about

Formed in February 2022 in response to demand by public institutions for mission-driven architectural services, Building Bureau Inc is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization based in the United States. We work as designers, architects, engineers, and researchers and are eligible for grants and tax-exempt donations in support of our mission:

to further the social impact of public organizations and civic institutions through architecture, while promoting stewardship of the built environment through research and educational programs.

हाम्रो समाजम मानब निर्मित संरचनाहरूको नाप्नसकिने खालको असर हुन्छ, जस्तै निर्माणको योजना, त्यो योजनालाई कसले प्रयोग गर्छ भन्ने कुरा सार्बजनिक चासोको बिषय हो।  सार्बजनिक संस्थाहरुको आवश्यकतालाई मध्यनजर गरी एउटा उद्देश्यपूर्ण निर्माण-सेवाको रुपमा २०२२ सालको फेब्रुवरी महिनामामा बिल्डिंग ब्यूरो गठन गरियो। यो संस्था एउटा ५०३(c)(३) मा दर्ता भई एउटा परोपकारी संस्थाको रूपमा गठन गरिएको छ।  यो संस्थाले कसैले सहयोग वा दानपुण्यका लागि प्राप्त रकमको कर तिर्नु पर्दैन। यसबाट निर्माणको मध्यमले सेवा सद्भाव, अनुसन्धान र शैक्षिक कार्यक्रमहरूलाई उजागर गर्दै, सामाजिक लक्ष्य र उद्देश्य प्राप्त गर्न सहायता मिल्दछ भन्ने हाम्रो बिश्वास रहेको छ। ■

services

Building Bureau is a bridge between governmental, conventional market-driven companies, and community groups. We deliver design and consulting services that are complementary to the private and public sectors. In addition to our services, we also conduct scholarly research for purposes of public education.

Figure | Our rendition of Victor Pestoff’s “Welfare Triangle” showing the “Third Sector” at the nexus of public and private, formal and informal, and for-profit and nonprofit entities.

We offer the following services:

design

We work with stakeholders through all phases of design — from early schematic ideas through design development and construction documents.

master planning

We provide phased planning services for future sustainable growth, resiliency, and community.

mission advocacy

We advocate for mission-driven projects, helping clients define mission, secure partnerships, and align vision with long-term goals.

feasibility studies

We focus on environment, resource stewardship, and site potential, aligning locally-available resources and construction feasibility.

material consultation

We advise on sustainable, locally available, and culturally appropriate materials from the project inception.

project management

We guide the timeline and budget and coordinate among the project team and stakeholders.

marketing & fundraising

We support our client partners through fundraising efforts to attract donors and financial backing.

collaboration

Through close collaboration with international partners, we offer a range of services that go beyond a typical architectural practice, continually learning from our partners and adapting to each project’s unique context. ■

How can an architecture firm be a nonprofit?

Building Bureau is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. This means we exist to serve the public good—not private profit. Unlike a traditional firm, we have no owners or shareholders. All revenue goes back into our mission: delivering design services that advance equity, education, health, and environmental stewardship.

Are you allowed to charge for services?

Yes. The IRS allows nonprofits to charge fees if those services directly support their mission. Many nonprofits do this—think of nonprofit hospitals, museums, or schools. Our fees simply cover project costs and help sustain our ability to provide design services for the public benefit.

Do you compete with for-profit architecture firms?

No. Our focus is mission-driven work with public institutions, cultural organizations, and communities who often lack access to high-quality design. In fact, we often collaborate with for-profit firms, serving as partners on projects where our nonprofit mission adds value.

How is my project different if I work with you?

You receive the same level of professional service as with any architecture firm, but with added benefits:

  • Transparency | We reinvest every surplus dollar back into our public mission.

  • Alignment | Your project contributes to a larger public good.

  • Partnerships | We leverage grants, philanthropy, and collaborations to strengthen your project.

How do I know you’re accountable?

All 501(c)(3) nonprofits are overseen by an independent board of directors and must file detailed annual reports (IRS Form 990), which are public. We are held to high standards of transparency and cannot distribute profits to individuals.

Who else works this way?

We’re proud to be part of a growing field of nonprofit design practices, including MASS Design Group, GA Collaborative, and Inscape Publico— all recognized leaders in socially impactful architecture. ■

credentials

conferences

  • “The Two Tectonics in Himalayan Geology and Nepali Architecture,” Society of Architectural Historians 79th Annual International Conference, Mexico City, Mexico, April 15-19, 2026.

  • “Material Resilience in the Context of Nepal,” Rocky Mountain Natural Building Conference, Bozeman, Montana, September 20, 2025.

  • “Back to Earth: Advancing Mud Construction in the Himalayas,” African Urbanisms Conference, Session 18: Material Practices That Liberate Self-Builders, University of the Witwatersrand,Johannesburg, South Africa, October 24, 2024.

  • “Pedological Pedagogy,” 2024 International Conference, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), Querétaro, México, June 28, 2024.

  • “Mountain Construction Ecologies: Case Studies from Montana & Nepal,” Minds on Mountains 2024, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, April 26, 2024.

  • “Unmaking Capital: Alternative Practices in the Global South,” with Dr. Yutaka Sho, ABC School 2023 (sponsored by the Architecture Lobby), September 2023. (Organizer)

  • “Nature-based Solutions for Conservation and Sustainable Development,” International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), August 26, 2022.

  • “Keynote: Sustainable Building Practice,” Gaatha/Sustainable Future Nepal, June 10, 2022.

lectures

  • “The Architecture of Earth,” Dr. Ezgi Balkanay’s “Sustainable Cities” seminar, Montana State University, February 9, 2026.

  • “Peripheral Practice: Building Bureau in the Critical Zone,” Donghwan Moon’s “Critical Zone” seminar, NC State University School of Architecture, Raleigh, North Carolina, January 28, 2026.

  • “Access & Advocacy,” Melissa Ragain’s Art & Activism seminar, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, November 4, 2025.

  • "Outside-In: From Montana to Nepal,” Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, February 20, 2025.

  • “Earth Construction Practices in Nepal,” Bardiya National Park Buffer Zone Headquarters, Thakurdwara, Nepal, February 9th, 2025.

  • “Peripheral Practice: Building Bureau in the Critical Zone,” Donghwan Moon’s “Critical Zone” seminar, NC State University School of Architecture, Raleigh, North Carolina, February 5, 2025.

  • “Construction Ecologies: Gallery Talk & Discussion,” Foreground Gallery, Imagine Butte Resource Center, Butte, Montana, September 21, 2024.

  • “On a Mission: Building Bureau in Montana and Nepal,” Rotary Club of Sunrise Bozeman, Bozeman, Montana, September 6, 2024.

  • “Ephemeral Habitats,” Tecnológico de Monterrey, Puebla, Mexico, September 19, 2023.

  • “Here and There: Practice in the Global South,” Montana State University School of Architecture, September 26, 2022.

workshops

  • “Construction Ecologies: Natural Paint Workshop,” Foreground Gallery, Imagine Butte Resource Center, Butte, Montana, September 21, 2024.

  • “The Transformative Power of Design: Comfort, Carbon, Craft,” Tecnológico de Monterrey, Puebla, Mexico, July 10-12, 2023.

exhibitions

  • “Community Engaged Design,” Foreground Gallery, Imagine Butte Resource Center, Butte, Montana, November 15-30, 2024.

  • “Construction Ecologies,” Foreground Gallery, Imagine Butte Resource Center, Butte, Montana, August 1 - October 1, 2024.

  • with Chere LeClair, FAIA, “An Architecture for Veterans,” Cheever Hall Architecture Gallery, Montana State University, November 2023.

press & citations

awards

  • Special Mention: Ekuwa Health Post, A+ Awards, 2025.

  • Winner: Tatopani Hospital, Conceptual category, Architecture Masterprize, 2022.

  • Finalist: Tatopani Hospital, Unbuilt Sustainable Non-Residential Project, A+ Awards, 2023.

  • Finalist: Bethany Home for Children, Unbuilt Sustainable Residential Project, A+ Awards, 2023.