slavery Museum competition shortlist with JA Projects.
• Timoteus Anggawan KusnocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the international team shortisted for Amsterdam's National Slavery Museum competition.
• Dr Mpho Matsipa-OkoyecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the international team shortisted for Amsterdam's National Slavery Museum competition.
• Dr Yanique HumecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the international team shortisted for Amsterdam's National Slavery Museum competition.
• Chris Dorley BrownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer collaborating on Elephant Skyline lighting concept design for Elephant and Castle.
• AKTIIcoreTechnology or IntegrationStructural and environmental engineering practice collaborating on Thunder and Şimşek installation and other projects. Developed non-intrusive frame for 800kg sculpture at Venice Biennale.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioner of British Pavilion at Venice Biennale. JA Projects' Jayden Ali co-curated the 2023 exhibition 'Dancing Before the Moon'.
• Andreas Lechthaler ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice on Queen's Square public realm team.
• onRedchurch CICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity interest company that commissioned JA Projects for Redchurch Street Place Making Vision supported by GLA and London Leap's High Streets for All Challenge.
• FreehauscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice leading Rising Green Youth Hub design. JA Projects and Freehaus jointly led co-design exercises with Wood Green Young Voices.
• Studio ZNAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting design studio enriching Fashioning Masculinities exhibition with considered lighting design that highlights garments and artworks.
• Studio Hugo BlanzatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic design studio developing bespoke typeface for Fashioning Masculinities that evolves with visitor journey through the exhibition.
• Wellcome CollectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioning institution for 'Genetic Automota' exhibition by Larry Achiampong and David Blandy. JA Projects designed the exhibition space.
• A Practice for Everyday LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraphic design studio collaborating on V&A East Museum Why We Make galleries with dynamic, illuminated signage.
• Studio ZNAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting design for V&A East Museum developing dynamic, illuminated signage across the museum.
• Andu MasebominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner producing bespoke double-sided bench enriched with stories from the Carpenters Estate for V&A East Museum thresholds.
• V&A East Youth CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth group shaping the design of V&A East Museum through collaborative co-creation process.
• Southwark CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey public sector client for Elephant Skyline project and other initiatives in Southwark borough.
• BIGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBjarke Ingels Group collaborated with JA Projects on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront competition entry.
• Haworth TompkinscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice led International Slavery Museum and Merseyside Maritime Museum renovation project with JA Projects.
• Peter AdjayeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront competition team.
• Harrison StringfellowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront and International Slavery Museum projects.
• CounterspaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture practice on International Slavery Museum renovation team.
• Citizens Design BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign consultancy on International Slavery Museum project.
• CAVA InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organization on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront project.
• Poor CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront project.
• FuturecityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic consultancy on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront project.
• Capoeira for AllminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront Sankofa Docks installation.
• Scouse Flower HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization on National Museums Liverpool Waterfront Sankofa Docks installation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Haworth Tompkins: UK architecture practice with a deep cultural-institution portfolio (theatres, museums, galleries). Currently partnered with JA Projects on the International Slavery Museum and Merseyside Maritime Museum renovation, with overlapping client and project types in the heritage cultural sector.
• 6a architects: London-based design studio with a strong cultural and public-sector portfolio. JA Projects is actively working alongside 6a on the Fashion Museum Bath renovation, evidencing direct overlap in museum commission delivery for Grade II-listed heritage assets.
• Carmody Groarke: London-based architecture practice of comparable size specializing in museum, exhibition, and cultural-sector architecture. Both firms operate at the intersection of architecture, exhibition design, and curatorial narrative for major institutions, with overlapping client rosters in UK museum work.
• Assemble: London-based multidisciplinary design collective working across architecture, art, and community engagement. Closely comparable in ethos to JA Projects, with a similar 'design beyond architecture' approach and Turner Prize-winning community-led portfolio.
• Studio Egret West: London-based architecture and urban design practice with comparable profile in cultural, public realm, and masterplanning work. Operates in similar urban regeneration and cultural-sector commissions as JA Projects.
• dRMM: London-based architecture practice with comparable cultural and public-realm focus. JA Projects is working within the dRMM-led Tustin Estate regeneration team, reflecting overlapping housing and community-led design methodologies.
• vPPR Architects: London-based small architecture studio with a strong exhibition, cultural, and residential portfolio. Comparable size and specialism in exhibition and gallery design for major UK cultural institutions.

Broad incumbents

• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Global architecture firm with significant cultural and museum portfolio. JA Projects collaborated with BIG on the National Museums Liverpool Waterfront competition entry, evidencing direct overlap in scaled institutional design competition.
• Caruso St John: Established London and Zurich architecture practice with a significant museum and cultural-institution portfolio. Competitor for major cultural commissions and a known prior employer of JA Projects architect Alice Shepherd.
• Adjaye Associates: Internationally established practice with a global cultural and museum portfolio. Represents a scaled incumbent competing for the same marquee cultural commissions (slavery/diaspora museums, Smithsonian-scale work) where JA Projects is positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ja-projects
• Instagraminstagram.com/ja__projects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 JA Projects