Emerging Firm CREATE Architecture Planning & Design is a mid-sized, award-winning architecture practice located in New York City with a growing leadership role, evidenced by the appointment of Shawn Laug as senior associate and chief technical director in 2026. This signals a strategic expansion in leadership and technical capabilities, presenting an opportunity to position complementary services such as project delivery optimization, BIM adoption, and scalable design processes.
Tech stack The firm employs a diverse design and technical toolkit including Revit, SketchUp, Illustrator, and other web and server technologies. This suggests readiness for advanced BIM collaboration, digital design workflows, and potential needs for BIM consulting, data interoperability, and custom plugin or workflow integration with clients who require integrated design-to-construction workflows.
Growth potential With annual revenue in the range of one to ten million and a team size under 50, CREATE sits in the sweet spot for growing, mid-market architecture projects. This presents opportunities for scalable service packages such as design-build support, hospitality and retail center projects, and phased development programs that align with mid-sized client portfolios.
National reach Described as nationally recognized, CREATE aspires to broad client impact across markets. Potential sales opportunities include national chain or multi-site developers seeking standardized design language, repeatable design systems, and centralized coordination across locations, as well as partnerships with larger firms for joint ventures on large-scale projects.
Strategic focus The firm emphasizes quality architecture that entertains and serves diverse client needs, suggesting a value proposition around experiential, human-centered design. This opens doors for services around branding-aligned interiors, experiential retail environments, and sustainable design strategies that enhance user experience and brand differentiation for clients in competitive markets.