NBBJ
NBBJ is a global architecture and design firm working across healthcare, science, corporate workplace, education, sports, civic and urban projects, combining applied research, experience design and a zero-carbon commitment from studios in twelve creative capitals worldwide.
Gallery
Case Studies (2)
View featured case studies from "NBBJ".
Key Facts
View key facts for "NBBJ".
Company Overview
About NBBJ
NBBJ is a global architecture, planning and design firm founded in 1943 and headquartered in Seattle. Over more than eighty years it has grown into a network of studios in twelve creative capitals, staffed by an unusually mixed group of architects, planners, interior designers, researchers, strategists and clinicians. That last detail matters: employing nurses alongside designers is a direct expression of how deeply the practice invests in understanding how buildings actually get used.
Design Philosophy
The firm describes itself as ideas-driven with an empathetic process, rooted in research, making and the belief that all voices should be heard. Three commitments organise the work: healthy living, engaged communities and environmental stewardship. Underlying all of them is a conviction that the built environment is a lever for change and is inextricably linked to health outcomes.
Market Sectors
- Healthcare - hospitals, ambulatory care, academic medical centres and clinical planning
- Science - research laboratories, life science buildings and translational facilities
- Corporate office - headquarters and workplace campuses for global technology and professional services clients
- Commercial development - mixed-use and speculative office guided by the firm's Creating Community approach
- Education - university academic, research and student life buildings
- Cultural and civic - courthouses, civic buildings and public institutions
- Sports - arenas, stadiums and training facilities
- Urban environments - district masterplans and city-scale frameworks
Services
Beyond core architecture, NBBJ offers a broad set of specialist services that can be engaged independently or as part of a full design commission.
- Design performance - simulation, energy and carbon analysis
- Interior design and lighting design
- Environmental graphic design and experience design
- Healthcare consulting and clinical operations planning
- Urban design and masterplanning
- Workplace strategy and change management
Research and Innovation
Applied research is a formal part of the practice rather than a side activity. Fast Company has named NBBJ one of the most innovative architecture firms five times, most recently in 2025 for a standards-based approach to design intended to give clients greater certainty over cost, schedule and scope. NBBJ is also the only architecture firm to appear on TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies.
Sustainability
The firm is a CarbonNeutral certified company under the Carbon Neutral Protocol, a signatory of the AIA 2030 Challenge and the Amazon Climate Pledge, and a participant in the 1.5°C COP26 Communiqué. Helping clients pursue a zero-carbon future is stated as a core purpose rather than an optional service line.
Recognition
NBBJ has received more than 1,000 awards from organisations including the American Institute of Architects, the Urban Land Institute, Fast Company and MIPIM - a record that spans healthcare, workplace and urban design categories.
Market Position
NBBJ competes at the top tier of global design practices, particularly in healthcare and corporate workplace, where its research-led method and clinical expertise are strong differentiators. For owners weighing design partners on complex, evidence-sensitive projects, the firm offers a rare combination of global reach, sector depth and measurable performance focus.
Global Studio Network
Studios across North America, Europe and Asia allow project teams to be assembled around expertise rather than geography, so a hospital planner in one city can support a project being delivered in another. This distributed model also gives the practice exposure to very different regulatory and construction cultures, which feeds back into how it approaches standardisation and modular thinking.
Who Works With NBBJ
Typical clients include health systems, universities, research institutes, global technology companies, developers and public agencies - organisations running long, high-value capital programmes where design decisions carry decades of operational consequence.
Location
Firm Size
Supported Lifecycle Phase
Supported Project Type
Related Articles
Discover the latest articles, insights, and trends related to “NBBJ” in architecture, engineering, and construction.
Recent Events
Watch webinars, case studies, and presentations featuring “NBBJ” and its impact on the AEC industry.
Similar Companies
Discover similar companies and professionals to "NBBJ".
Tools used by NBBJ
Rhino 3D
Rhino 3D is a professional 3D modeling software used by architects, designers, engineers, and digital fabrication specialists to create accurate freeform geometry and complex parametric designs. Powered by precise NURBS modeling and an extensive plugin ecosystem, Rhino supports everything from conceptual design and architectural modeling to product development and computational design. Whether you’re comparing Rhino 3D pricing, exploring its features, evaluating the free trial, or looking for the best Rhino 3D alternatives, this guide explains everything you need to know to determine whether Rhino 3D software is the right choice for your workflow.
Join
Software that facilitates decision-making for all stakeholders on a construction project, with real-time insight into cost data and a visual interface
Revit
Autodesk Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software platform used by architects, engineers, contractors, and AEC teams to design, document, coordinate, and deliver building projects. Unlike traditional CAD software, Revit connects 3D building elements with plans, sections, elevations, schedules, quantities, and project data in one coordinated model. Its key features include parametric modeling, multidisciplinary collaboration, construction documentation, worksharing, visualization, and model-based scheduling. Explore Revit pricing, free trial options, major features, use cases, pros and cons, system compatibility, and the best Revit alternatives to determine whether it is the right BIM software for your workflow.
AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a leading computer-aided design software used by architects, engineers, contractors, and designers for precise 2D drafting, 3D modeling, documentation, and technical drawings. This AutoCAD review covers its key features, common AEC use cases, pricing, subscription options, and free trial availability. You can also explore how AutoCAD is used across architecture, engineering, and construction, compare its strengths and limitations, and discover the best AutoCAD alternatives for different workflows, budgets, and project requirements.
Enscape
Enscape is a real-time rendering and visualization plugin that helps architects and designers create photorealistic images, animations, and immersive experiences directly from their CAD and BIM software. Compatible with applications like SketchUp, Revit, Rhino, and Archicad, Enscape streamlines design reviews with instant rendering and virtual reality support. Whether you’re comparing Enscape pricing, exploring its features, testing the free trial, or evaluating the best Enscape alternatives, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper 3D is the visual programming environment included with Rhino for computational and parametric design. Architects, engineers, façade specialists, and fabricators connect components on a canvas to generate geometry, process data, and test design variables without building every option manually. It works directly with Rhino’s modeling environment and can extend into BIM, analysis, optimization, and fabrication workflows through official integrations, scripting, and plugins.