What’s new at the nation’s largest architecture firms

Of the 200+ architecture and architecture/engineering firms that participated in BD+C’s 2025 Giants 400 survey, 188 firms provided details on their top innovations, technology enhancements, and market moves from the past 12 months. Here’s a roundup of some of the most compelling updates from the 2025 Architecture Giants (in alpha order):

Among AC Martin’s equity-centered design initiatives is implementing student-driven design on all education projects. “We include underserved and underrepresented students in the programming and design process to get input and results that will make spaces more inviting, leading to student success,” stated the firm. A recent example is the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center at California State University, Northridge. Its design was informed by student feedback, especially concerning Hispanic students pursing STEM degrees.  

AO developed Archetype, a kit-of-parts-based design system aimed at reducing the time, complexity, and cost of developing multifamily buildings. “By leveraging standardized yet flexible components, the system ensures more predictable budgets, smoother permitting and entitlement processes, and greater consistency across developments, all while maintaining the design excellence and site-specific customization,” according to the firm.

In March 2025, Arcadis launched The Design Perspective, the firm’s first-ever global design forecast. It integrates insights from architecture, engineering, urban planning, sustainability science, and digital innovation. Themes include carbon neutrality, leveraging AI, regenerative design, and resilient urbanism.

Anderson Mikos Architects developed its Kaizen Design Process that works with Lean attributes and allows clients to see daily design and cost models to assist in their decision processes.

Ankrom Moisan launched two key internal programs: Principles of Design Framework, a firmwide initiative that aligns its teams around a shared definition of design excellence, and Design Advocate Group (DAG), a cross-disciplinary team of architects and designers tasked with leading peer-to-peer reviews, facilitating cross-studio workshops, and fostering ongoing discussions that embed the Principles of Design into everyday work.

Array Architects has advanced the implementation of multi-trade prefabrication (MTP) on large-scale healthcare projects by integrating MTP into its planning and documentation processes from the outset of design. “We’ve found that typical healthcare spaces—such as exam rooms, toilet rooms, and increasingly, patient rooms and clinical support spaces—are particularly well-suited for MTP,” said the firm.

Bailey Edward Design became the fourth Chicago-based firm—and the second woman-owned firm in the city—to earn a JUST 2.0 Label, in 2024. “Though we are a small business, we are the largest firm in Chicago and only one of five architecture firms in the nation to receive this recognition,” said the firm.

Baker Barrios Architects, through its Maker’s Space group, is leveraging its ability to rapidly produce high-fidelity physical models to pursue and win more work for the firm. “This proactive use of modeling during pursuits has dramatically elevated our storytelling capabilities, allowing prospective clients to see and touch their visions in the earliest stages. It’s no longer just about sharing renderings and narratives,” said the firm.

BASE4 is utilizing AI tools for design automation, project management, quality control, and client collaboration. For instance, AI tools help the firm automate and optimize layouts; scan drawings and models for errors or code compliance issues; and assess historical project data to forecast risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

CannonDesign acquired smart building technology firm The Clarient Group. “As owners and operators push for more seamless, responsive solutions, AI is poised to revolutionize what’s possible. The Clarient Group is at the forefront of leading these conversations, shaping solutions for some of the nation’s most iconic developments,” said the firm.

CB Design Group’s use of LIDAR scanning for review of existing conditions for renovation projects has led to reduced time for initial site visits, less frequent RFIs to the client, and a more accurate record to kick off the design process.

For 55 Broad Street, a commercial-to-residential conversion project in New York, CetraRuddy Architecture developed a low-profile façade vent that serves the new all-electric heat pump systems within the residential units. The vent is integrated into the sill of the high-performance operable replacement window.

Choate Parking Consultants partnered with a lighting manufacturer to fine tune a fixture that incorporates a red-light-green-light parking guidance system into the fixture.

Ci Design launched a dedicated pharmaceutical vertical within its Science & Technology practice focused on the specialized design of 503A compounding pharmacies as well as 503B outsourcing, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, CDMO, and CMO facilities.

Corgan developed the Corgan Mass Timber Carbon Calculator, which helps architects and designers estimate biogenic carbon emissions in mass timber projects. The calculator accounts for “overlooked” factors, like harvesting residue and tree species.

DLR Group developed a Web-based planning application for the New York School Construction Authority that leverages utility information and facility condition assessments to assign energy efficiency scores that identify necessary energy upgrades and prioritize renovations across NYSCA’s building portfolio. “This helps NYSCA analyze and compare various energy-related decisions, aiming to achieve a 57% reduction in carbon emissions across 1,100 buildings,” the firm stated.

HDR’s “pixel generator” is an AI-driven tool designed to facilitate the early stages of project development by converting wireframes into detailed concept images. It generates a wide range of stylized renderings by employing advanced diffusion technology in conjunction with HDR’s proprietary photo database, allowing users to quickly and easily explore different design options.  

HGA launched Iris, a secure, private, HGA-sanctioned AI chatbot with a large language model programmed with HGA’s writing style guide.

HKS expanded its brain-healthy workspaces initiative, implementing design strategies in the firm’s new Singapore office. The space was designed to support different work styles, blending interactive zones with quiet areas for focused tasks. “Early results are promising. We’ve seen higher satisfaction from employee reports, and a strong boost in productivity,” said the firm.

Kohn Pedersen Fox developed KAI (short for KPF AI), a secure, AI-powered chatbot with a host of in-depth features that will assist the firm with project research and benchmarking, operational efficiency, design inspiration, knowledge sharing, and training and onboarding, among other applications.

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting is developing a Positive Social Impact Tool to help design and construction teams assess how a project site can contribute positively to its surrounding community. The tool works by evaluating a site across several critical categories that influence community health and opportunity, including demographic identity, connectivity to community assets, ecological resiliency, wealth accumulation and housing stability, and development potential.

Method Architecture developed an AI-powered accounts payable automation system that captures vendor invoices from email, extracts key data, and inputs the data directly into the firm’s ERP system with integrated dashboard reporting, saving 10-20 hours of manual data entry monthly.

Last year, NBBJ partnered with The New York Academy of Sciences to poll 1,059 scientists from their global community to better understand what is most valuable to them in a research building. The survey results informed NBBJ’s lab design approach called The Future Lab. Key themes include labs designed for collaboration and wellbeing; healthy and sustainable research buildings that simplify scientists’ lives; and flexibility to effortlessly adapt to any research needs.

Studio X launched the FUTURES initiative, a speculative design lab exploring long-term cultural, technological, and environmental change. “This work gives designers space to think beyond the immediate, elevating our ability to anticipate what’s next and inspire future-ready solutions,” according to the firm.

Ratio Design developed CODEX (short for computational design exchange), an initiative that supports teams with custom solutions for complex design challenges. CODEX focuses on creating two main tool types: reusable workflow automations and one-off tools for generating complex geometries. “To date, CODEX automation tools have been used over 1,700 times, saving more than 370 hours,” said the firm.

RDG Planning & Design formalized a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) process that integrates data collection, user feedback, and performance metrics into the firm’s project lifecycle. “This approach allows us to assess how buildings are performing in relation to their original design intent, measuring factors such as space utilization, environmental quality and technology functionality,” stated the firm.

Shepley Bulfinch launched Lens, a dedicated design strategy, research, and innovation practice within the firm that guides clients through participatory visioning and planning, organizational development, regenerative design and development, design impact assessment, and change management.

SmithGroup’s Technology in Practice team developed WordSmith, a generative AI marketing assistant that can provide firm-specific answers to questions based on the firm’s standard marketing materials. “Instead of hunting through file folders or reaching out to ten colleagues to ask about the firm’s experience with something like engineering building projects on higher education campuses, you simply enter the appropriate prompt into WordSmith and it quickly generates all of the resources you need to successfully move forward with responding to the proposal,” explained the firm.

In 2024, Stantec’s Buildings Innovation team rolled out Graphite, a custom app to help standardize content on projects across studios. It’s both a desktop app and Revit Add-in to simplify content management and streamline workflows.

Taylor Design introduced Cove, a dedicated healthcare strategy and innovation consulting studio. In 2024, Cove partnered with healthcare organizations on a variety of projects, including planning for future healthcare workspaces, re-designing ambulance billing, and re-imaging acute care delivery at home.

V Squared Workshop opened a land acquisition advisory service that aims to assist its clients with large campus site identification and feasibility analysis. “As architects, we are well positioned to vet sites against practical tenant requirements from a very early stage, supplying our clients with actionable insights on properties during due diligence,” stated the firm.

VLK expanded its educational planning team, forming VLK | EDGE. This group includes public educators, school programming experts, and public education advocates who bring deep insights into design solutions for public school district clients. The team also conducts and publishes original research and presents at national conferences.

Ware Malcomb developed PlanSpot, a secure asset portal that allows the storing, viewing, and sharing of files on any Web-enabled device. Clients and teams can quickly open Adobe, AutoCAD, and Revit files without the source programs.

Last fall, ZGF and Swinerton published a study on the current barriers to adopting mass timber in acute care settings. The report, Mass Timber Hospital: The Future of Healthcare, explores the material cost, construction process, and schedule impacts of mass timber for healthcare settings. To test feasibility and address critical questions and technical solutions, the team developed a proof-of-concept hospital that doubles as a kit-of-parts for healthcare institutions seeking a roadmap to mass timber adoption. Detailed within the report are approaches to code, infection control, vibration, and MEP integration.