Welcome to 3North. We’re a full-service design firm based in Richmond, Virginia with an office in San Francisco. We bring inspired solutions to our clients’ most complex challenges; from art galleries and schools, to boutique hotels and cultural spaces, to private homes and vacation residences. And we’re mindful, always, of the power of design to impact communities.
Our 30-member team includes architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and graphic designers. Guided by a clear collaborative process that resonates with a diverse range of clients, we’re equally at home spearheading historic restorations as we are pushing the boundaries of contemporary design. We listen, we lead, and we advocate for our clients, earning crucial yes votes from urban planning boards and private stakeholders.
We’re firm believers that each place possesses intangible qualities that contribute to its true sense of place. At 3North, Intangible Qualities (IQ) is both a proprietary visioning and stakeholder engagement tool, as well as the lens through which we design.
Our work has appeared in the pages of Travel & Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Traveler, Virginia Living, and other publications. And we’re especially proud of our awards for design excellence, environmental sustainability, and historic preservation. With a Mid-Atlantic presence that extends throughout the U.S., Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom, our scope is global but our values remain decidedly local.
Our name is a nod to 3 North Lombardy Street, where we first opened our doors in 1999. Since then 3North has grown, expanded, and evolved, but our core belief endures: Good design changes lives, but great design transforms them. We invite you to explore our portfolio and contact us to learn more.
Our team of architects, landscape architects, interior and graphic designers work in concert with our principals and in-house project managers to offer a full range of design services to 3North clients:
3North is led by six principals who collectively hold professional degrees and licenses in architecture, landscape architecture and interior design. The 3North leadership team includes experts in master planning, site design, urban planning, feasibility reports, and a variety of architectural services. As a result, we’re well equipped to oversee multi-faceted projects with numerous design challenges while providing a streamlined experience for our clients. Our experience across all design disciplines results in a comprehensive approach to projects that enables us to deliver holistic design solutions, superior cost control and efficient execution for our clients.
3North’s open and collaborative environment works to unify teamwork, foster creativity, and highlight unique perspectives. Both inside and outside of the office, we enjoy spending time together through company activities such as 3North’s annual Triangle Awards and other team building events throughout the year.
We believe people, places, organizations and communities possess identities that should be considered as part of the design process and we are deeply committed to learning, understanding and acting with intelligence.
We believe intangible qualities shape experiences. Through our work, we strive to design holistic experiences, integrating a variety of design disciplines and styles.
We believe great work and great people possess integrity. We are driven by a desire to be honest in our work and relationships. We understand that a culture of integrity creates strong bonds and lasting partnerships.
We’re deeply committed to supporting and advocating for non-profit organizations in our local community. Aside from these projects, we have most recently lent our time to partnering with developers, city officials, and community members on proposed locations for bike racks and tree wells throughout Richmond’s Manchester neighborhood. Individually, our staff dedicate their time to several committees and organizations throughout our city.